[Restomoto]

Hi Porsche 968 friends,

 

I have a problem with the headlamps of my car and I wonder could anyone offer any help.

 

I took my car (Porsche 968, Cabriolet, year 1993) from the garage just one week ago, where it was staying a long time (a couple of years). It started nicely and then I turn the headlights on and only the left one came up and went down but the right one stayed down all the time. The lights came also for the both lamps. So the only problem was, that the right headlamp stayed down all the time.

 

I checked first the fuse ( number 2, headlamp motor), but it was ok. Naturally, because I assumed, that the fuse number 2 is for both headlamps and when the left was was working ok, the problem is not the fuse. 

 

Then I checked the relay (G17+G18, the combination relay, the big black box relay, Porsche number 944.618.205.00 in the fuse/relay box). I asked my self, if the left headlamp comes up and goes down, is the the relay ok or not.

Can the relay be broken if one one headlamp is working normally. Can anyone help me in this? I hate to spend around 270€ ( around 300$) for the relay, if the relay in the car is ok.

 

Now I am in the situation, that I have taken the both headlamps up to " a fixing position" by pulling the handle under the lid near the headlamps. In this way the created cap between the fender and the headlamp offers me an opportunity to lubricate the hinges of the headlamp lifting mechanism. But so far I have not succeeded to cure the problem. The right headlamp stays down all the time.

 

Does anyone know the way to test the headlamp lifting motor, while it is still in the car. The electric wire comes to the headlamp motor and there is a connection and the plug in the wire near the motor. There are 5 connections in the plug.

How I test, if the headlamp motor gets the current and voltage. Which pins in the plug are for what purpose for the motor ?. How can I test it with the normal electric current and voltage tester? Can anyone help me in this?

 

There are used motors for sale with a decent prices, but again I hate to purchase a used motor without testing first that one I have in the car. And always there is a chance to try to fix the motor (etc. the oxidized collector surfaces and the coals), if it is not working.

 

I believe, that in this 968 Forum there are many experts of Porsche 968, who may assist me, Thank You in advance

 

With Compliments and Best Regards

Erkki from Finland, Helsinki

 

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[Waylander]

Hi Erkki

On the top of the motor, there is a plastic cap, remove this and there is a manual knob you can use to raise / lower the light

Just by using this and then trying the electrical option you may well get it moving

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[Restomoto]

Dear Waylander,

Thank you for this.

I certainly try that. I came yesterday back to Helsinki, so I will try your advise on next Friday, when I am again in the countryside, where my Porsche is. I try also to check, if the headlamp motor gets current. I try to measure the voltage from the wire, which comes to the motor. I disconnect the plug and I will test every of those 5 pins if there are any life. I hope there is. I will inform here in the Forum about the results during next weekend.

Erkki

PS: By the way. Referring your " Looking for a Barn Yamaha RD 400 E or F"; we have here in Finland very active group of people interested in Japanese motorcycles. You can visit their website (https://japsistarat-ry7.webnode.fi/japsi...n-english/). If you wish to follow their website more closely, please try to use google translator, because I believe that the main info there is only in Finnish. My motorcycle life is with the British Classic Bikes.

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[oppositelock]

See attached.  This may help. Not a full wiring schematic, but shows the motors and the relay. Terminals 30 are power.  The relay is a complicated mechanical relay that looses functionality if it sits. Mechanical points inside like to freeze up and stick open or closed. I've never opened one, but you might have luck opening it up.  My left side light did not come up smoothly after winter storage and the relay was making all kinds of noise. I replaced the relay and all was good. Kept the old one for future use. Will open it up some day.

Headlamp Motors and Relay.pdf Size: 521.85 KB  Downloads: 20

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[MCL968]

See attached.  This may help. Not a full wiring schematic, but shows the motors and the relay. Terminals 30 are power.  The relay is a complicated mechanical relay that looses functionality if it sits. Mechanical points inside like to freeze up and stick open or closed. I've never opened one, but you might have luck opening it up.  My left side light did not come up smoothly after winter storage and the relay was making all kinds of noise. I replaced the relay and all was good. Kept the old one for future use. Will open it up some day.

Headlamp Motors and Relay.pdf

I have opened mine up and cleaned the contacts and it was no big deal. The cover pops off with a couple of small f;at screwdrivers. Fold a sheet of relatively smooth sandpaper (I used 120 grit) in half do there is abrasive on both sides, put it in the contact points and clean both at the same time. Do top and bottom points and you are back in business.

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[Restomoto]

Dear oppositelock, MCL968 and waylander,

Thank you of your kind and good advice.

I will check again my Porsche this coming weekend and next week. I'll let You know about the progress.

With Compliments

Erkki 

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[Waylander]

You are more than welcome, its what we are all here for,

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[Restomoto]

Dear All,

Thank you.

Yes, the problem is solved. I took the relay out from the relay box. I took the cover off and cleaned all four contacts and all the connectors. By using two flat screwdrivers the cover moved rather easily. I pushed it back to the relay box, but then the right headlamp worked ok but the left didn't pop up. I came to that conclusion, that there might be some bad connection also in base of the relay box. I lifted the relay slightly and that helped. Now both the headlamps work as they should. I will use some electrical improvement spray for the base of the relay box. Maybe the long garage time with moisture has caused some bad connections there.

 

With Compliments and Best Regards

Erkki

From Finland, Helsinki

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[MCL968]

Glad it worked out.

 

Now, remove the air cleaner box and lube the joints and the hinges for both lights. That will make them go up and down easier and more evenly. If you remove the air box and life the light by hand you can see the hinge point and the rods that connect to the motor. I like to use an air gun to blow everything out of there and then lube the rods and hinges. I do this every couple of years and the lights are smooth and even.

 

M-

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[Restomoto]

Thanks. yes I will do it.

The headlamps must work fluently every time. This is the most important. We have here also a regulation, that when you are driving the headlights of the car must be on all the time ( also during the day time ). 

All the best to you and have a great coming autumn.

Erkki

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