Viper6

See broken part in this Front Left wheel well pic... assume it is a suspension stroke sensor, but what does it do, and more importantly, what is the consequence of driving it un-repaired?

The part it mounts to is plastic so it must have struck road debris I am guessing...

Thx!

DBJoe996

Litronic light level adjustor. Just replace that piece of plastic and you will be good. I think it is Part No. 21 in this diagram...about $5.
http://www.autoatlanta.com/porsche-p...section=401-00

Ahsai

That's the level sensor for the self-leveling xenons. HOw are your headlights at night?

5CHN3LL

Hm, I need to get under my car. One of my litronics isn't leveling properly, and I suddenly have a hunch.

Ahsai

Um, not sure as those level sensors (one in the front suspension and one in the back suspension) controls BOTH headlights together. If the problem is only on one of the headlights, maybe the servo of that light is not working.

Try this, when the car is OFF, turn the headlight switch to the low beam position, then insert and turn the key to last position before cranking. Both lights should aim up and down to calibrate (have someone else to check or just shoot a video). If one of the lights does not, the servo is bad or it's not getting power.

WalterRohrl

Try this, when the car is OFF, turn the headlight switch to the low beam position, then insert and turn the key to last position before cranking. Both lights should aim up and down to calibrate (have someone else to check or just shoot a video). If one of the lights does not, the servo is bad or it's not getting power.[/QUOTE]


I just tried that on mine and it works. However I have never been of the opinion that the headlights are particularly bright or good or aimed far enough ahead, and have been wondering if others have the same issue? It's bad enough that on a dark country road at night I am usually not exceeding the speed limit as there is not enough visibility. My others cars, no problem. Are people replacing bulbs, as far as I know mine are original to the car. It's an '02 so I believe Xenons are standard, the headlights do have the little chrome cover thingy.

Ahsai

You're not alone. I also feel my lights are not getting enough range and my level sensors are not broken. I asked the dealer to check the aiming a few times and they found nothing wrong.

alpine003

I'm also in agreement and think all 996 projectors are crap compared to some other OEM's out there. It's the less than stellar projector lenses themselves they use that are inferior.

Short of retrofitting new set of projectors, the more cost effective(albeit not the most optimal) solution would be to get the 55w HID kits to fit.

Something like this:
http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/UltraCanbusHID

Some members have actually taken their lights apart and sanded/polished the projector lenses to improve output. I've only seen pics so can't really comment on if this effort is worth it or not.

PelicanParts.com

Might find something under electrical here that'll help with the DIY replacement of the broken part.

-Luccia

911661

Funny experience I have is my 996.1 I owned had one of the best headlights I've ever seen, and when I switched to a 996.2 I was expecting the same thing. Wrong the 996.2 was for whatever reason inferior in the distance I was able to see. Maybe the head light shape change is to blame? Both of my cars were xenon

alpine003

Just for reference, how many OEM hid equipped cars have you driven before that? My mk1 hid seems weaker and less pronounced than BMW, Audi, VW, Acura/Honda, Mercedes I've driven before. My favorite was the Honda s2000 lights.

crashclint

You really have to be careful with the aftermarket HID, I have seen a Boxster with internal discolored lenses due the heat build up.

alpine003

The case you're describing is from using high wattage bulbs on a non projector based housing usually. Regular HID's only take 35w and even the 55w aftermarket ones do not generate heat like the 55w halogen bulbs so there should be no issues.

911661

I've had an e92 BMW which were weaker and also several Hondas and acuras and the 996.1 seemed to me at least to be superior in the distance I was able to see

jj1

Agreed. S2k headlights were fantastic.