Litronic self-levelling function failure

[MogulBoy]

A slightly curious problem has situation has arisen on my MY02 Boxster..

A month ago, the self-levelling function one of my Litronic lights stopped working. The lamp itself still shines but it's permanently in the most-dipped position and no end of switching off and on etc would bring it back to normal.

I suspected it could have been a simple dry connection somewhere but after removing the light assembly and plugging it back, that didn't hasn't done the trick.

Yesterday, the other side failed too!

I've seen the parts catalog and note that there appears to be a little electric motor "996 631 125 00 electric motor headlight levelling system" that could be at fault but I've done a few searches and not found much about this problem and it is quite odd that the failure happened on both sides about a month apart!

Any ideas?

[RFM]

The self leveling function is covered in the body memory, (let) check the existing fault codes, there are several possibilities, power, leveling sensors, leveling motors, wiring, connectors, etc.

[MogulBoy]

The self leveling function is covered in the body memory, (let) check the existing fault codes, there are several possibilities, power, leveling sensors, leveling motors, wiring, connectors, etc.

Where are the sensors? I imagined that they were within the light units themselves but on the parts diagram, I can see that there is a control unit: Item 28 (996 618 151 15, control unit headlight levelling system) but I can't see where the "sensor headlight levelling system (see group 4/01/00 5/01/01)" parts are to be found. Are they mounted on the front suspension?

Cheers,

[RFM]

The sensors are indeed mounted on the suspension lower arms.

[geoff]

Are your Litronics factory installed or the Tequipment retrofit set? I did the Porsche retrofit, and there are no sensors on the suspension arms, only the factory version. Mine go through some up and down process when I start the car, but it's not the true leveling like the factory install, just making sure the motor works to support the high beam tilt-up function. If your lights don't move up when you turn on the high beams, check the second set of wiring that supports the high beam. Otherwise, your lights will be stuck in the most dipped position. Options for connecting the second wiring harness include clamp on connectors, pulling pins or soldering on to existing wiring, any of which could cause a problem.

If you don't have the washers for the lights, your lights were added after the factory build

[MogulBoy]

Are your Litronics factory installed or the Tequipment retrofit set? I did the Porsche retrofit, and there are no sensors on the suspension arms, only the factory version. Mine go through some up and down process when I start the car, but it's not the true leveling like the factory install, just making sure the motor works to support the high beam tilt-up function. If your lights don't move up when you turn on the high beams, check the second set of wiring that supports the high beam. Otherwise, your lights will be stuck in the most dipped position. Options for connecting the second wiring harness include clamp on connectors, pulling pins or soldering on to existing wiring, any of which could cause a problem.

If you don't have the washers for the lights, your lights were added after the factory build

I have the OEM Litronics. Just to confirm the self levelling function appears to have failed because the lights are stuck in the most dipped position. If I switch to high beam, they high beam comes on but the littronics stay on, but in the fully down position. Perhaps the fact that they are stuck down might indicate that it's the system fault rather than a faulty self-levelling motor...

With so many variables, It might be a bit beyond me to crack this so I may have to admit defeat and ask a dealer....

I still find it a bit odd that I've not seen any other posts on the interweb about this type of problem as I can't imagine I'm the first to suffer this issue!

I may post on the 996 board...

Thanks for the help and info so far guys!

[986wheelz]

The OEM Litronics install has a leveling sensor on the drivers side wheel suspension arm and also on the rear drivers side wheel suspension arm, both of these levelers connect to the litronic computer in your front trunk, the computer is on the passenger side of the trunk, the computer has a harness that connects to both Litronics. You may want to check the plugs on your Litronics to make sure they are properly connected and also check the computer to make sure the plugs are all properly plugged in.

[martialmedia]

The other day while replacing my half axle, I noticed that the wiring to that sensor was rubbed and almost broken. This was in the left wheel well. I repaired it. I'm not sure what was rubbing on it. I would check it. You just have to remove the left rear wheel. The sensor is attached to the control arm. It's pretty flimsy. The arm might have also detached or something.

[MogulBoy]

Thanks guys, I'll try and take a look at the sensors and wiring again this weekend - as long as it isn't -5C like it has been today. It's still a rather curious fact pattern though as one unit failed first and then the other one followed within a month....

[DonMo]

Finally found a discussion about this. I am new to an 01 986 and am working to make it like new, or as best I can. Today began the task of restoring the wheel wells and cleaning the wheels inside and out. I was dismayed to see what not appears to be the Litronis actuator broken at the mount to the suspension and is just dangling. How do I go about repairing this? Is it a welding thing?

