On Board Instruments Boxster 2.5

[valcax]

I have some questions after reading owner manual boxster MY01. My 986 is MY99.

1. There is a illumination sensor on board to give accurate intensity to light board. My On board instruments only turns on when position light is on. Is it broken?

2. To turn key, fourteen warning lights turn on, but there is no light for luggage compartments lids. Is it broken?

3. In owner manual, digital speedometer is under analogic speedometer, but my digital speedometer is in centre, just under tachometer. ... Is it normal?

4. I have been able to see a warning light turned off with "CAT" or so, in yellow. What Is?

:help: :help: :help:

Regards.

Edited September 1, 2005 by valcax

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

I have a 99MY boxster also, and there are differences between the '99 and '01.

1. I'm unclear as to what you mean. I believe you mean that the digitals don't light up unless the car's headlights are on? There is a Rheostat for the instrument display and this may be set at it's lowest. It is the Clock Set knob. When you set the Clock, you must first push this knob, then turning the knob will alter the Clock. If you do not push the knob in, it is in the Rheostat or dimmer mode. Turning it clockwise/anti-clockwise changes the intensity of the instument illumination.

2. There is no Boot Ajar Warning Light.

3. On the MY99, the digital Speedometer readout is below the Tach in the Center dial.

4. The Warning Light labled CAT is a Fault Indicator for the Catalytic Converter. You should only see it upon the Light Check upon startup or if the O² Sensors indicate a malfunctioning Catalytic Converter (OBDII)

Hope this helps.

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Edited September 2, 2005 by MNBoxster

[valcax]

Hi,

      I have a 99MY boxster also, and there are differences between the '99 and '01.

1. I'm unclear as to what you mean. I believe you mean that the digitals don't light up unless the car's headlights are on? There is a Rheostat for the instrument display and this may be set at it's lowest. It is the Clock Set knob. When you set the Clock, you must first push this knob, then turning the knob will alter the Clock. If you do not push the knob in, it is in the Rheostat or dimmer mode. Turning it clockwise/anti-clockwise changes the intensity of the instument illumination.

2.  There is no Boot Ajar Warning Light.

3. On the MY99, the digital Speedometer readout is below the Tach in the Center dial.

4. The Warning Light labled CAT is a Fault Indicator for the Catalytic Converter.  You should only see it upon the Light Check upon startup or if the O² Sensors indicate a malfunctioning Catalytic Converter (OBDII)

      Hope this helps.

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for your help!!

1. There is a illumination sensor just on tachometer, when headlights are off, this sensor catchs exterior light and gives accurate light intensity on board instrument. But Mine only light up when position lights are on.

2. "Boot Ajar"? :o

3. Ok, I see it is normal

4. CAT light is always off, even when turning key, ......broken bulb?

[valcax]

Here a pic to explain....."

:help: :help: :help: :help: :help:

Edited September 4, 2005 by valcax

[Stefan]

I think the "boot ajar" light you are referring to is the spoiler speed sensor light. It goes on until the car senses movement. This is to ensure that the spoiler will go up at 75 mph (a safety issue).

The "sensor illumination" light you are pointing out is the overrev indicator. It goes on when you rev the engine too high. It also goes on during the light test (when you turn on the ignition but don't start the car).

Be happy that the digital speedometer is under the tachometer (which is correct for a MY99). That is a much better position for it. Many people complained when they moved it under the analog speedometer and I believe they eventually moved it back.

[ar38070]

I have some questions after reading owner manual boxster MY01. My 986 is MY99.

1. There is a illumination sensor on board to give accurate intensity to light board. My On board instruments only turns on when position light is on. Is it broken?

2. To turn key, fourteen warning lights turn on, but there is no light for luggage compartments lids.  Is it broken?

3. In owner manual, digital speedometer is under analogic speedometer, but my digital speedometer is in centre, just under tachometer. ... Is it normal?

4. I have been able to see a warning light turned off with "CAT" or so, in yellow. What Is?

:help:  :help:  :help:

Regards.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You need to get the right manual.

1. It is a sensor not a light. It reads ambient light and adjusts the instrument lighting accordingly. It is not supposed to light up.

2. There is no luggage compartment light. There are two blank spots in the warning lights that are not used. There should only be 14 lights.

3. Yes this is normal. Get the right manual.

4. It is either something that only lights in a real emergency or more likely, as it is not mentioned in the manual, it is something that Porche thought of using and then decided not to.

