Macster

switch is not working right. Tonight, turned on lights and then I noticed no lights. I thought I forgot to turn the lights on but I checked and they were on. Turned them off then back on and after a small delay came on.

Kind of thought it something I did but a few minutes later at another stop they did the same thing. Guess it is time for a new headlight switch.

"02996ttx50

i guess so!

JG 996T

Check out this thread on 6speed. You might not even have to replace the switch.

Macster

Pretty sure it is the headlight switch. I experimented this AM and if I push in on the switch while turning it at least one time the headlights didn't come on. Pulling out on the switch a bit didn't seem to make any difference. The headlights came on every time. Also, if I do not apply any force the lights come on every time.

I do not have the time to work on the car myself so I'll take it in. I do not think the ignition switch is bad. I do not have any keys hanging from the ignition switch -- just a lone key with not even a keychain attached -- so the switch should last forever. (The one on the Boxster received a lot more use and it was just fine, even though I replaced it as a precaution when the car was not starting 100% of the time. Turned out the real problem was a marginal/intermittently bad clutch interlock switch, a new one at that.)

Kevinmacd

Yup a known failure area!

Macster

to fail but only very intermittently. Says I could let it go until it fails outright. Tempting, but I might be on the road with the car and no headlights can really impact my usage of the car, so I told the SM to tell the tech to replace the headlight switch too. $250 parts and labor.

rmc1148

Smart move.

Turbodan

Bright idea

"02996ttx50

250 parts/labor. i knew i was in the wrong business! if i had any, that is lol

wise to have it repaired though. stuff like that is never good to "hope it goes away" lol

drh

Headlamp Switch from Pelican Parts...takes about 10-minutes to install. My switch went out while on vacation and I had them overnight one. Very easy to install for anyone smart enough, to earn enough to own a Pcar

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...2529%2520%2520

Macster

No place to work on the car. And no time. Family responsibilities (elderly parents) take all my waking time that I have before and after work.

leftlane

I hope your dealer at least sends you a Christmas card.

Macster

There's no indy shop around here I'd trust with my Boxster let alone my Turbo. Even though there might be a good indy shop elsewhere in the region, I do not have time to take the car to some distant indy.

To me the dealer and its service department represents the best hope I have of keeping the cars in good repair and useable to me. I'm quite aware of the cost and believe I am getting good value for my money.

If the dealer wasn't any good I'd get rid of the Porsche cars and buy something (not a Porsche) I could get serviced locally, probably by a dealer.

stilov

That happened to me right after I got the car shipped to me. The day I pulled it off the trailer, no headlights.

Pulled the switch cleaned it with carb cleaner, here I am at 1+ years and the same switch.

Macster

Don't mean to rain on your parade but cleaning -- the first tool the DIY'er reaches for in his tool box -- may not be the long term risk free solution you believe it to be.

I haven't the old switch from my car yet, but every other electrical switch has some lube in it. If the headlight switch does too, then you removed this and probably didn't replace it. So the switch contacts abrade and shed electrical conductive dust inside the switch housing. An electrical short is then possible and this can do more than take out the switch.