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Headlight problems - help please!!

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The dipped headlight beam has recently packed up on my car. I can get side lights and main (full) beam, but not dipped (normal) headlights. Although I can get main beam, I can only do this by pulling the stork.

I think it' s the indicator / main beam stork that' s at fault, however I can' t work out how to get it off. Does anybody know how to remove the black plastic trim between the steering wheel and dash ? Any other ideas ?

I' d also like to repair the steering wheel at the same time - does anybody know how to remove this ?

Thanks,

Scott
 
Are you sure it is the stalk at fault?

Whilst I don' t have a 2.3 Carrera, I believe the following should be true.

The bulbs have two filaments inside. One for dipped beam, one for main beam.
The dipped beam is used much more than main beam, so usually burns out first.

When you turn on the lights, the side lights will work but you will have no dipped beam. Pulling the stalk to flash, or pushing to turn on main beam will still work since the filament is still intact.
I would recommend a new bulb first before pulling the switch apart, since I would be surprised if it had failed.

Although if both have failed at exactly the same moment it would seem too much of a coincidence.
 
I believe that you have to remove the wheel before the column plastic shroud halves come apart. This is done, it seems, by removing the large nut at the end of the column, under the horn-push (which just pulls off, being held in by 3 spring-loaded connectors).
 
With a recap of all help given so far, check the bulbs, although it might sound strange that both would expire at the same time, if they were both fitted together, why not give up together??

But before you look at the bulbs (I think you have to remove the headlights...but I would have to check myself) could you have disturbed any of the wiring? It' s a bit of a cramped space, but look up under the dash to where the light switch is located, there is loads of connectors, look for an empty one and for a yellow wire,this is the wire from the switch that powers your dipped beam headlights, the wire isn' t very generous in length, and is easily pulled off....does this sound like someone who has suffered the same...yes it was me!!....I was about to leave on a ferry on a night crossing and no headlights!!

Unlikely to be a fuse as each side is fused separately.

Unlikely to be the stalk on the column, unless the main beam is stuck ' on'

Hope this helps, I will check when I get home this evening, as I made some notes about this and the connector number marked on the switch.

I' ll update this thread later...
 
Scott....as I thought, you have to remove the headlight bezel and lamp unit to change/check the bulbs...a bit of hassle which you could do without.

Light switch...yellow wire with a piggy back connector No 56, feeds power to the 2 fuses for L & R dipped beam...no relay...hope this helps.

Keep us posted...as they say!![:)][:)]
 
Thanks for the wiring advice - I have checked for loose connections etc and can' t find anything strange.

I first noticed the fault because main beam was stuck on. The only way I could release it was was pull the stalk on the column hard towards the wheel. After I did that - no main lights !!!

I guess this suggets the stalk ??

I' m still stuggling to remove the horn without damaging it - any suggestions ?

Thanks....
 
Do 3.2s have the full headlight current going through the switch as per earlier 911s? If so, the switch contacts could have fried, as happened on a ' 76 Carrera of mine. The long term answer is to fit a new switch with proper relays.
 
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