[Loren]

I have some questions after reading owner manual boxster MY01. My 986 is MY99.

1. There is a illumination sensor on board to give accurate intensity to light board. My On board instruments only turns on when position light is on. Is it broken?

2. To turn key, fourteen warning lights turn on, but there is no light for luggage compartments lids.  Is it broken?

3. In owner manual, digital speedometer is under analogic speedometer, but my digital speedometer is in centre, just under tachometer. ... Is it normal?

4. I have been able to see a warning light turned off with "CAT" or so, in yellow. What Is?

:help:  :help:  :help: 

Regards.

A MY01 Boxster cluster is the newer type and quite different from the pre MY01 cars - apples and oranges. Here is the cluster arrangement for a MY99 Boxster (from the service manual):

Item 10 -

10. Light sensor for instrument illumination. Installation position: on the right beneath the rpm band in the tachometer. Illumination of the instruments is adapted automatically according to the surrounding brightness via the light sensor.

Q is the check engine light (CEL) - it will light up solid if there is an emissions fault. If there is an emissions fault that could damage the catalytic convertors then it will flash. The car should not be driven if the CEL is flashing.

There is no "CAT" light.

[valcax]

I have some questions after reading owner manual boxster MY01. My 986 is MY99.

1. There is a illumination sensor on board to give accurate intensity to light board. My On board instruments only turns on when position light is on. Is it broken?

2. To turn key, fourteen warning lights turn on, but there is no light for luggage compartments lids.  Is it broken?

3. In owner manual, digital speedometer is under analogic speedometer, but my digital speedometer is in centre, just under tachometer. ... Is it normal?

4. I have been able to see a warning light turned off with "CAT" or so, in yellow. What Is?

:help:  :help:  :help: 

Regards.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A MY01 Boxster cluster is the newer type and quite different from the pre MY01 cars - apples and oranges. Here is the cluster arrangement for a MY99 Boxster (from the service manual):

Item 10 -

10. Light sensor for instrument illumination. Installation position: on the right beneath the rpm band in the tachometer. Illumination of the instruments is adapted automatically according to the surrounding brightness via the light sensor.

Q is the check engine light (CEL) - it will light up solid if there is an emissions fault. If there is an emissions fault that could damage the catalytic convertors then it will flash. The car should not be driven if the CEL is flashing.

There is no "CAT" light.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But then my sensor illumination doesn´t work....... because there is no illumination

when lights are off and environment is dark ........ When "sensor illumination" works ? I need info to know if I have a problem. :o

Edited September 5, 2005 by valcax

[Loren]

The individual button (4 in the diagram) can be used to dim the instrument and switch brightness by hand when the vehicle lighting is switched on.

If that does not work it could be your sensor. The only test I am aware of for the sensor requires a PST2 (or PIWIS) tester - then if the sensor is bad you have to replace the whole cluster.

[valcax]

The individual button (4 in the diagram) can be used to dim the instrument and switch brightness by hand when the vehicle lighting is switched on.

Yes, that works! when lights are on the switch works ok ...

But when lights are off No light on cluster !! .... <_< <_< <_<

[Loren]

Well it sure looks like a bad sensor...

Here are (good) readings on my car.

First with ambient light in my garage

And, then with a small flashlight pointed at the sensor

[valcax]

Well it sure looks like a bad sensor...

Here are (good) readings on my car.

First with ambient light in my garage

And, then with a small flashlight pointed at the sensor

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Loren, when lights are off.... cluster is illuminated?

[Loren]

Yes. These readings were taken with the lights off and the display lit.

[valcax]

But then... cluster is ALWAYS lit? (with more or less intensity....)

[Loren]

Yes.

If the illumination control works with the lights on (as you said above) then it really has to be the sensor.

[valcax]

Yes.

If the illumination control works with the lights on (as you said above) then it really has to be the sensor.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Illumination control does not work with lights on.

When lights on, intensity can be changed with switch.

When lights off, cluster is not lit.

[0586slb]

Valcax,

Would you describe exactly what you are expecting to see? The entire panel illuminates when you switch the exterior lights on, is adjustable for intensity with the control above the clocks. During daylight, the sensor within the rev counter will automatically adjust the intensity of the digital displays *only*. It will not switch the dial illumination on or control its intensity.

If you can see the digits comfortably in all day and night conditions, everything is working OK.

[Loren]

Illumination control does not work with lights on.

It is not supposed to. The manual control works when the lights are. That is normal.

