badger15

Hi all, my headlights are only turning on intermittently. Sometimes they turn on right away, sometimes, if I toggle the switch several times I can get them to turn on. I had a mechanic friend check out the actual headlight switch and he said that it looked fine, so it must be downstream from that point.

I have been getting an occasional ABS/PSM warning light as well. I was told to replace the MAF and it did not help. My mechanic friend also told me that the ABS/PSM system and the headlights share some of the same circuits...could the problems be related? If not, can anyone shed some light on why my headlights only turn on some of the time?

Thanks as always for any wisdom you can share with me!

schred

Now that just seems hard to believe that the headlight issue could be related to the ABS PSM system, as far as the later issue,, have you checked your brake lights when the ABS PSM light is on,, I had the issue and it was indeed the brake light switch,, which makes sense , since if it is bad,, the computor does not know that you have the brakes on.. But headlights,, I do not think that the ABS or PSM system care whether the headlights are working or not..

badger15

Thanks for the heads up on the brake lights. I will definitely check that the next time I get the ABS/PSM light.

As far as the intermittent headlight operation, does anyone have any experience with this? have any ideas? The switch tested fine, so something else must be going on.

Thanks a lot!

wross996tt

Could be:
1. the relay (double relay)
2. fuses
3. switch (not sure how it was tested as the condition is intermittent
4. check the connector on the headlight for bent pins
5. look for loose connections

DaveK

I collected my 996 TT yesterday and think I may have a similar headlight problem. First time I tried to use them, the headlights didn't come on (sidelights did). After playing about with them it seems they do seem to work 99% of the time but occasionally don't switch on.

I'm not convinced it's the switch or loose connections - if it was, I'd assume they wouldn't always stay on once they're on. So the relay seems the most likely choice, since it might be sticking.

I (think) I know the fuse panel is down by my feet. What about relays - are they in there too, or will I find them somewhere else?

wross996tt

relays are above right of fuse panel...still sounds like a switch to me.

DaveK

Wouldn't it be more likely the lights wouldn't stay on if that was the case?

wross996tt

when it comes to those switches...no. Odds are it is the switch...you can go changing relays if you want...it's your $ and time.

naptownmike

I had the same problem make sure your ignition switch is coming back to the run position. Mine is worn and sometimes wont spring back all the way.

rocketrider2

Have already replaced the ignition switch and now my headlight switch is also on the way out. I have been told both of these are of audi decent.

JG 996T

Anybody ever figure out cause of the Intermittant headlight issue? Same issues as above

Macster

The only intermittent headlight operation I've experienced, and in my Boxster not my Turbo, arose from a headlight assembly not installed properly by me.

Over time the headlight worked loose and its operation became erratic going dark completely along a particularly rough stretch of I-40 east of Flagstaff. Had to pull over and do something when I could no longer see the lane lines because the driver's side headlight was dark.

Managed to get home with no more headlight drama then later at the dealer for an oil/filter service the tech secured the headlight properly. It has remained secure -- and I have not touched it -- since. I might add I only touched it to begin with to replace a burned out bulb.

Sincerely,

Macster.

JG 996T

Found what looks to be a solution on 6 speed.

SSST

Don't the litronics have a ballast? It sounds like what happens when the ballast, starts going bad on flourescent lights.

JG 996T

The switch operates intermittently not the lights. If the switch works, the lights go on and stay on until you turn the switch off. The problem arises the next time I turn the lights to the "on" position, they don't turn on. But it's more like every third or fourth time, the lights don't turn on. Need to toggle the switch several times to get the lights to switch on.