Switch for Interior lights

[thboxster]

I switched on the interior lights of the car over the weekend, as it was dark outside and it suddenly struck me as a little odd.

Why is there a special interior light switch button on the dash board, as well as being able to flick the main light above the rear view mirror, which has the same effect?

And, I also found a little switch behind the rear view mirror which adjusts the amount of orange glow that comes into the cockpit. A very nice touch

 

[JCB..]

I don't have any of the things you describe in my MY00 2.7.

JCB..

 

[Dapster]

Don't think I have them either on my MY 01 2.7.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

You don't have the footwell lighting option or something do you?

 

[thboxster]

Footwell lights - yes.

Finally found time to look in the manual as well, and it is because of these.

The other button behind the rear view mirror is to control the orientation light.

As the old addage goes, RTFM.

 

[Guest]

Most cars should have the Orange glow from the mirrors, although it is adjusted by pressing a small button with a pen on mine.
Mind you, I do have a 2002 2.7 with Sound pack (which gives lights on doors)..

 

[evoke]

The 'orange glow' comes from LED's located in the rear-view mirror and the door handles. They are known as orientation lights to help night-time driving. But, I feel that they are a waste of time as the glow is too dim even when turned up full.

Is there any way to make these useful? (i.e. much brighter).

 

[Guest]

The 'orange glow' comes from LED's located in the rear-view mirror and the door handles.

Now, this is not someone being helpful, but I would like to know what the LEDs are for (not being a Boxster owner).

I assume the door handle ones are so as to be able to locate the handle - are they exterior or interior ?
The rear view mirror - why do you need to be able to find it at night ?

OK, maybe stupid questions, but....

They presumably can be made even brighter by passing even more current through them - change value of dimmer ? Of course, too much current, and they go very dark !

 

[evoke]

John, the door-handle LED's (interior) are to help you locate the door handles at night. The rear-view mirror LED (which points downward) is there to help you read stuff off maps/magazines.

If only I could locate the 'orange glow'! LOL!

If you put your hand up to the rear-view mirror you will see a very faint orange glow. The LED itself is located in the mirror housing. Utterly useless!

 

[Guest]

One solution would seem to be to replace the mirror LED with a HighBrightness white/UV one. LEDs are of standard sizes, so, assuming that the mirror housing can be opened, then changing the LED should be easy (possibly adding another one/two etc. ?).
These are the LEDs that are used in LED torches.
They are cheap, as well !

 

[evoke]

Another problem I find is actually finding the courtesy light switch near the rear-view mirror whilst driving at night. The switch itself is not illuminated so it is almost impossible to locate at night. I carry a torch to illuminate the interior!

But all this pales into insignificance when one applies pressure on the accerator pedal

 

[JCB..]

I have lights in the doors but I don't have any 'orange glow' in my cabin.

I had the MY00 Sport Pack.

JCB..

 

[Guest]

Us people with 'older' cars are lucky in this, as we have very few illuminated bits !

Having said that, I never have trouble finding the door handles, interior lights (above each person - no common switch !), and any other of the myriad switches dotted haphazzardly around the cabin. After a short while, you just get to know these things - I can even find the window switches in the dark, and they are black on a dark blue background !
You modern cars drivers, I don't know,...............