When lights on, intensity can be changed with switch.

That is the correct function.

When lights off, cluster is not lit.

Take it to a shop that has a PST2 (like in my photos above) and have them check the sensor. I still think it is the sensor and I think the only fix is a new cluster.

We are beating a dead horse here...

[valcax]

Valcax,

Would you describe exactly what you are expecting to see? The entire panel illuminates when you switch the exterior lights on, is adjustable for intensity with the control above the clocks. During daylight, the sensor within the rev counter will automatically adjust the intensity of the digital displays *only*. It will not switch the dial illumination on or control its intensity.

If you can see the digits comfortably in all day and night conditions, everything is working OK.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

After reading your post I suppose 0586lb is in the right way

Let´s see....

..... there are two kinds of illumination in cluster:

1) Entire panel: Only lights when switch exterior lights. Can be adjusted by switch on cluster.

2) Digital displays: can not be adjusted by switch on cluster. Here is where sensor illumination works. When environment light is dark, digital display is darker. When environment light is clear, digital display is clearer. Always to keep optimal vision of digital displays.

Am I right? :) :) :)

Edited September 6, 2005 by valcax

[valcax]

Valcax,

Would you describe exactly what you are expecting to see? The entire panel illuminates when you switch the exterior lights on, is adjustable for intensity with the control above the clocks. During daylight, the sensor within the rev counter will automatically adjust the intensity of the digital displays *only*. It will not switch the dial illumination on or control its intensity.

If you can see the digits comfortably in all day and night conditions, everything is working OK.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

After reading your post I suppose 0586lb is in the right way

Let´s see....

..... there are two kinds of illumination in cluster:

1) Entire panel: Only lights when switch exterior lights. Can be adjusted by switch on cluster.

2) Digital displays: can not be adjusted by switch on cluster. Here is where sensor illumination works. When environment light is dark, digital display is darker. When environment light is clear, digital display is clearer. Always to keep optimal vision of digital displays.

Am I right? :) :) :)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Please confirm my reply.....

Edited September 12, 2005 by valcax

[Sandy]

Valcax,

Would you describe exactly what you are expecting to see? The entire panel illuminates when you switch the exterior lights on, is adjustable for intensity with the control above the clocks. During daylight, the sensor within the rev counter will automatically adjust the intensity of the digital displays *only*. It will not switch the dial illumination on or control its intensity.

If you can see the digits comfortably in all day and night conditions, everything is working OK.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

After reading your post I suppose 0586lb is in the right way

Let´s see....

..... there are two kinds of illumination in cluster:

1) Entire panel: Only lights when switch exterior lights. Can be adjusted by switch on cluster.

2) Digital displays: can not be adjusted by switch on cluster. Here is where sensor illumination works. When environment light is dark, digital display is darker. When environment light is clear, digital display is clearer. Always to keep optimal vision of digital displays.

Am I right? :) :) :)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Please confirm my reply.....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry, but you still don't have it exactly right. Let me try this:

First; there is separate INSTRUMENT FACE lighting and DIGITAL DISPLAY lighting on the cluster.

1. The INSTRUMENT FACE lighting illuminates ONLY when you have your exterior lights on. They have ONLY manual intensity control using the left-hand knob, which has a bulb symbol on it.

2. The DIGITAL DISPLAYS are illuminated when you have the ignition on, OR, you have your exterior lights on, OR, when you momentarily press down on either knob on the instrument cluster with the ign. off.

Their intensity is controlled ONLY by the light sensor (high end of the tach.) when ONLY the ignition is on, OR, when you momentarily press down either knob on the instrument cluster with the ign. off.

Their intensity is controlled by BOTH the light sensor AND the left-hand knob whenever your EXTERIOR LIGHTS ARE ON.

So, basically, if your words "ENTIRE PANEL" are referring to the INSTRUMENT FACE lighting, your statement 1) is correct.

Your statement 2) is incorrect, because when your exterior lights are on, the DIGITAL DISPLAY lighting can be controlled by the light sensor AND the left-hand knob.

I have verified the above functions on my '99 996 Coupe. I guess the cluster illumination operation could possibly be different for a 986, but it would really surprise me.

[valcax]

I think Sensor illumination is off when exterior lights are on. Digital D

display only can be controlled by left hand knob.

[valcax]

Sandy, when key is in position "1" with engine off (before ignition)

What about digital displays illumination? is It controlled by sensor?

:lightbulb:

Edited September 14, 2005 by valcax