I just bought a 996 and noticed the headlights have yellow spots inside on the lens. The previous owner used 85 watt bulbs. Can I replace just the lens cover inside the headlight?
Thanks for any help.

 

I had the same issue. If yours is pre-2002, I'd suggest getting the Litronic kit for it. For the early 996s, the kit isn't really stupid money. I think I paid around $2400 Canadian installed. It really freshens the look of the car up, and the lights are better. To your question, I was told there was no cheap and easy fix for the 'burn in'. It's common in Canada because of our daytime running light law. Porsche doesn't add a low wattage secondary lamp to meet the requirement. They just have the cars run with the headlights on all the time.

 

Same here on a 99 I am looking into buying new lights. They are 600 a side for clear standard. Litronic pair is 1400-1800 for the pair. I think....

 

Have you guys seen if it's possible to take apart the headlight to clean the inside and then seal it back up? It was something the MKIV Supra community has done when they get yellowish/cloudy lenses. Might be worth looking into versus spending a grand on new lights...

 

I would guess they bake the lights to sperate them and then reseal.

 

Buy the yellow tint stickers and you're good to go with a mod!

 

That's exactly what happens.

 

I have taken a spare headlight apart. Had to destroy it to do so.

The reflector and lense in front of the bulb are plastic, not glass or metal. If you have a burn spot I do not know of any way to fix it. Live with it or replace the headlight.

 

are you sure the yellowing is on the inside? yellowing of lens on the EXTERIOR seems to be a common problem as cars age and the elements they are exposed to can cause it.

im now in the process of removing a scratch/scuff on my lens using this product: http://www.janvil.com/headlight_restore.htm consider it dermabrasion for the lens. you strip away the cruddy layer is what youre doing with this.

while i had no yellowing, i am happy to report that im very pleased with the results so far. scuff was pretty deep and opaque. looks much much better... 10x better. nearly invisible now. i keep working on it to get it perfect. this prodct may be worth a shot.

 

Thanks for all the replies. The yellowing is on the inside of the lens, this was caused by a higher watt bulb than should have been used. I have a 2000 996 and there is now yellow turn indicator on the lens. Is this a aftermarket headlight.

 

The Mk I headlights that are non-Litronic usually go for nothing on eBay. I think I sold a set a couple of years ago for $150.