Headlights

[andymorris]

I am upsetting other drivers at night as randomly my headlights when on full beam dont want to dip. Any suggestions why ?
Many thanks. (944 S2 1990)

 

[Jonny B]

Headlight relay on the blink?

 

[georgethackray]

Hi Andy,

I just read this on another thread (http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=256993) - it might help you:

Or were you asking about lights not switching back to dip beam from main beam? If so that will be either a grubby earth or fractures in the wires where they bend as the light goes up and down. Jon told me this happens because if the dip beam earth fails then it earths through the main beam! On my car and it was an easy fix.

1. Clean the earths with a wire brush, wire wool or similar. If that doesn't work...

2. turn the headlights onto dip beam then do lots of wiggling and bending of the wires behind the headlights on both sides, when the lights suddenly come on full beam for no reason you will know that there is a break in the wire. Cut the wires strip them back, add waterproof conectors and a new bit of wire. Job done!

 

[sawood12]

I had a similar problem on a previous car and it turned out to be the switch so I replaced the column stalks.

 

[Alpine]

ORIGINAL: zeb

also he's looking for a reccomend on a decent specialist in the sheffield/chesterfield area too

Hartech in Bolton, or Strasse in Leeds are not too far away

 

[Fred Hindle]

Jeremy,
Have a llok at the 944 area on the forum, someone is /has fitted HID conversions that do both dipped and main beam.

Brighter bulbs may do it, AutoExpress ran a test and these two came out top,
1. Osram Cool Blue
2. Philips BlueVision

What is the state of the reflectors?

Thought you had passed on and gone to Yorkshire![]

Cheers,

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Also, how stone-chipped are the lenses?

 

[John Sims]

And how rubbish are the connections?

Apparently, a very small drop in voltage can reduce light output significantly. Check and clean all of the connections.

Paul is quite right that stone chipped lenses can spoil the projected light as well.

It is a difficult subject though as perception of light levels have changed over the years. Modern headlamps are far more efficient than anything 20 years ago and, as a result, you are unlikely to get as bright a light as a modern car.

Beaky has a wiring and voltage regulator upgrade, together with new lights, and still doesn't look as bright as many modern cars. I might have accidentally fitted 100w bulbs at some stage (not now as they are illegal). They were bright (you got ark eye off road signs) but still didn't seem to project like modern lights.

 

[mik_ok]

My lenses and reflectors were fine, and voltage was good. I stuck Osram SilverStar units in and there was a marked improvement. Well worth the £13 or so they cost me on e-gay.

Colleague with a 993 did the same and was hugely impressed.

 

[sawood12]

I've just got the Halfords equivalents that are currenlty on a BOGOF deal for £14.99. I've not fitted them yet but they was a noticeable improvement when I fitted the equivalents to my Focus.

Don't forget to clean your lenses. With all this crud on the road you need to be doing it a couple of times a week.

 

[zeb]

Thanks guys..gave him all the info and he's gone for the halfords option which he's a lot happier with although john sims very valid point about 20 year technology was something that my mate had kinda overlooked!

Dont worry fred i've not moved back to the fatherland just yet! I'm just as they say "in between porsche's" at the moment. I've been doing quite a bit of motorcycle trials recently which has involved falling off a lot and remembering what i learnt 20 years ago

no fool like an old fool eh mate ?!![]

 

[Fred Hindle]

Zeb,
Have you sold your concours winning 944? I rather had the impression that you were bonded for life with it.
I am to assume an equally tasty machine is replacing it.
Bike weather!! Mine haven't seen the road this year, in fact they have only been out of the garage twice.
Cheers,

 

[zeb]

yep..she'gone fred...[]...but happy in the knolwedge that its returned to yorkshire

and yes been up to my ar$e in lancashire's finest mud. 2 events so far this year and 2 retirements..one flooded carb and one bashed up knee![8|]

 

[hartge bob]

Quite normal, mine does the same.

It was changed for 87 - 88 models when some law was going to be changed regarding dim dip headlights or something like that, then changed back again when the law didn't change.

There is a procedure where you can make them stay down on the first position. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to provide a nice link to that discussion.

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: hartge bob

Quite normal, mine does the same.

It was changed for 87 - 88 models when some law was going to be changed regarding dim dip headligths or something like that, then changed back again when the law didn't change.

There is a procedure where you can make them stay down on the first position. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to provide a nice link to that discussion.

Ah thanks for the info... guess that means everythings a-okay then!

apart from the fact i like the fact you can only have the bottom sidelights on without the pop up ones being up,

so if anyone knows about making them stay down then let me know []

 

[John Sims]

I'm just too good to you boys :-

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=256993&mpage=1&key=dim%2Cdip𿁣

 

[Guest]

Why thank you!

Yet another little task to add to the pages on the current "to do" list.

While i read that and spotted the ferrari it just made me think... of something i love.. which is probably abit sad...

but in the 944 with the "pods" down main beam only flashes the lower lights yes... could it be made to flash the lower lights and raise the pods and lower them again? like on ferraris? I gotta say as sad as it is i like it when you can flash the lights and the pods go up and then down. []

 

[944turboS]

could it be made to flash the lower lights and raise the pods and lower them again? like on ferraris?

The pods move too slowly due to the single motor & link bar set up for this to be practical.

 

[sawood12]

I can't imagine many Ferrari drivers with use that facility too often, I don't think they are generally that courteous!!!

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: sawood12

I can't imagine many Ferrari drivers with use that facility too often, I don't think they are generally that courteous!!!

obviously i ment the theory of it, like BMW have indicators fitted... but it just doesnt manage to get all the way through to putting it into practice []