sweet928

Strange thing. My headlight switch bulb lights, but it barely lights up the headlight icon on the switch facing. Any reason why it would not glow like all the others? My other switches all light up just fine. Doesn't make sense. Any ideas?

tailpipe

light has fallen out of the socket in the switch maybe i don't know for sure just throwing it out there

WallyP

Some possibilities:
- Dirty bulb or housing.
- Wrong bulb.
- Old bulb.
- High-resistance connection on power or ground side.

It should be getting the same voltage as all the other instrument lamps.

davek9

+ 928 on that !
I have seen many of them dirty inside and just old bulbs, as the Headlight **** is lit whenever the key is on, and not just when the light are on like the others.

DaveK9

sweet928

Can the switch housing be cleaned or do I have to get a new one? The bulb appears bright when I pull off the switch.

sweet928

Ok, I pulled off all the switches. Here's the deal. All my bulbs are dim except the fog light switch. When the fog lights are on it's very bright. Also when the odometer switch is pushed it goes bright. But only when depressed. The wiper switch goes bright when turned on -- as does the rear defrost. When they are off, the are dim, but not as dim as the headlight switch. Do old bulbs get dim over time or just stop working?

How do I check the voltage on these little bulb sockets?

dr bob

From now on I'll just describe myself as an "old bulb". Much easier than the normal apologies and explanations.

Mrmerlin

clean the bulb and the inside of the switch cover and put it back together.
there is nothing wrong with your switch or light,
But trying to fix something thats not broken could result in a fried harness.
just drive it!
The switch bulb is not meant to light up brightly just a guide when its dark and the key is on.

SteveG

Dr. Bob, no one would say you are dim. BUT does the '79 have the rheostat? Or does it even affect those switches? Those need replacing, not one of Porsche's better days. I replaced one on the '85, made it marginally better.

928Collector

When i turn my head light switch clock wise it should turn on / raise the headlights. This was working then it stopped working. Its not a fuse/relay. Can anyone confirm to raise the headlights the light switch should be turned clockwise? also any advice on removing the headlight switch much appreciated. I'm a low/mid level wrencher..
1980 Porsche 928 (5 speed).

Alan

The switch has 3 positions: 0 = Off, 1 = Marker lights only, 2 = Headlights on. The pods should raise when you turn the switch to position 2 and should retract when you turn the switch to 0

How do you know its not a Fuse or Relay? - there isn't much else to it but the motor & wiring. Make sure you electrically checked Fuse 19 on an '80 - that is the fuse for the headlight motor, also check the connector for the headlight motor. Do you marker lights work? Try rotating the motor by hand (**** on top possibly under a rubber cover) - when they are up do they work with the light switch? does position 0 make them go down?

Alan