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Fitment Guaranteed for 1987 Porsche 928

What Size Bulbs Does a 1987 Porsche 928 Use?

Correct headlight, fog light, and tail light bulb sizes. Sourced from OEM catalog data.

Installation Difficulty

Hard (Tight clearances)

Est. Replacement Cost

$15 - $40 (Halogen) / $30+ (LED)

What Lighting System Does the 1987 Porsche 928 Have?

The 1987 Porsche 928 features an extensive lighting system with 11 bulb positions. It uses halogen technology with a single 9004 LED dual-filament bulb handling both low and high beams. The 928 has been available from 1981 to 1995, and the 1987 model falls in the mid-generation years.

Can You Put LED Bulbs in a 1987 Porsche 928?

Upgrading the 1987 Porsche 928 to LED headlights is straightforward since it uses a single 9004 LED dual-filament bulb for both low and high beams. You only need one pair of LED bulbs to upgrade both functions. Look for a 9004 LED LED kit that specifically supports dual-filament operation to ensure both beams work correctly. For the fog lights, a H3 LED LED bulb provides a clean white output that pairs well with LED headlights.

How to Replace Bulbs on a 1987 Porsche 928

To remove the headlight bulb, disconnect the wiring harness, then twist the bulb counter-clockwise and pull it straight out of the housing. Porsche vehicles are known for tight engine bay clearances around the headlight assembly. You may need to remove the air intake duct, battery cover, or wheel well liner to access the bulbs. Budget 30 to 45 minutes per side for your first replacement. When installing the new bulb, avoid touching the glass with bare fingers. Skin oils create hot spots that shorten bulb life. Wear clean gloves or handle the bulb by its plastic base only. The fog lights are accessed from underneath the front bumper. You may need to remove a few plastic clips or screws from the fender liner to reach the H3 LED fog light socket.

Full Upgrade Bundle

Upgrade All 11 Positions at Once

Low Beam: 9004 LEDHigh Beam: 9004 LEDFog Light: H3 LEDBrake Light: 7506 LEDSide Marker: 5008 LEDTurn Signal Front: 7506 LEDTurn Signal Rear: 7506 LEDReverse Light: 7506License Plate: 6418Parking Light: 5008Trunk Light: LED Light
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How Long Do 1987 Porsche 928 Headlight Bulbs Last?

Standard halogen headlights on the 1987 Porsche 928 have an expected lifespan of 500 to 1,000 hours, which works out to roughly 2 to 3 years of normal use. Signs of a failing halogen bulb include noticeably dimmer output, a yellowish tint compared to the other headlight, or intermittent flickering. At 39 years old, the original bulbs on your 928 are likely overdue for replacement. Even if they still illuminate, reduced brightness significantly impacts nighttime safety. When one headlight burns out, replace both sides at the same time. Bulbs from the same batch age at similar rates, and mismatched brightness is distracting to oncoming drivers.

What Bulbs Are Compatible with the 1987 Porsche 928?

The 9004 low beam bulb on the 1987 Porsche 928 is a specific fitment. There are no widely recognized cross-compatible alternatives, so make sure to purchase the exact 9004 size. Using the wrong bulb size can cause improper beam patterns that reduce your visibility and blind other drivers. It can also cause overheating inside the headlight housing, potentially warping the plastic lens or reflector. Always verify the bulb number before purchasing.

1987 Porsche 928 Headlight FAQ

The 1987 Porsche 928 uses a 9004 LED bulb for the low beam headlights. We recommend upgrading to LED for better visibility.

The high beam bulb size for the 1987 Porsche 928 is 9004 LED.

The 1987 Porsche 928 uses a single bulb (dual filament) headlight system. This means one bulb controls both high and low beams.

Yes, the 1987 Porsche 928 comes with standard halogen bulbs from the factory, but they can be upgraded to LED. You will need a 9004 LED LED conversion kit for the low beams.

Yes, the 1987 Porsche 928 takes a H3 LED bulb for the fog light position.

Turn off the vehicle and open the hood. Locate the headlight assembly from behind, remove the dust cover or retaining clip, disconnect the wiring harness, twist the old 9004 LED bulb counter-clockwise to remove it, then insert the new bulb and reassemble. The whole process typically takes 10 to 30 minutes per side depending on accessibility.

LED bulbs used off-road or in auxiliary lights are legal everywhere. For on-road headlight use, legality varies by state. Many states allow LED retrofits as long as the beam pattern meets DOT standards. For the best legal compliance, choose a DOT-approved 9004 LED LED kit that is designed as a direct replacement and produces a proper cutoff pattern without excessive glare.

A pair of halogen 9004 LED bulbs costs $15 to $40, while LED conversion kits run $25 to $60 per pair. If you have a shop do the work, expect an additional $20 to $50 in labor per bulb. Replacing them yourself at home saves the labor cost and usually takes under 30 minutes.

Halogen bulbs produce a warm yellow light (around 3200K), last 500 to 1000 hours, and draw more power. LED bulbs emit a brighter white light (5000-6000K), last 25,000+ hours, and use less energy. LED upgrades for the 9004 LED position are available as direct plug-and-play replacements.

Did Porsche 928 Bulb Sizes Change Over the Years?

Over its production run from 1981 to 1995, the Porsche 928 has seen bulb size changes in the Low Beam, High Beam and Fog Light positions. The 1987 model uses the earlier bulb specification that was in place before the change around 1994. Always verify the exact bulb size for your specific 1987 model year using the chart above, as using the wrong size can result in poor fitment or reduced light output.

Other 928 Years

Other Vehicles That Use 9004 LED Bulbs

These vehicles from other makes also use a 9004 LED low beam bulb: