so I am having a lights issue. I don’t have hazards, I don’t have fog lights, I don’t have general gauge cluster lights, no parking lights, my headlights go up and turn on, but won’t go down when turned off. I’ve checked all fuses and relays, all good. Grounds seem good. I have tested (replaced with a known good one) headlight switch and ignition switch, both good no change. Any ideas? Some have said they had same issue but can’t remember cause. I’m sure it’s simple, but can’t figure it out. Help!!

 

You are missing power to terminal 30 of the ignition switch for some reason.

 

but wouldnt that take all lights out if no power at terminal 30? Headlights do go up and turn on…….

 

The headlights are powered by the "X" bus, which is disabled when you turn the key to start, on account of the high current draw of the headlights, and different than the 30 bus which poweres the rest. I assure you that everything you describe as not working, including the headlight motor not lowering the headlights, are powered by the 30 terminal to the keyswitch. The headlights going up is powered by a different circuit.

PS: In the future, it is helpful for those looking into your problems if you mention the model year of your car (and if early or late if '85) as we can check against the appropriate schematic. In your case, this time, I checked against both the early and late schematic, and the answer is the same. You do not have power to the 30 terminal of your keyswitch.

 

sorry, I have 1985.5 NA car. Ok. I’m still learning how to read the electrical diagram and trace wires. Just worried I mess something up. appreciate your insight!

 

so I do have power to the 30 pin, must be pin or something after. Still checking.

 

Turn your parking lights on and see if you still have power on pin 30. A high resistance before getting to that pin would fool your multimeter, until you turn something on.

 

will do. I checked for power and also checked continuity. Thank you!

 

I did that and pin 30 has power. Replaced ignition switch and still same issue. Any chance this could be gauge related? or hazard switch?

 

Oops, my bad. It would appear you do not have power to terminal 30 of the LIGHT SWITCH for some reason, not the ignition switch. Sorry about that slip up.

 

I have replaced headlight switch as well but haven’t tested. I’ll try that as well.

 

so I DO NOT have power to pin 30 on the headlight switch. You were right. So I’m trying to trace backwards through wiring diagram. It’s seems to be a red wire coming into fuse panel at L42, but not seeing red wire at L42 plug location. Am I missing something?

 

Ah, you are apparently reading from the Haynes manual. Do yourself a favor and burn it. Download the workshop manual from here:

https://www.uriarte.dk/porsche944/garage/workshop.html

or here:

http://p914-6info.net/944%20Manuals.html


The thick red wire from light switch terminal 30 goes to the fuse/relay panel at K31. You are on your way to solving this now.

 

Looking over the schematic again, how is your fuse 12 looking these days?

 

This is what I’m looking at