Home  |  Forums  |  914 Info  |  Blogs
 
914World.com - The fastest growing online 914 community!
 
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way.
Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
 

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

 
 Reply to this topicStart new topic
> How Do You Get the Center Light to Seat?
EdwardBlume
post Sep 4 2016, 05:44 PM
Post #1


914 Wizard
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 12,338
Joined: 2-January 03
From: SLO
Member No.: 81
Region Association: Central California
I have the interior light in the center of the back pad out and easy to work on. It won't for the life of me click in. What's the secret?
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Mblizzard
post Sep 4 2016, 06:10 PM
Post #2


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 3,033
Joined: 28-January 13
From: Knoxville Tn
Member No.: 15,438
Region Association: South East States
QUOTE(RobW @ Sep 4 2016, 03:44 PM) *

I have the interior light in the center of the back pad out and easy to work on. It won't for the life of me click in. What's the secret?


Pretty sure it is always hot but the door opening provides ground. Check first by grounding light and then each of the the door switches.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
ConeDodger
post Sep 4 2016, 06:31 PM
Post #3


Apex killer!
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 23,614
Joined: 31-December 04
From: Tahoe Area
Member No.: 3,380
Region Association: Northern California
You probably have the VW "replacement" light. I'm having rhe same problem. I just finished building up a new back pad. I called McMark about it earlier this week. I think he's working on a solution, but life is crazy for Mark right now. Just let him know you're interested to see what he can come up with.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
r_towle
post Sep 4 2016, 06:40 PM
Post #4


Custom Member
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 24,591
Joined: 9-January 03
From: Taxachusetts
Member No.: 124
Region Association: North East States
Look at the spring clip where it latches.
Dremel out the back of the pad at that area where it latches to match the thickness required by the latch.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
rgalla9146
post Sep 4 2016, 06:47 PM
Post #5


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,569
Joined: 23-November 05
From: Paramus NJ
Member No.: 5,176
Region Association: None
The lamp is best installed on the back pad before the back pad is installed in the car.
This allows you to press he lamp into the pad while keeping the pad from pushing away from the catch on the lamp.
Once the lamp is set in place attach the wires then install the pad.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
76-914
post Sep 4 2016, 08:54 PM
Post #6


Repeat Offender & Resident Subaru Antagonist
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 13,509
Joined: 23-January 09
From: Temecula, CA
Member No.: 9,964
Region Association: Southern California
It helps if it is an OEM light but you can't push hard enough on those aftermarket lights. The grip depth isn't correct.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
EdwardBlume
post Sep 5 2016, 05:10 AM
Post #7


914 Wizard
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 12,338
Joined: 2-January 03
From: SLO
Member No.: 81
Region Association: Central California
The BP is out as I am reupholstering them. I think I'll cut light then and see what happens.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Darren C
post Sep 5 2016, 05:18 AM
Post #8


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 392
Joined: 26-December 14
From: Chichester UK
Member No.: 18,255
Region Association: England
QUOTE(rgalla9146 @ Sep 5 2016, 01:47 AM) *

The lamp is best installed on the back pad before the back pad is installed in the car.
This allows you to press he lamp into the pad while keeping the pad from pushing away from the catch on the lamp.
Once the lamp is set in place attach the wires then install the pad.


I agree.

The replacement VW and new lamp units have clips that are made for a thinner panel to clip into. (Basically a sheet steel, not a vinyl trimmed fibre board with padding as in the 914) Consequently I had to file the new lamp clip to accept a thicker panel (at the plastic end) and re bend the metal retaining clip the same at the other end.
All best done with panel out the car so you can see whats going on from the other side.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
EdwardBlume
post Sep 5 2016, 06:22 AM
Post #9


914 Wizard
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 12,338
Joined: 2-January 03
From: SLO
Member No.: 81
Region Association: Central California
QUOTE(Darren C @ Sep 5 2016, 04:18 AM) *

QUOTE(rgalla9146 @ Sep 5 2016, 01:47 AM) *

The lamp is best installed on the back pad before the back pad is installed in the car.
This allows you to press he lamp into the pad while keeping the pad from pushing away from the catch on the lamp.
Once the lamp is set in place attach the wires then install the pad.


I agree.

The replacement VW and new lamp units have clips that are made for a thinner panel to clip into. (Basically a sheet steel, not a vinyl trimmed fibre board with padding as in the 914) Consequently I had to file the new lamp clip to accept a thicker panel (at the plastic end) and re bend the metal retaining clip the same at the other end.
All best done with panel out the car so you can see whats going on from the other side.

