Black Tipped Shark

Hi. Does anyone know how to manually crank up headlights? Narrative and pictures if possible would be much appreciated. Fuse is good and relay is good. Thanks so much! Rich

MainePorsche

Just medial to the Left (Drivers) headlight there is a cylindrical rubber boot which covers the headlight motor. On top there is the manual ****. Turn clockwise. As you note the linkage moving note that you have 'E' or 'C' clips present that will keep the arm on otherwise you could end up blasting the linkage through your radiator.

What year is your car ? This makes a difference regarding motion of the motor.

MainePorsche

Pics of headlight motor apparatus and of an E clip.

tailpipe

Change relay number 3 on the posted charts it should make them work been dealing with light issues here for awhile. Did some testing last night and found that just about any 5 pin relay will work there.

jeff spahn

It might be obvious to us but to the OP it might not. Remove the rubber cover before you try to turn the ****.

MainePorsche

You're right.
Good point Jeff.

jeff spahn

Thanks. Was reading your posts in Interview the person below you. sorry about that little girl you saw in your trauma room. I tell my kids I keep a bag packed ready to go to prison for murder if I catch someone who ever does anything like that to them.

MainePorsche

Thanks Jeff, your thoughtfulness is Kind.
As a defense mechanism for what I do, I de-sensitize myself too much. That was when I was a Senior Resident in a dirty Trauma Center. Her injuries were so incredible, we all paused... The cretin was arrested smoking a cigarette outside the ED - life no parole in Cali. I hope he is doing well in his new residence. If it were up to me he would have not one more thought, not one more breath.

Black Tipped Shark

Thanks for the info. I will try these suggestions in the morning. I'll let you know how it works out. It's a1990 S4. Thanks again. Rich

MainePorsche

What kind of problem(s) are you having with the headlight function ?

Black Tipped Shark

Hi Everyone. I was able to get the right headlight to pop-up manually, but the left one only about 1/4 of the way. If I cranked the **** any further it would go into the radiator as you explained. Any other thoughts? Thanks again. Rich

dcrasta

Can you take pictures. Aside from the C/E clip, the bar rotates and the headlight assembly is bolted to the bar. Could the bolts be loose ?

jeff spahn

Rich
I would think you are going to need to take the underside approach and see if a connector has come off the headlight that won't go up. As you can see when you crank the manual lift ****, the large bar in front rotates. They should go up the same amount. It sounds as if something is disconnected at one light. I believe you need to remove the fender liner to see the attaching points. Been a long time since I have been up inside my fenders so I hope someone who has been in there recently can chime in.

MainePorsche

Rich,
How did the headlights function prior to you needing to know how to manually crank them up ? Did they rub - were they uneven... ? Please be detailed.
When you say the linkage would hit the radiator, I'm led to believe you cranked the **** the wrong way. In the earlier years the motor would cycle only in one direction - position sensors within the motor would stop the motion at the appropriate up or down position. In the latter years the motor would cycle no more than (approx.) 180 deg. and reverse its direction for up and down.
If you're cycling it manually, and the linkage is going to hit the radiator, you are 'outside' its normal range of motion. Also, if an E/C clip were off and the linkage was unattached (partially) that could explain targeting the radiator, but it wouldn't explain the headlights going up even manually.
You state the Right goes up but the Left only partially. They are supposed to move in unison. This leads me to believe one or the other is not properly secured to the actuator bar (that black metal tube that runs across the front with two bolts/nuts at each end. These bolts/nuts are also part of the medial-lateral alignment of the headlight in its 'bed'. We'll get to the front back adjustment when you report back.

-prior function
-status of attachment to actuator bar
-pictures...

Black Tipped Shark

Finally turned **** the proper way, but the left headlight still won't crank up all the way. My prior issues with the headlights were: Initially neither headlight would pop up using the light switch. then they did pop up, but wouldn't go down. Also couldn't turn off the lights, unless I disconnected battery cable. Lights come on even if lights are in down position, when I use switch, but cannot turn off, unless I disconnect battery.