Doesn't happen everytime - once in awhile when I turn on the headlights the engine dies? Starts right back up no problem and runs O.K. until the lights are cycled again.
With the car idling in the drive I turned the headlights on and off several times. The engine will die 1 time out of about 5 tries. On one try the headlights went down and the lights were still on. Kind of strange to say the least

I didn't find much info on this from a search. Headlight relay and switch are the logical E-demon hiding places.

Has anyone else seen this problem or have any ideas?

Many thanks,

 

Tom, mine does that sometimes, Ive changed the headlight relay, with no aval.

 

I'd clean all the grounds - but most especially those at the front where the headlights are (near the ignition final stages) and the 2 above the CE panel. Clean all the ring terminals attached there too.

Alan

 

Mine did that once.
But that was used to diagnose a low output alternator.

Does the car die only at idle? Will cycling the headlights with engine at 1,500revs'ish cause the engine to die?
And have you checked the lockring for the headlight actuation arm so there's no chance of putting a hole in the radiator?

Wonder what Klaus/Hans/Juergen was dinking when they designed a headlight actuation failure mode that destroys the radiator.

 

Sounds like the relay might not be the problem in some cases. I will check grounds and connections and look for corrosion.

I have only tested at idle since that is the condition it failed in. I was at a stoplight and since it was getting dark I turned on my headlights. When I did the engine died. I will try turning on the headlights at a higher engine speed and see what happens.

Yes, I have checked the lockring for the headlight arm and I do so often on both cars as I do not want to buy a new radiator.
The headlight arm design must have had one of those cost reductions that won someone on the design team an ata-boy but later became a nightmare for the service department.

Thanks for the help,

 

I failed to mention I did clean all of my grounds. The car will do it at speed as well, sometimes.

 

He he he he..... So almost 3 years ago I had this problem where the engine dies when I turn ON the headlights.
I never did find the problem and eventually I had to pull the transmission and did a bunch of drive line work.
I've been driving it now for about 3 weeks.

So.... this morning I shut OFF the headlights and the engine died!
But when I turn the headlights on the engine is fine! ha..ha ..ha .. ha ... ha

I love my 928 ... I love my 928.... I love my 928!

 

Did you ever clean the grounds - up or down its the same motor current... I'll bet either way will do it some of the time...

Alan

 

Hi Alan,

While doing the transmission work, I cleaned the grounds under the car and one or two in the engine bay. The main ones at the CE panel need cleaning and I think these maybe the ones that might correct the issue.

Thanks,