Lights on Full Beam staying on or no lights

[Gunners]

Can anyone point me in the correct direction where to look first?

Coming home late last night in the dark and wet weather driving my 964. I had to take a different route home just before getting on the M40. The road before the M40 was rather bumpy and went on for about 2 miles. All was fine before I left for my journey back. As I joined the motorway I noticed the full beam light on the dashboard had come on, the only way I could turn the full beam off was to hold the light stork. but this meant I had no lights at all.

When I indicated right the lights were still full beam, when I indicated left there were no lights at all, which meant I was going along in total darkness. I had two options (A) - pullover at 1am in the morning on the hard shoulder with no lights on a unlit motorway and wait for the AA or (B) - drive home with one nervous passenger (wife) on full beam, while being flashed all the way home, I choose (B) []

No previous problems before, it may have been the bumpy road which may have given it a loose connection? not to sure which to check first, any ideas?

Les

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Les,

One of the most common problems in this area is the column stalk assembly itself. The internal contacts seem to suffer with age and the only real solution is to get a new one. The assembly is all one piece I'm afraid - somebody said last week they were quoted around £200 - but be careful. There are several different versions depending on the options fitted to your car. Headlamp washers, trip computer and cruise control all add to the basic indicator, lights and wiper/washer controls.

They do occasionally come up on eBay, but the availability of so many optional bits means you'd be pretty lucky to find the right one - and then it might be worn as badly as yours anyway!!! You'll be pleased to hear (!!) that PET lists no fewer than 38 variations on that part!!

Regards

Dave

 

[Gunners]

Hi Dave

Thank you for your email and advice, I'm hoping it only a lead that may have worked it's way loose. I will take a look at the column stalk to see if there is any age related problems, the car is 91 no trip computer/cruise control just basic indicators.

I have had the car a year it has been serviced by OPD in December, not had any problems so far. As I'm new to Porsche please can you tell me what is the PET list and where I can find it?

Thanks
Les

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Les,

PET is the Porsche Elektronische Teilelist - or, in English, the Electronic Parts List. There are various versions about - mostly illegal copies - but Porsche does provide an official PDF version here for download. It's just over 6MB is size and you'll obviously need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access it. It's indispensible for identifying parts and part numbers - no Porsche owner should be without it.

There is also a link to the same thing on the Yahoo 964 Group under "Files". If you're not already a member I can thoroughly recommend it. Click here to join.

Regards

Dave

 

[Gunners]

Dave

I have taken all apart and have checked the fuses and bulbs and they seem to be working OK. I think you are right with the stalk. I have looked at the website and your right there are many versions. Is this the sort of job that can be done by myself or do I need to take it to a garage?

Les