Headlamp woes solved

[DRDT]

My 996 C2 03 N/S headlamp dip lamp has been playing up for some time. Pot luck whether it would come on or not when the dashboard light switch operated. Initially thought it was the headlamp multi-connector pins as when the headlamp unit was eased out and pushed back, the lamp always came on. Lived like that for nearly a year now - no problem with long days in the summer but a pain in the winter. However as due for a service and MOT (which if it played up it would not have passed) I had my local OPC look at it. After exhaustive investigations and component swap the problem was identified as the lamp control box at fitted at the back of the headlamp unit. New unit fitted (£505 with discount and half hour lab - ouch) and no more problems and car passed MOT. OPC reckon CB failures are not common but when they do happen the result is usually a failure to 'fire' the dip bulb. If I am unfortunate enough for the O/S to fail I will consider a used spare. Service and MOT otherwise a doddle with no pick-up points.

 

[DaveyB]

On the list of issues I seem to have had/having, this is similar to one I seem to be developing. When turning on the lights, the dip beam doesn't always come on. I have to turn the switch on and off a few times before any joy. Or just wait a while before switching the lights on.

But the difference being it's both lights.

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

Most likely the light switch itself Dave.

 

[DaveyB]

Thanks. I hope so. It looks like the cheaper option.

 

[DRDT]

My experience from last year is that it is most likely the switch as the problem affects both lights. Simple 30 minute job to change the switch - RH can probably send you a diagram if you need it. I priced up new versus used from a variety of suppliers, including Porsche. New the switches are about £100, used are about a third to half of that. I sourced a used switch through PIE Performance in Suffolk which solved the problem.