bebbetufs

I just failed inspection due to one of the headligths projecting a circular image rather than the correct beam image which is cut horizontally to not blind oncoming cars.
Does anyone know what may cause this?

De Jeeper

Maybe u want to tell us something about your car? I guess we can assume its a 996 but with what headlight options. Maybe tell us what year maybe the miles in it or even take a pic of the headlight to give us a clue.

Help is help u. There r a few reasons for the projectiors to go bad and solutions but we need more info.

bebbetufs

Sorry, my bad. I was busy at work and popped this in during a break.
The car is a 986, 98model, but the headlights should be the same as the 996? The headlights are halogen units with orange yolks.
I can find the part number if needed.

De Jeeper

No need for part numbers. There are projector and lens rebuild kits. Most likely the projectors have deteriorated.

https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...this-year.html

https://www.adriantaillights.com/sto...986-c114018836

bebbetufs

Thanks for helping.
The rules are very strict over here, so upgrading/modding the headlights likely not be allowed as the requirement is for parts to be CE approved. They may not notice it, but if they do I'll have to revert back.

Is there a way to check the degree of degradation by visual inspection? I'm not sure I understand exactly what part of the headlight the projector is? Is it the complete internal headlight?

De Jeeper

Its the chrome foil "cup/lens" behind the bulb. The bulb refects/projects the light foward. Email those guys in the link because (i think) they have a replacent part thats basically the oem part.

bebbetufs

Got it. Thank you.

EVOMMM

Barrow a friend with a 996/987 headlights for the test then switch it back

bebbetufs

Good idea.
Unfortunately they all have 996.2 lights which won't fit since mine are the early lights. I'll ask around.
This is what didn't pass.
I was not able to get the car square to the wall so the distance is closer on the left. It was the left that failed inspection. I have polished the left h headlight. It was more faded than the right, so is probably older.

I was not able to get the car square to the wall so the distance is closer on the left. It was the left that failed inspection.

TheChunkNorris

They sell a kit for .2s as well. I have one sitting in a box in my garage.

pdxmotorhead

If you pull the bulb, and use a cheap dental mirror like from harbor freight you can inspect the inside of the housing.
It sounds like you have the problem with either the reflector coating dyeing, or the projector lens fogging/aging.

Hard to believe something that subtle is causing a fail on an inspection. wow..

bebbetufs

Thanks. I'll see if I can get a smaller mirror.

I know, they called the beam image appalling. They don't cut us much slack when it comes to cars....
They also failed the clear side indicators.
The orange bulb wasn't orange enough. Looks orange to me

hardtailer

Does the failed headlight Show burn marks in the lenses like this?
?
If not, try new bulbs from Philips or Osram.

pdxmotorhead

at least its easy to swap the side indicators out as needed...

Adrian Taillights

Thanks to Jeeper for sharing links to my web site. Since OP is in Norway, however, it would be easier to source any upgrades directly from the manufacturer, Retrofitlab, that is based in the Netherlands.
Here is a picture of the halogen (left) and Litronic/HID (right) inserts in the 996.1/986 headlights.
They are sadly not available as a Porsche replacement part, so if that is the problem you would have to source them from another set of lights. Caveat is that you need to remove the lens to replace them which is not an easy task...