944 Headlight Flash Ballast Resistors

[jellytott]

I did resurrect a old thread called "Headlight loom upgrade" from rayne automotive off *bay.
So this is a sort of Bump thread...so its a cut to the chase about my problem encountered for ease of answering.

Firstly it isn't an earthing issue.

To improve headlights on the 944 which I found very dim and just hopeless even with upgraded bulbs (Nightbreakers fiited), I purchased the Rayne loom and installed the upgrade kit which included new relays too. Its a nicely made bit of wiring/loom fitted it easily but its 95% working,,,,, this issue with the side lights on and engine stopped, the new relays in the loom buzz at a really fast rate almost like a lights on reminder.
I spoke with the guy who supplies these looms and he's very helpful and want to resolve this too and we have concluded...the loom supplied with 3.6volts on the Yellow wire on the H4 bulb socket so in this condition isn't enough to activate the relay's and it flicks between ON or OFF states hence the buzz. So is my 944S 1988 have a "ballast resistor pack" fitted in the headlight circuit. I may be wrong here if ones fitted, apparently the reason for this problem this ballast module enables a full flash on headlights ( i.e.enables a thank-you acknowledge to other drivers with the headlights on but flashes brighter) so the main headlight are supplied slightly lower volts in normal driving and the flash stalk enable full volts to flash the head lights?

So does anyone know of such a ballast pack somewhere in the dash or engine bay, I've looked at the 944S wiring schedule and suggests a "Dimming transistor module for GB cars" so is this the unit causing my problem if so where is it hiding/located???

Thanks in advance

John

 

[944 man]

Dim dip headlamps car?

 

[robwright]

Was fitted only to a limited number of cars around 1988 and 1989 for some crazy EU legislation. If you have it fitted under dash on driver's side above the boot release. Two round objects. Those are the resistors if fitted.

 

[944 man]

87 & 88, but contrary to EU legislation.

 

[jellytott]

Robwright thanks I'll check mine out and hopefully (rather unluckily in my case) I have these rascals fitted and causing this issue with this loom upgrade.

Dim dip headlamps car?

Sorry 944 man I didn't get that ?

 

[jellytott]

Robwright,
Yes there is something there but its directly above the throttle pedal quite near the screen aerial amplifier module its not near the boot release switch, it a large round 8ohm resistor (about 2inches dia) with only 2 spade connectors its fitted inside a protective can as I assume it get hot . Is this what your suggesting or related to something else? For injectors or Coil ??

 

[robwright]

Yes that will be it. Been a while since I have been under there. There is a mod/bodge to bypass all this which involves removing the headlight relay and rewiring it. Also disconnecting another plug that is strapped to the steering column. It is all related but hopefully you are now heading the right way.

 

[944Turbo]

https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=93795&high=iceshark

and

https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=45221&mpage=1&key=relay%EB%82%B4

should help you out,
Tony

(ps who says the search function doesn't work!)

 

[jellytott]

Thanks Gents,
At least I know whats causing it, its a real shame mine has this odd "Porsche bodge" for build years 1988/89 so has impacted this plug and play loom on my year of 944S as always what you think is a easy fit suddenly doesn't just my luck....ho hey.
I may explore with James from Ranye automotive that supplied the upgrade loom its a pain to do more wiring changes to get this to work, with a bit of luck a simple in-line resistor may resolve this issue making it a dam sight easier with this Ranye install yet having the ability to restore the wiring to normal without wiring heart surgery would be a better fix and others thinking of doing it too with this porsche bodge!

 

[944 man]

I answered your question. Rob commented on my answer, but was inaccurate.

 

[jellytott]

haha okie doks 944man

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Persevere - I have the Rayne loom on my S2 and the results with Nightbreakers are great.

 

[jellytott]

Hi Mike.
You was in luck by the sounds of it as your S2 never had the odd Porsche dim/dip mod so your headlight pods remained down
where as mine stayed up with the ignition off this was upsetting the supplied relays in the upgrade loom by buzzing, I'm just waiting for a slight tweak with a relay change (2 relays that trigger at a higher voltage) with the supplied Rayne loom that doesn't react to this mod by Porsche from Rayne thus enabling a complete plug and play fitment with the oddity of some years which have the dim/dip fitment, so this should future proof any other purchase from Rayne with their upgrade loom for the complete 944 range and benefiting many owners with a better light output regardless of year and model on what was poor headlight light output that faces 944 night time driving.

 

[Eldavo]

Persevere - I have the Rayne loom on my S2 and the results with Nightbreakers are great.

Not as good as LEDs though

 

[jellytott]

Up for any improvement Eldavo what have you got fitted LED wise I went for nightbreakers for what was best in class but that was a couple of years ago now.
Firstly, I've kept clear of HID's I understand the light output (UV) can strip the silvering in the light fitment itself over time. Also, I may be wrong is there a EU/UK Law that only LED bulbs can only be fitted in the newest car lens design and not retro fitting to older designed light fitment ie in "our 944's" only traditional bulbs must be fitted in 944's and that goes for plastic lenses too, if so technically if caught one is breaking the Law with Vehicle lighting and then will impact your insurance for non standard fitment not being covered in the case of a claim and the vehicle is checked ?

 

[Eldavo]

No idea on the legislation but I've passed the last couple of MOTs with no problems.

Mike saw my car with the LED bulbs last week, I'll let him tell you how bright they were!