2002M3Drew

Okay, I finally actually bought one...a 1983 SC! Here's the question...the headlights appear to heave some kind of a short. When I turn on the headlights, the lows come on, but when I move the high beam lever forward to put them on, nothing happens. When I pull the lever back (flash-to-pass), the high beams activate.

The fogs don't work when the lows are on, but if I pull out the fog lever and pull the flash-to-pass lever, the fogs come on with the high beams! Weird, huh? Any ideas? Before realizing that pulling the lever had any effect, I was guessing bulbs and or fuses, but it appears as if everything is functioning. I'm thinking a relay or the high beam stalk itself.

It is makes any difference, the headlights were switched to H4 units.

stefang

911s don't have relays in the headlight circuit. That doesn't mean that your's doesn't have any, since it's a popular upgrade, esp. since someone put H4s in. I'd take a look at the wiring to see if it was altered. The fog light scenario especially makes it sound like someone botched the wiring.

The dimmer switch itself is also known to fail eventually.

Tommy B

congrats drew, it's funny that you and i both bought 911s recently with weirdo electric issues.

my problem is that the turn signals don't work when the headlights are turned on. my fogs are ok though. when i turn the headlights on both indcators in the dash light as if something is shorted.

Good luck with the new ride.

2002M3Drew

Thanks, Tommy. Yeah, I take it all with a grain of salt, being a 21 year old car and all!

HOWIEE

Sounds like the turn signal stalk is burnt out. If you don't put a relay kit on a 911 of our years eventually they fry. Maybe the PO used the high beams alot and it fried the connection. Take out the turn signal stalk and see if you see any burnt parts. The fog light thing is weird, I'm not sure if the power for the fogs comes from the turn signal/high beam switch. If so then that would explain the power not getting to the fogs.

hope this helps.

john walkers workshop

fogs only work with low beams. no low beam power from the dimmer switch, no fogs.

2002M3Drew

Well, I was slightly off in my first assessment. It turns out that when you pull out the light ****, only the high beams come on...no lows, and no fogs. When the flash to pass is activated, then all the lights come on. It sounds like the burned out stalk/switch to me.

BoyT-911

Drew,

I had identical problems in my car before. Spent so many long hours analyzing the wiring system from switch to head lamps and finally decided for a new switch.

And after installing a set of MSucro relay plus a new switch, everything is back to normal. The low beam connections at the turn signal switch looked burned/fused.

Its not difficult to remove/install a turn signal switch. Take your time and simply jot down the wiring connections and follow it for installation. Good luck.....

TD

TMH

Drew,

If you find that your turn signal/headlight dip stalk switch or your headlamp switch are at fault let me know. I am pulling those parts (working) out of an '87 which we are turning into a track-only car. I searched the PET and the stalk switch is the same for an '83 and an '87 (911 613 305 01), as is the headlamp switch. Those switches are $100+ new, and I can make you a deal on one or both used/working.

Tom

2002M3Drew

Well, switched out the turn signal last night and that did the trick! Bac in business!

TMH..thanks anyway, but I needed a quick fix!

bagger

2002M3Drew,

If you still have this car, how many more miles did you put on it and is the turn signal switch that you installed still working?

And either way, was the switch: Porsche Original, OEM, or aftermarket?

Art

r911

you should now add relays

& maybe decent headlights too...

911Dave

This thread is from 2004.

Starbuckslova1

Lol I saw 21 year old car. That was quite some time ago I was born in 1983 lol