So odd, headlight R&R then Front Side Light Error
02-26-2019 | 01:37 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 488
Likes: 52
From: Seattle-ish
So odd, headlight R&R then Front Side Light Error
Removed and reinstalled the left headlight making double sure the harness connector was snug. Immediately after starting I get a Front Side (marker) light error. WTF? Jump out and sure enough the bulb is not illuminated. Thump the fender next to the marker light and it immediately illuminates. Have had no issues with the side light up to this point. How in the name of all things is there a relationship between a bulb being out after installing the headlight and thumping a fender and having it go back on? I didn’t smack the fender super hard enough to shake the headlight assembly, so what’s up here? Another bizarre Cayenne anomaly?
02-26-2019 | 03:40 AM
#2
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 13,340
Likes: 681
From: Auckland, New Zealand.
Removed and reinstalled the left headlight making double sure the harness connector was snug. Immediately after starting I get a Front Side (marker) light error. WTF? Jump out and sure enough the bulb is not illuminated. Thump the fender next to the marker light and it immediately illuminates. Have had no issues with the side light up to this point. How in the name of all things is there a relationship between a bulb being out after installing the headlight and thumping a fender and having it go back on? I didn’t smack the fender super hard enough to shake the headlight assembly, so what’s up here? Another bizarre Cayenne anomaly?
Our left headlight has intermittent issues as well. When it alarms we get out of the car and give it a push inwards. We replaced the light carrier and it now does it less often but it’s not fixed.
02-26-2019 | 10:54 AM
#3
RL Community Team
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 26,494
Likes: 6,909
From: Clemson, SC
Being a 914 owner, I assume you have a can of Deoxit D5 spray in your cabinet. Remove the bulb again and spray some Deoxit in the socket, and wipe it with a pipe cleaner. Do the same to the bulb contacts. Your problem should be resolved. Removing the headlight caused you to pull on the wire harness that the side marker bulb wiring is also a part of and you've created just enough of a bad contact where the light thump caused the contacts to touch again, but it won't be a stable connection and will keep happening. Also, if you've recently replaced one side marker bulb only, Porsche bulb control modules are very sensitive to difference on the 2 sides of the car. If you replaced one bulb, but another of the exact same bulb as you installed and replace the other side with it (Deoxit those connections too). If you don't remember the brand and type of bulb you used, buy a new pair of the same and install both.
02-27-2019 | 05:34 PM
#5
4th Gear
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Removed and reinstalled the left headlight making double sure the harness connector was snug. Immediately after starting I get a Front Side (marker) light error. WTF? Jump out and sure enough the bulb is not illuminated. Thump the fender next to the marker light and it immediately illuminates. Have had no issues with the side light up to this point. How in the name of all things is there a relationship between a bulb being out after installing the headlight and thumping a fender and having it go back on? I didn’t smack the fender super hard enough to shake the headlight assembly, so what’s up here? Another bizarre Cayenne anomaly?