[MCL968]

I agree, clean the contacts and lube the linkage, as sometimes the linkage slows things down. I had the same problem with my left light and cleaning the contacts on the relay and lubing all the hinge points and the linkage arms solved the problem. Mine would light up, but not go up. Handy for planes flying over, but not so much for driving.

 

Popping the relay open is pretty simple, and some fine grit sandpaper folded in half (so there is abrasive on both sides) worked wonders. Be aware, there are a few relays involved and they have multiple contact points each. Clean the top and bottom contacts on all of the relay arms, then spray them off with a good contact cleaner and you are all set.

 

Matt

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[Spokayman]

I will give electrical cleaning a good try first. I will have to study up on how to access and lube the linkages.

Thank you for the suggestions!

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[MCL968]

It's easiest if you pull out the air box and lube the linkage and hinges from the side. Get a good light source in there and you will be able to see what needs attention.

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[LES]

Having a similar problem. Maybe a stupid question but here goes, “the relay that needs to be cleaned is in the fuse box under the hood?” As with others, my driver’s side light works though it closes slowly but the passenger side goes up but will not go down. New Jersey ocean air is really hard on our cars. Thanks for your help!

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[MCL968]

If they go up, the relay is likely fine. Start by removing the airbox and getting some lube on the linkage rods and the pivot points. I am betting that will solve the problem.

 

In answer to your question, yes it is in the fusebox, it's a large relay because it is really two relays in one case, but before you do that, lube the linkage and the pivots.

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[LES]

Thanks for the guidance. Thoroughly cleaned the linkage. Was unable to remove the relay. Didn’t want to pull too hard and break something expensive...something I did before! Lights go up great and, when I turn them off they just hang in the up position. I can easily lower them without much pressure. The driver’s side will partially close, about half way. So my question, is there an actual mechanical connection that lowers the lights because I can’t see one?

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[Waylander]

The same motor that raises them, lowers them

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[MCL968]

The relay is difficult to get out because it has so many connections. Once you get it out, using a thin screwdriver pop off the plastic cap. Then take some fine grit sandpaper and fold it in half so there is abrasive on both sides. Clean the contacts top and bottom on each of the relays. Everything should be fine after that.

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[LES]

Saw a 2012 posting by Flash that say the lights are “gravity fed.” If that’s accurate and, knowing Flash’s history, I’m sure it is, I’m thinking my problem is binding of the hinge. So I’m going to check out the manual and lubricate the hinges.


Thanks for your advice and suggestions! Now that I’m sheltering in place I’m guessing I’ll have plenty of time to get the lights working.


Thanks

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[MCL968]

I had one that used to go down kind of slowly and sometimes not go down all the way. After lubing the heck out of everything and working them up and down they now are fine. After I cleaned the relay they now go up at the same speed too!

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[LES]

Update - purchased the Tri Flow cleaner and lube.   Thoroughly cleaned the linkage and hinge. Lubed the hell out of my headlight linkage and hinges and pulled the relay.  Relay looked clean but gave it a good cleaning as well.  Worked the headlights up and down by hand repeatedly and now, both headlights go up and down as they should!  I spent a few days between cleaning and lubing in order to give the cleaner time to work.  Thanks for all the suggestions...saved me a lot of frustration and the cost of taking the car to a mechanic.

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[snova]

I had one that used to go down kind of slowly and sometimes not go down all the way. After lubing the heck out of everything and working them up and down they now are fine. After I cleaned the relay they now go up at the same speed too!

I have this exact problem.  They go up fine.   However one sometimes doesn't go down all the way.  Gravity slow lowers it further down but not completely.  Not stuck open, just not falling down all the way by itself.

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[Waylander]

Probably needs some serious lubing, the whole mech is seriously over engineered, I expect the bushes are all dry


Also clean all the contacts on the relay

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[snova]

This hobby wouldn't be much fun if everything in the car just worked. ;-)

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[Waylander]

Thats the whole point, who would want a car that just works with no tinkering time,


Done nothing to mine this year really, must replace a blown driving light bulb, that should be the last of the big jobs for 2020 on the car, the bike however has kept me busy


I could revisit the digital gauges again in the winter, want to get the tyre pressure monitor working in that

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[snova]

completely in agreement with you there.  Feeling like I am getting pretty close to getting it sorted, so I picked up an 80's Benz to keep myself busy.

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[Inkedupfatboy]

I may be the odd duck out, but I want everything to just work. I don't have the time, tools, space, inclination or energy to fart around with headlights that won't go down. I had one do this, found a working motor on ebay for $100 and paid my mechanic to replace it.

 

Now my transmissions for the top went out and I don't really want to pay $1400 for a pair plus the labor to replace them, but I enjoyed having a powered top. For me it's the having and enjoying, not the doing. I have too many unfinished projects....


For sale 1994 well sorted cab....

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[94SilverCab]

I may be the odd duck out, but I want everything to just work. I don't have the time, tools, space, inclination or energy to fart around with headlights that won't go down. I had one do this, found a working motor on ebay for $100 and paid my mechanic to replace it.

 

Now my transmissions for the top went out and I don't really want to pay $1400 for a pair plus the labor to replace them, but I enjoyed having a powered top. For me it's the having and enjoying, not the doing. I have too many unfinished projects....

For sale 1994 well sorted cab....

 

FYI, I'm 100% with you. My free time is very valuable. When I have a free afternoon, and the sun is shining, I want to get behind the wheel and turn the key.

 

The only puttering I want to do is detailing, which I tend to take on one panel at a time.

 

Jay

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[Inkedupfatboy]

lol- detail, what's that. I haven't washed the car in over a year - it's been on the road once and that was to the mechanic and the tire installer. Then back to the garage.

I wish someone who says they want one, would buy mine...

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[jimmywhisker]

Just had the same problem - although mine was intermittent and just one light - which took some time to diagnose.  Finally replaced the relay and everything started working again.  Also went through the trouble of cleaning relay box and applying dialectic grease to the relays as recommended.  Fingers crossed that this lasts another 10 years, as the old relay had been 'worked on' by a previous owner.  I had real trouble locating a relay, Porsche quoted $480 in Australia with no commitment of a delivery time.  I picked up a used one from a great guy in New Zealand after hours of online searching.  I will open my old relay at some stage and clean the internal contacts as Advocate has suggested and keep as a backup.

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