Headlamp Glass

[bumperblue]

Hi everybody I have two cracked headlamp glasses on my 944S2 J Reg. I see that an alternative part listing is for a MK 1 Golf. The glass seem very exspensive for "proper" porsche versions. Has anybody tried the Golf option or has anybody got a better idea for replacement units? I know I will have to blank off the sidelight option on the Golf version.

 

[zcacogp]

It's been discussed on here, and the general notion is that the headlight units are common between a Mk1 Golf and an early 944, but not for the later 944.

However, that was the general notion; I'm not sure whether there was ever a definitive answer. Mk1 Golf parts must be pretty cheap now if you felt like experimenting ...


Oli.

 

[944 man]

Its more than a notion Im afraid, its an absolute fact. 924s (inc 924Ss), all series one 944s and 1986MY and 1987MY series two 944s use a lamp similar to that found in the VW Golf. All 1988 model year onwards 944s have electric beam adjusters and the otherwise similar Golf lamps cant be used. If youre prepared to backdate the lamps then they can, but its not really worth the trouble.

Simon

 

[bmnelsc]

ORIGINAL: 944 man

Its more than a notion Im afraid, its an absolute fact. 924s (inc 924Ss), all series one 944s and 1986MY and 1987MY series two 944s use a lamp similar to that found in the VW Golf. All 1988 model year onwards 944s have electric beam adjusters and the otherwise similar Golf lamps cant be used. If youre prepared to backdate the lamps then they can, but its not really worth the trouble.

Simon

Too true - I'm in Canada and had to change my headlamps from left hand drive (Japan - and you) to right hand drive for North America. My only option with preserving the headlight adjustment function was to buy new Porsche parts. If I wanted to eliminate the headlight adjustment - I could buy new mounting frames but the specific head lamps were still required. I've never seen the Porsche style lights on anything else in Canada - pretty much everything used the standard "sealed beam" style mountings.

 

[944 man]

If only youd mentioned this before... All North American cars used sealed beams, as far as Im aware. The cheapest option for you would have been to convert to sealed beam pods, transfering your existing covers and trim plastics. 'European' lamps are better of course, but theyre not fantastic.


Simon

 

[Black Beauty]

Hi

Recently, I have had to replace two headlamps in quick succession and both times I used the Golf Mk1 replacement units for my 84 Lux.

They do fit, but you will have to do some bending of the metal frame attached to the back of the lamp, to get the pop up headlight cover to fit again. You will need to bend the top of the frame only as the rest fits ok.

Not an ideal scenario but easily done.

S

 

[bumperblue]

Hi,

Because of the cost of the replacement glass I will be having a good ferret around to find a solution for this on the S2. I am reluctant to replace the cracked ones with 2nd hand as they may well be approaching 20 years old anyway. Also at near £100 each from a well know supplier there is some motivation.

If anybody has any other bright ideas fire away.

 

[Dockrell]

Bumperblue,
The problem is that the later 944 headlamps are retained by 4 plastic clips which clip into the four metal tags on the actual light unit.
If you can take the the metal tags, and their associated rim (i think) off your existing lights and then fix the rim and tag to a 'standard 7 inch headlight' it should all fit correctly at a much lower cost.
Obviously you will need to get the alighnment of the rim and tags correct as they are used for headlamp alignment.

There are glues available to stick metal to glass.

Take a look at the PET diagrams for the late model 944's and you should see how it all fits together.

The plastic clips, and manual adjusted headlight mounts, are available from your local Porsche Centre.

Mike
White 2.7 automatic

 

[colin944]

I replaced the headlights on my old 924 with mk1 golf units.I changed the frames of the lights over and had no problems. It's a bit fiddely but it can be done, just be careful and don't break any of the little clips and tags and you will be fine.[]

 

[colin944]

ouch!!!!!! i feel your pain.

sorry posted this on wrong thread

 

[bumperblue]

Mike,

That was the process I was thinking of. Use readily available 7" standard lights like this (http://www.thetoolboxshop.com/0-422-51-7-headlamp-unit-flat-lens-5191-p.asp) and transfer/make the atttcahments. I will let people know how I get on.

Ian

 

[cococola]

I have headlamps off a 1984 model 944 and also a pair off a 1986 model available.

 

[dlknight]

ORIGINAL: Black Beauty

Hi

Recently, I have had to replace two headlamps in quick succession and both times I used the Golf Mk1 replacement units for my 84 Lux.

They do fit, but you will have to do some bending of the metal frame attached to the back of the lamp, to get the pop up headlight cover to fit again. You will need to bend the top of the frame only as the rest fits ok.

Not an ideal scenario but easily done.

S

I remember doing this on my 944S

 

[bmnelsc]

ORIGINAL: 944 man

If only youd mentioned this before... All North American cars used sealed beams, as far as Im aware. The cheapest option for you would have been to convert to sealed beam pods, transfering your existing covers and trim plastics. 'European' lamps are better of course, but theyre not fantastic.


Simon

You are correct Simon - North American cars did use sealed beams and there used to be Hella and Bosch H4 kits available for both 2 lamp (7") and 4 lamp (approx 4") systems. Used them on my Volvos with some success. Neolite now makes an e-code clone of the 7" Cibie Z beam light which will replace a sealed beam.

My car came to Canada from Japan so it had left hand traffic e-code headlights and headlight leveling option (M601 IIRC?) so I had to buy new european lights (with the built in mounting tabs) to retain that functionality. I could have bought new mounting frames for a North American car and used the Neolites but then I would have had a useless leveling dial on the console.....

Also - I had my driving sides mixed up in the first post - In North America we are left hand drive (left side of the car) and right hand traffic. In UK and Japan - its right hand drive (right side of the car) and left hand traffic. My S2 from Japan is left hand drive as according to the importer at the time - nobody wanted right hand drive.