[happysails2you]

Hi guys,



Suggestions???? Last night, when I turned on the headlamps, only the right light came up, but neither left nor right headlights illuminated. (I was surprised that at least the right side didn't illuminate with the light switch in the on position.) Unfortunately, in the dark, I couldn't quite figure out from the picture in the owner's guide where to find the manual control. So I drove the 2 miles home with the fog lights on and a friend driving behind me.



Today, with more daylight and less adult beverage in my system <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> , I was able to find the manual control and raise the left light. When I turned on the headlight switch, voila, both headlamps illuminated. I tested all fuses relating to headlights and headlight motors in the fuse box, and they're all ok. I didn't check any of the relays, thinking that both left and right are hooked into the same relay -- since the right light pops up just fine, that's probably not the problem?



I'm guessing that the motor on the left headlight went bad? Any other ideas? Any guess on the cost (part, labor hours) to replace the motor if that's the culprit? Something I can easily replace myself, or should I be visiting my mechanic (who, although I really like him, I thankfully haven't seen all year!).



Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions.



Cheers,

Kathy

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[968workaholic]

More than likely it was the relay. Either a loose connection in the fuse box or the relay itself just quit. When the motors start to go, normally they will become slower and slower until they stop working. Not really a fine or not fine sort of thing.

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[happysails2you]

Thanks. The headlamps have been working just fine, they go up and down and turn on without any delays, and no problems turning off. This was the first time I've ever had a problem with them over the two years I've had the car.



Are there separate relays for the two headlamp motors? If they're both on a single relay, wouldn't the relay failure cause both headlamps not to go up? I'd love it if it were just a relay and not the motor on the left side, so you've given me some hope it's an easy fix....



I'm looking at the lid of the fuse box and don't see any relay for the headlamp motors. The only things that look like lights are G15 (headlamp washing system, which is empty since it doesn't have that option), and G17+G18 ("control unit light combination"). G11 is the foglight. Could it be G17+G18? If so, recommendations on where to source a new relay?



Thanks!

Kathy

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[happysails2you]

My mechanic's going to take a look at it tomorrow. Anyone have a good source for a new headlamp motor? He said he replaced the motor on my friend's 968 and he couldn't find it except from Porsche....I'd rather see if I can get it from another source if it's needed. I didn't see it on the Paragon website...ideas?



Thanks!

Kathy

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[sasilverbullet]

It probably doesn't need to be replaced, just taken apart and the contacts cleaned.

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[happysails2you]

Mechanic took it apart and said the motor's definitely dead and needs to be replaced.



Choices: $1128 for a new motor from Porsche (Yikes!!!!) <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/ohmy.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> , $42-85 for a used motor from a dismantler. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Or, the motor for a 944, new, is $278. Does anyone know if the headlamp motor for the 944 can be used on a 968? I'm thinking that the 968 headlight swivels forward toward the bumper and the 944 probably swivels backward toward the windshield (but I haven't looked at one so I'm not sure that's the case)....so the motors may be different altogether or maybe you just use the reverse side 944 motor? (use the 944 right side motor on the 968 driver side)



I hate to put old parts on the car because they're all just aging at the same rate, but on the other hand, I can buy and install a lot of $85 motors for $1128.



I have no experience with getting parts from dismantlers. Some I found through eBay, others I've just found by poking around. What issues are there with buying from dismantlers (some say they'll provide a warranty or guarantee for 60 or 90 days)? Any particular dismantlers you have used that you'd recommend? Looks like DC Automotive, Oklahoma Foreign, or Parts Heaven might all be ok, but would like any feedback.



Thanks!

Kathy

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[Darryl]

[quote name='happysails2you' post='44382' date='Dec 6 2007, 01:49 PM']Mechanic took it apart and said the motor's definitely dead and needs to be replaced.



Choices: $1128 for a new motor from Porsche (Yikes!!!!) <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/ohmy.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> , $42-85 for a used motor from a dismantler. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Or, the motor for a 944, new, is $278. Does anyone know if the headlamp motor for the 944 can be used on a 968? I'm thinking that the 968 headlight swivels forward toward the bumper and the 944 probably swivels backward toward the windshield (but I haven't looked at one so I'm not sure that's the case)....so the motors may be different altogether or maybe you just use the reverse side 944 motor? (use the 944 right side motor on the 968 driver side)



I hate to put old parts on the car because they're all just aging at the same rate, but on the other hand, I can buy and install a lot of $85 motors for $1128.



I have no experience with getting parts from dismantlers. Some I found through eBay, others I've just found by poking around. What issues are there with buying from dismantlers (some say they'll provide a warranty or guarantee for 60 or 90 days)? Any particular dismantlers you have used that you'd recommend? Looks like DC Automotive, Oklahoma Foreign, or Parts Heaven might all be ok, but would like any feedback.



Thanks!

Kathy[/quote]





Kathy,



Yes, you're right about being able to buy lots of motors @ 85 bucks versus 1128 for a new one. That's a common dilema with our cars most of the time, especially with electrical parts.



The part number for the headlight motors are as follows:



968 driver side - 944.624.051.00

968 passenger side - 944.624.052.00

G19 is the relay.



944 - 477.941.379B



So, no, they are not the same. The 944 has a bar that connects the two lights together and the 968 has two separate independent motors. Sorry... I think you'd do fine with a used motor, especially for the price. I know there are rebuilt starters, rebuilt alternators, etc, but haven't heard of any factory refurbished headlight motors. I've bought some 944 stuff from Oklahoma Foreign but most of my goodies come from eBay. Call around to see who has recent 968 wrecks. Good luck with your search.



- Darryl

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[Anchorman]

...or find an owner that never drives at night and would be interested in losing the weight of the motors. Hmmm...who comes to mind in a Flash?

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[happysails2you]

[quote name='Anchorman' post='44396' date='Dec 6 2007, 07:29 PM']...or find an owner that never drives at night and would be interested in losing the weight of the motors. Hmmm...who comes to mind in a Flash?[/quote]





Hehehehehe...like your thinking, Anchorman! Wonder he'd swap a motor for my original Porsche floor mat clips, which he said were like gold! (If so, that should be a BIG motor, not the headlamp motor <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> )



Thanks Darryl for your advice. We ordered the left motor yesterday from Oklahoma Foreign for $75. Now what is it they say about shoe strings....when one breaks, the other's not too far behind????

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