John S. Markowitz

Hi All,

Recently, on my 1991 S4, my headlights have begun acting up randomly. Sometimes they pop up and work, sometimes they pop up but don’t illuminate, and sometimes they don't even pop up. I have never had any issue with them whatsoever.

The OTHER thing I have noted simultaneously is the Stop Lamp Warning light coming on- and the brake lights do not illuminate (this too is intermittent as later the brake lights all work fine).

Are these two intermittent problems related and do they point to a "most likely" fix?

Thanks in advance

Ducman82

Check the ground points in the front by the headlights, and the rear by the tail lights. also check the HL relay contacts.

MainePorsche

Service the grounds for each region, and your CE panel connections (especially headlight relay). I'd do this before jumping to replace this relay $$$. I had similar symptoms with headlights and it was the relay. The brake light business does seem odd for this. Go over the CE panel well.

davek9

I'm thinking Head Light Relay for the that issue (come up don't light).
Brake Lamps could be the Bulb/Lamp Controller as they are powered through it.

However giving multiple issues I'd start cleaning grounds (as suggested) and spraying WD-40 around/on the electrical connections.

John S. Markowitz

These two problems are both intermittent and co-occur....
Trying to work through it but between the 2 problems it makes the car unsafe to drive which is a serious bummer..........

Kevin in Atlanta

Ignition switch?

John S. Markowitz

Yes thanks- I was reading some previous posts about this as a possibility.

The suggestion was to crank the car and when it occurs, turn the ignition key a bit back and see if things suddenly work properly.

So of course now that I am trying to check that out- its mocking me and working correctly every single time.

Obviously I need to schedule a date tonight and can then bank on the lights failing to work after dark. Then I can test it!

Kevin in Atlanta

Next time the headlights fail to pop up try your wipers. If they don't operate that is another sign the ignition switch is failing.

John S. Markowitz

Got the car to act up, sure enough, headlights, brake lights, AND in addition- Wipers would not work.

Backed off a counter-clockwise tad on the key in the ignition while the car was still running and... bingo- everything began to work.

Ordered an ignition switch.

Hopefully after installing this will now end happily.

Thank you (and all) for the input.