FOOTWELL LIGHTS SWITCH MODIFICATION & INSTALLATION FOR SPOILER-EXTENDED LIGHT
The footwell lights switch shown above has been modified internally and installed in a 996. The amber LED illuminates to indicate when the rear spoiler is fully extended.
The toggle switch contacts may be wired to control the On-Board Computer (after activation by a dealer), instead of installing or utilizing a steering column stalk for the functions. Alternatively, the toggle switch may be hooked up to extend and retract the rear spoiler.
-----
The red 24 ga. wire pigtail provides a +12V. input for the two LED's which are isolated from the switch's contacts. This allows the switch contacts to be used for switching a ground input or a +12V. input.
-----
This view shows the switch's printed circuit board before any modifications have been performed. The PCB does not have to be removed from the switch to perform the modifications.
This view shows the board ready to receive the 24 ga. wire lead. At the top center section of the PCB, a portion of conductor is cut and removed from the board. This isolates pin #4 from the anodes of the two LED's. A short section of the conductor's lower path is scraped clean to allow solder to adhere to it. Also, a hole is drilled in the top, right corner of the board. This hole lines up with an extrusion in the base of the switch which the wire will be routed through and out the rear of the switch. After the drill cuts through the board, continue drilling through the back of the switch to provide the exit hole for the wire. Any sharp edge of the hole must be dressed smooth to prevent the wire's insulation from being cut when the wire is bent over flush with the board.
This view shows the 24 ga. wire soldered to the PCB conductor strip which was prepared in the previous view. Solder may be allowed to flow along the conductor to make contact with the end of the upper resistor. The other end of the wire is threaded through the drilled hole, down through the base of the switch and out the rear. A male bayonet connector is crimped onto the end of the wire a couple of inches from the rear of the switch.
In this view, an extension wire has been spliced onto the anode (non-banded) lead of the isolation diode. The diode's cathode (banded) lead is then crimped into a female contact which will be inserted into the FWL switch's electrical connector. The extension wire will be routed to the instrument cluster where it will be spliced with the piece of cut GREY/BROWN wire of one of the cluster's electrical connectors (see wiring diagram, above).
Another extension wire is also crimped with the diode into the contact. This wire is routed to the area behind the instrument cluster where it will be spliced with the other piece of cut GREY/BROWN wire leading to the spoiler actuator.
The diode should be protected with a piece of insulating sleeving or heat-shrinkable tubing slipped over the diode, wire and splice before being crimped into the female terminal.
This view shows the female contact after being inserted into the FWL switch electrical connector housing and the housing's retaining flap snapped shut.
Built - 5/13/01
Updated - 6/2/01
WA4EKG@att.net