pluckedchicken

Having some issues with my headlights...

Couple of times, went out for dinner the headlights worked on the way there, and would pop up, but not light up on the way home.

Recently stopped lighting up period.

Replaced the Headlight relay(928-618-107-04) today, but still not lighting up (pop up fine)

Since both either light up, or don't, I don't think it's bulbs... what else may be the issue?

928 DesMoines

Just bumping this up to the top a bit but I had a similar experience with my S4. I replaced the relay and that fixed it. However, you have already done that. Is the relay new or used?

pluckedchicken

Relay is new from Sunset... I was sooo hoping that would fix it, since they ain't cheap

MainePorsche

Have you pulled on the stalk to see if you have high beams ?
Have you checked your fuses ?
38 & 39 are from 56a pin of relay for low/regular beam.
31 & 32 are from 56b on the relay for your high beams.
Also have a look at the condition of the wire harness as they go in the wheel well, and the condition of your sockets. Also each head light has its own ground point. MP II for the right, and MP I for the left.

pluckedchicken

currently no high or low beams.

when they were working sporadically, high and low worked for both.
never had the situation that one head light worked and the other did not.
It's been all or nothing.

all other electric accessories work.

Guess I have to pull the panel and look at the back side

928 DesMoines

If it was a random occurrence before; could it be a switch gone bad? Perhaps the light switch needs to be cleaned or replaced? I found on another thread that someone thought it could also be the ignition switch?

WallyP

I would start by studying the wiring diagram, then see where I lost the power to the system...

pluckedchicken

About a year ago I had Greg Brown pull the pod to fix the gas gauge (was showing 3/4 when full). When that was done the entire pod was gone over cleaned and calibrated... suppose the light switch could have gone bad since then

What are the symptoms if tied to the ignition? She starts fine, no hesitation.

pluckedchicken

That'll keep me busy for awhile... electrician I'm not. Guess I'll start reading

Mrmerlin

what was the last thing you worked on?

MainePorsche

Hmmm...

Alan

If both bulbs always do the same thing then about the last place I would be looking is the bulbs themselves.

Both doing the same thing means one of the parts of the circuit that is common to both L&R - this rules out bulbs, sockets, pod wiring (including grounds) and fuses. It leaves in contention: the relay, the headlight switch and the wiring in between.

It also keeps in contention the X-Bus from the ignition switch - however the effect of this is that you would also lose other things when it misbehaves: fog lights, brake lights, HVAC as examples - did that happen? Without headlights I imagine you probably tried the foglights to get home?

Most likely here though (you already changed the relay) is a problem with the headlight switch - however rather than just buying one - test to see. When the problem occurs test the relay socket (remove relay) test Socket Pin 58 wrt ground and see if you have power (light switch in position 2 of 0-2 and ignition need to be on). You should see battery voltage on pin 58, switch to position 1 should go to 0V.

You didn't describe the problem very clearly above: when they don't work do they not pop up? OR do they pop-up - work then go out? or pop-up but not work? do the pods ever go down when they should be up & on?

Another possible test here (depending on that answer): When the lights go out - assuming the pods are up - if you rotate the headlamp switch to off (0) the pods should go down? when you rotate the switch back to headlights (2) do they rotate back up or stay down? This may also be able to answer if it is just a problem with the headlamp switch.

Alan

pluckedchicken

Other than an oil change 2 months ago, nothing since it was at Greg Brown's shop a year ago. The car is rock solid, driven daily without issues

This didn't crop up after tinkering.. that's why I assumed the relay just finally gave up the goast

pluckedchicken

Brake lights, turn signals, and parking lights work. The fogs do come on (thank goodness) Will come on if I push the stalk to brights or press the fogs light switch

Headlights pods have never failed to raise and lower, whether the highlights light up or not.
Pods stay up while the switch is turned to on, Off they go down.

When I raise the headlights they either light or don't. If they light up, they stay lit until I turn them off.. Never had them quit a few minutes later if they initially light up.

Mrmerlin

I would follow Alan's testing suggestions.

FWIW my 88 S4 did this also , lights come up but wont turn on.
I took the original relay cover off and cleaned the contacts ,
put in some deoxit then it started working as it should.
Is the relay you got the same part number, there are different versions