Indecisive headlights fixed
Thread Starter
Inventor
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,218
Likes: 468
Indecisive headlights fixed
It started with the left headlight not coming on because the left headlight fuse blew.
Then the headlights started not wanting to stay down when turned off. They would pop right back up, and down, until I shut off the car.
Finally, tonight, the headlights didn't want to stay up, or down!
Given the gradual symptoms, I guessed it was the headlight relay.
I rocked the headlight relay gently out of its socket and popped the cap off. (The headlight relay actually has 3 or 4 relays, some resistors, transistors, etc. inside. I assume the electronics are a timing circuit.)
I found quite a lot of crystalized circuit board crud between the traces. I scraped the crud off with my fingernail, then cleaned the circuit board and the relay contacts with electronic cleaner spray.
Put it back together and the headlights are back to normal! (Brighter too?)
Then the headlights started not wanting to stay down when turned off. They would pop right back up, and down, until I shut off the car.
Finally, tonight, the headlights didn't want to stay up, or down!
Given the gradual symptoms, I guessed it was the headlight relay.
I rocked the headlight relay gently out of its socket and popped the cap off. (The headlight relay actually has 3 or 4 relays, some resistors, transistors, etc. inside. I assume the electronics are a timing circuit.)
I found quite a lot of crystalized circuit board crud between the traces. I scraped the crud off with my fingernail, then cleaned the circuit board and the relay contacts with electronic cleaner spray.
Put it back together and the headlights are back to normal! (Brighter too?)
Last edited by PorKen; Oct 5, 2003 at 02:24 AM.
User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,291
Likes: 2
From: Midland, Texas
Glad I didnt throw away the old relay I'll clean it up tommorow and test - another spare part for my growing collection.
Thanks for the idea.
Merde,
Did Deb replace the Relay as well?
Thanks for the idea.
Merde,
Did Deb replace the Relay as well?
Last edited by John Struthers; Oct 5, 2003 at 08:26 AM.
Thread Starter
Inventor
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,218
Likes: 468
Not fixed!
I guess I was just lucky last night after cleaning the relay.
The headlight motor relay trips briefly, but not doesn't stop.
Gotta pull the motor and check the contacts I guess.
I guess I was just lucky last night after cleaning the relay.
The headlight motor relay trips briefly, but not doesn't stop.
Gotta pull the motor and check the contacts I guess.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,259
Likes: 3
From: Camarillo, CA, USA
PorKen,
If I forget to turn off the headlights before removing the key from the ignition, the headlights stay both up and on. The only way to turn them off is the re-insert the key in the ignition, but I can't get them both up and off.
Is this normal? If not, what causes this? Bad headlight relay?
If I forget to turn off the headlights before removing the key from the ignition, the headlights stay both up and on. The only way to turn them off is the re-insert the key in the ignition, but I can't get them both up and off.
Is this normal? If not, what causes this? Bad headlight relay?
Trending Topics
User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,291
Likes: 2
From: Midland, Texas
Deb,
You will probably will do the switch first ... due to disassembly but sure would be nice to know if the original problem was the relay. Hope the switch arrives soon.
Good time to trickle charge, are you putting a new exciter?
You will probably will do the switch first ... due to disassembly but sure would be nice to know if the original problem was the relay. Hope the switch arrives soon.
Good time to trickle charge, are you putting a new exciter?
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
9 Vehicles Porsche Helped Engineer that Aren't Porsches
Verdad Gallardo
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand
Verdad Gallardo
I've Written 500 Rennlist Articles: Here's How Porsche Has Changed Along the Way
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Unnecessary Porsches Ever Built (And Why We Love Them)
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche 911 GT3 S/C vs 718 Spyder RS: 10 Categories, One Winner
Joe Kucinski
This Builder Is Turning Heads With Its Slantnose 911 Creation
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche 911 GT3 Artisan Edition Pays Homage to Japanese Culture
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche Reveals Coupe Variant of the Electric Cayenne With a Fresh Look
Verdad Gallardo