Much thanks and I knew my first official post would be for a broken part.

DW

[Loren]

Finally found a discussion about this. I am new to an 01 986 and am working to make it like new, or as best I can. Today began the task of restoring the wheel wells and cleaning the wheels inside and out. I was dismayed to see what not appears to be the Litronis actuator broken at the mount to the suspension and is just dangling. How do I go about repairing this? Is it a welding thing?

Much thanks and I knew my first official post would be for a broken part.

DW

:welcome:

Which part has broken?

[DonMo]

Thanks for the quick turnaround! Part# 21 at the top of the #19 screw mount. Looking at the schematic, I'm on the way back up to take a look with this printer out. Super helpful.

Don

[DonMo]

Loren,

Now that I look at it, all that is left of #21 is the screw hole, dangling from the rest of the upper assembly. Seems the rest if missing. Could this be a replacement A-Arm without it?

[Loren]

Ok - you lost me there .

Can you tell me what parts (item numbers) you need?

[DonMo]

Ok - you lost me there .

Can you tell me what parts (item numbers) you need?

Sorry. Looking at the drawing you posted part #21 is missing. The other two assemblies on the rear wheels are OK.

[Loren]

Ok - you lost me there .

Can you tell me what parts (item numbers) you need?

Sorry. Looking at the drawing you posted part #21 is missing. The other two assemblies on the rear wheels are OK.

Item 21

996.341.371.03 Support -- US MSRP $3.80

[DonMo]

Ok - you lost me there .

Can you tell me what parts (item numbers) you need?

Sorry. Looking at the drawing you posted part #21 is missing. The other two assemblies on the rear wheels are OK.

Item 21

996.341.371.03 Support -- US MSRP $3.80

Thanks Loren.

[DonMo]

Loren,

Again, many thanks for the part number. Have had an NSX for years and it's just not possible to find people with the info you guys here have, makes the Boxster S project much fun.

The part number you provided, 996.341.371.03, seems to be available at a parts house in NC but their minimum order is well above the price of this part. I will attempt to order through the dealer tomorrow but it's a pain to get there. Have you suggestions of a good place to order from?

Also, it looks like the part snaps into the suspension arm, do you have any experience with it and am I correct in my assumption?

Thanks for you time. Best,

Don

[Loren]

Loren,

Again, many thanks for the part number. Have had an NSX for years and it's just not possible to find people with the info you guys here have, makes the Boxster S project much fun.

The part number you provided, 996.341.371.03, seems to be available at a parts house in NC but their minimum order is well above the price of this part. I will attempt to order through the dealer tomorrow but it's a pain to get there. Have you suggestions of a good place to order from?

Also, it looks like the part snaps into the suspension arm, do you have any experience with it and am I correct in my assumption?

Thanks for you time. Best,

Don

Sunset Porsche (Porsche Parts at Dealer Cost) link at top right of any page.

Or since the cost is so low any local Porsche dealer - but don't pay over MSRP. Dealers that charge over MSRP make me angry.

[john330]

I know this thread is a bit old, but I just found my leveling arms dangling there while changing my brakes. I nearest dealer wanted $9 for the part. Thats 2-3x MSRP!! I never drive the boxster at night so I'll just wait until I need some other parts and added to my next order from sunset.

[Loren]

Current MSRP is $3.81

[1dmurrray]

Adding to the knowledge base. I ran a Durametric on my '01 996 C4 after a ROW M030 suspension kit install, and got the following faults for the Litronic HBA:

Current Fault Codes

1:Engine path left

2:Engine path right

3:Axle-position sensor front

4:Axle-position sensor rear

Inspected the front sensor and saw that part #21 was hanging. It must have gotten dislodged during the suspension install. I snapped it back into place, cleared the codes, and all is well again.

Nothing in the Bentley Book on this. Glad I have this forum to rely on.

Edited June 8, 2013 by 1dmurrray

[michael419]

I had a similar issue on my litronic headlamps (UK RHD car) where the self levelling stoppped working on both headlamps.

 

I removed the both headlamps to find the one of the litronic connectors had worked its way loose. Connecting it back in place fixed the issue.

 

So I can conclude that if the connector for one of the headlamps (litronic lamps only) becomes disconnected, the self-levelling on both lamps will stop operating correctly.