Cloudy headlight
07-16-2002, 03:09 PM
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Cloudy headlight
I notice on my car that one headlight is cloudy while the other is clear (newer looking). This would suggest to me that one has probably been changed.
Is it possible to clean the light or do I have to buy a new one to have them match perfectly?
Jay
91 C4
Is it possible to clean the light or do I have to buy a new one to have them match perfectly?
Jay
91 C4
07-17-2002, 06:24 AM
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Hi Jay,
Bill's suggestion is a good one, to "fix" it permanently, you'll need to replace the outer-seal around the light (this is a cheap part - so don't panic) or may be it was pinched when they replaced it before and moisture is getting in there. The only problem if you leave it after a long while the inner will discolour to a terrible yellow/brown colour!!
Undo screw at bottom of lens brace, remove brace, remove lens off and clean, remove seal and replace/clean and re-assemble. Won't take you more than 45 mins.
The only time you need to replace the lens is if it is cracked or badly stone pitted "sand-blastered" but be careful replacing only one side will leave the otherside looking grubby...
All the best
Gary'91 C2
Bill's suggestion is a good one, to "fix" it permanently, you'll need to replace the outer-seal around the light (this is a cheap part - so don't panic) or may be it was pinched when they replaced it before and moisture is getting in there. The only problem if you leave it after a long while the inner will discolour to a terrible yellow/brown colour!!
Undo screw at bottom of lens brace, remove brace, remove lens off and clean, remove seal and replace/clean and re-assemble. Won't take you more than 45 mins.
The only time you need to replace the lens is if it is cracked or badly stone pitted "sand-blastered" but be careful replacing only one side will leave the otherside looking grubby...
All the best
Gary'91 C2
07-17-2002, 08:08 AM
#4
Race Car
Hmmmmm, it sounds to me like Gary is referring to the non-factory H4 headlight systems? 
The factory 964 H4 headlight is a sealed "globe" type unit, it does NOT have a removeable lens. The main seal is the location where the bulb twists in at the center/rear of the globe. The other place where a seal is located (believe it's an "O"-ring?) is where the dessicant tab screws onto the lower part of the globe.
My procedure was to remove the dessicant tab and the bulb...take glass cleaner and alcohol mixed together and place about a cup of it in the globe, slosh it around for awhile and take a pair of hemostats (some of you may have a set left over from your "hippy" days
) and either a clean towel or paper shop towels and wipe the interior clean/dry, being sure to dump the bulk of the solution out of the dessicant port prior to wiping out.
Then leave the globe to dry overnight, that way you're not reinstalling your dessicant tab and bulb only to saturate your dessicant tab with moisture overnight!
BTW, this might be a good time to replace the dessicant tab anyway, as it assists in keeping condensation out of the globe.
My lenses look nice and clean, now I wish they weren't so chipped up!! <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />
The factory 964 H4 headlight is a sealed "globe" type unit, it does NOT have a removeable lens. The main seal is the location where the bulb twists in at the center/rear of the globe. The other place where a seal is located (believe it's an "O"-ring?) is where the dessicant tab screws onto the lower part of the globe.
My procedure was to remove the dessicant tab and the bulb...take glass cleaner and alcohol mixed together and place about a cup of it in the globe, slosh it around for awhile and take a pair of hemostats (some of you may have a set left over from your "hippy" days
) and either a clean towel or paper shop towels and wipe the interior clean/dry, being sure to dump the bulk of the solution out of the dessicant port prior to wiping out.Then leave the globe to dry overnight, that way you're not reinstalling your dessicant tab and bulb only to saturate your dessicant tab with moisture overnight!
BTW, this might be a good time to replace the dessicant tab anyway, as it assists in keeping condensation out of the globe.
My lenses look nice and clean, now I wish they weren't so chipped up!! <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />
07-17-2002, 08:36 AM
#5
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Dear Jeff,
All 964s except the US versions were fitted with H4s. The factory standard H4 is not sealed.
Only the US versions of the 964 were fitted with sealed beams. H5 I think. I am sure one of our American colleagues can confirm or correct the H number. I was actually going to remind Gary that Jay was actually in Canada and has different headlights. Unless Jay has retrofitted an aftermarket H4 conversion kit. Which he does not mention.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4
All 964s except the US versions were fitted with H4s. The factory standard H4 is not sealed.
Only the US versions of the 964 were fitted with sealed beams. H5 I think. I am sure one of our American colleagues can confirm or correct the H number. I was actually going to remind Gary that Jay was actually in Canada and has different headlights. Unless Jay has retrofitted an aftermarket H4 conversion kit. Which he does not mention.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4
07-17-2002, 08:48 AM
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Yip,
You guys are 100% correct, sorry for the confusion... Mines a UK issue 964(H4) lens that definitely comes off (I've replaced my lens...and I'm sure I was sober at the time..)
Sorry once again for the confusion I'm not sure about the US issue 964's they are probably one solid globe (probably because you guys have more money than us so you can afford to replace the whole thing!!!).
Cheers
Gary '91 C2
You guys are 100% correct, sorry for the confusion... Mines a UK issue 964(H4) lens that definitely comes off (I've replaced my lens...and I'm sure I was sober at the time..)
Sorry once again for the confusion I'm not sure about the US issue 964's they are probably one solid globe (probably because you guys have more money than us so you can afford to replace the whole thing!!!).
Cheers
Gary '91 C2
07-17-2002, 12:26 PM
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[quote]<strong>I'm not sure about the US issue 964's they are probably one solid globe </strong><hr></blockquote>
US 964's came with H5's.
US 964's came with H5's.
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07-19-2002, 04:20 AM
#8
Race Car
Okay, I'll buy that one!
I remember buying Bosch H4 kits for my SC from AJ USA and a few years later broke one of the lenses at a DE event. I replaced the lens.
Since then I have investigated, and cleaned the headlights on my 964 and noticed they were totally different. Didn't know they were referred to as H5s...but again, I'll buy that!
I remember buying Bosch H4 kits for my SC from AJ USA and a few years later broke one of the lenses at a DE event. I replaced the lens.
Since then I have investigated, and cleaned the headlights on my 964 and noticed they were totally different. Didn't know they were referred to as H5s...but again, I'll buy that!