Thanks for the tip. Better get working!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
davesprinkle
post Sep 5 2016, 09:04 PM
Post #10


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 720
Joined: 13-October 04
From: Berkeley, CA
Member No.: 2,943
Region Association: None
I agree with previous answers that the problem is the later Beetle replacement lights were intended to clip onto thin sheet metal. The clips on these lights are too thin to install into the 914 backpad. I addressed this by cutting the backpad opening slightly oversized (by 1/8" or so). Then I pop-riveted sheet-metal (aluminum will work) onto the back-pad to bring the opening back to its correct size. This leaves you with the correctly-sized opening with thickness that will work with the replacement light. (Obviously, this must be done with upholstery removed.)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
carcus
post Sep 5 2016, 11:34 PM
Post #11


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 223
Joined: 16-March 16
From: Colorado Springs
Member No.: 19,760
Region Association: Rocky Mountains
When I took my seats out for replacement, I put it in with the back pad as stated, perfect fit. Only problem is my VW repro light does not come on anymore when I open the door. Not sure what caused that. My OEM seat light split in half and crumbled. I assume I had all the spade connectors in the right places. I would love to have the light turn on like it did with the OEM piece with the doors open. Right now...stuck for a resolution. Maybe one of the 2 right connectors I have reversed, but I think if that happened the light would not even come on. I actually would like to take it out again and fiddle with it to put in a white LED light. Don't know if I want to mess with it again for now though.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Darren C
post Sep 6 2016, 01:21 AM
Post #12


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 392
Joined: 26-December 14
From: Chichester UK
Member No.: 18,255
Region Association: England
You need to make sure the positive feed is on the non switch end and the two ground wires are on the twin connection end where the switch is. One wire is a permanent ground (to turn on the light when you move the switch) the other is only a ground when the doors open (from the switches by the door hinges)
Pop the light fitting out, take a meter and check you have a live feed first, then check your two grounds, you'll see straight away if you've crossed any wires when you fitted the new light.

It is possible to have the live feed on one of the switch twin connectors and the lamp will light in only one switch position.
Its also possible for the lamp to light in one switch position only if either of the grounds has a fault
The law of averages means that if the lamp wont light in either switch position its more likely to be the positive feed.
That said you do need to check the bulb is good or your falling at the first hurdle

Good luck
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Valy
post Sep 6 2016, 01:52 AM
Post #13


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,677
Joined: 6-April 10
From: Sunnyvale, CA
Member No.: 11,573
Region Association: Northern California
We've been there before. Look at my solution.
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=186657
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
EdwardBlume
post Sep 10 2016, 10:07 PM
Post #14


914 Wizard
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 12,338
Joined: 2-January 03
From: SLO
Member No.: 81
Region Association: Central California
I just finished the back pad


Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
EdwardBlume
post Sep 10 2016, 10:08 PM
Post #15


914 Wizard
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 12,338
Joined: 2-January 03
From: SLO
Member No.: 81
Region Association: Central California
Got the light to seat


Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
EdwardBlume
post Sep 10 2016, 10:10 PM
Post #16


914 Wizard
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 12,338
Joined: 2-January 03
From: SLO
Member No.: 81
Region Association: Central California
Not hard at all


Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image Attached Image
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
EdwardBlume
post Sep 10 2016, 10:12 PM
Post #17


914 Wizard
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 12,338
Joined: 2-January 03
From: SLO
Member No.: 81
Region Association: Central California
Best part was reconstructing the particle board...


Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
ConeDodger
post Sep 10 2016, 10:23 PM
Post #18


Apex killer!
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 23,614
Joined: 31-December 04
From: Tahoe Area
Member No.: 3,380
Region Association: Northern California
Mine is all installed. Looks very good. I think whoever said that the problem with the VW replacement light is that it is intended to be installed to thin sheet metal is spot on. My backpad uses the fiberglass panels supplied by 914Rubber and I find them to be thinner than the pressed board originals. The light popped right in. Never would before.

Never mind the seats. They're next! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/evilgrin.gif)


Attached image(s)
Attached Image
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
« Next Oldest · 914World Garage · Next Newest »
 

Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 

Display Mode: Standard · Switch to: Linear+ · Switch to: Outline

Track this topic · Email this topic · Print this topic · Subscribe to this forum

- Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 10th June 2024 - 10:38 AM
Invision Power Board v9.1.4 © 2024  IPS, Inc.
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community!
We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ...