Ninespub

I raised the headlights manually and checked the fuse (Is there more than one?). The brights and dims both work when up and that indicates (if I read previous postings on this subject correctly) that the relay is good (??). I also noticed a small 5-6" spot on the ground of seemingly "thin" oil underneath the hydraulic lift motor, but do not know if it was there before. So where do I start from here...........or go back to?

Donald

No hydraulics.
Wiggle your key; when the ignition switch wears sufficiently it can be just a scootch off and no lights. Also can kill the speedo. Do not forget to check the circlip for the arm while you are rooting around

WallyP

No hydraulics involved, no oil in the system.

The fuse for the headlamp motor is #27.

There are individual fuses for left/right high/low on the filaments.

Mongo

I had a relay that went bad causing the same issue.

jpitman2

If the ELECTRIC motor that puts the lights up/down is not running, it can be either the big relay, or the contacts inside the motor gearbox. There are tracks on a disc that are wiped by arms to tell the relay if the arm is up or down. Best test of relay is to borrow one that is known to work OK. Some have had success with opening the relay and burnishing the points. It might be worth checking the 4 way plug very close to the motor for clean contacts - 1 wire at a time!
jp 83 Euro S AT 52k, BTDT.

Dean_Fuller

Could be the switch in the pod...per "Wheeler Dealers" 928 episode. Ed China said it was a "common fail point" or something along that line.

Alan

Yes I keep hearing this but it seems to all be bull**** to me... there is certainly no "common" fail mechanism that leads to the lights working but the motor not that is attributable to the switch. Or we'd be hearing it here all the time.

The same switch contact to the relay that makes the headlights go on is the one that raises the lights...

So only if nothing at all happens is the switch a likely culprit. I know the guys on Wheeler Dealers aren't the experts on these cars... The experts are on this forum.

Most faults are in the relay, sometimes in the motor/limit switches.

Alan

Donald

Correct- I was hasty; when my ignition switch is off it affects both lights & motor

Dean_Fuller

I had not heard it before that show either...The older guy with the NICE original 1978 928 on the show ( Wheeler Dealers ) when asked the areas to watch out for when shopping for a 928 said the EXHAUST! He said the exhaust was expensive to put right.

Ninespub

I would like to thank all that replied. I d*cked around with the various stuff that I could, and eventually pulled out the no. 27 fuse that I had tested.......again. It had a layer of sh*t on it so I went and bought some more fuses. Guess what, the lamps pop up just fine now. Checked other fuses and found similar issues. Guess I know what I'll be doing REAL soon. Funny thing though, is that I noticed a little bit of moisture, not water, but almost like a misty, oily feeling on many of them. I know that the upper housing had been cleaned and re-sealed but I wonder if anything else could create that issue, and more importantly, how do I remove it (the moisture) from the panel itself? In any case, thanks again and remember: Relay, Relay, REALLY!; and Fuse, Fuse, FOOL!

WallyP

Paul, I really hope that you did NOT buy any Chinese fuses - they have been known to burn cars...

AO

That misty oily film you feel is probably left-over WD-40 that davek9 sprayed on there after the "flood."

Mongo

Remove computers, disconnect plugs on bottom of panel, unscrew the 2 mount screws, pull panel down and unscrew positive grounds on top of board & behind on firewall, lift out and you're done. Simple as that as you will have moisture behind the panel possibly. I just went through the same thing.

Ninespub

Wally: I got the only fuses they had at Auto Zone, (at least they are not from H.F.)

Andrew: I think you may be right about the WD40, davek9 does use that stuff liberally!

jpitman2

Isnt the circuit (in the big relay) that lights the lamps separate from the lift motor circuit? My lamps dont light until the lift has finished ...
jp 83 Euro S AT 52k