Litronic retrofit question

[KevinH90]

So, I would have to take it to the dealer.  I may ask, but I will probably find that they are either (1) unwilling to do it or (2) will want more money than I think it is worth.

 

Here's a video of my lights in operation:

 

 

In sequence I do the following:

 

1. Turn on the lights with the ignition switch on - the lights go through their self-leveling routine

2. Switch on the high beams and the Xenon low beams swivel up

3. Switch off the high beams

4. Slightly raise the front of the car using a jack

 

It seems that the beams swivel down slightly, but not as much as I expected.  It also seems that after a relatively short range, the lights don't adjust at all.

 

I'd appreciate hearing whether others think this is proper operation.

Edited March 21, 2015 by KevinH90

[JFP in PA]

So, I would have to take it to the dealer.  I may ask, but I will probably find that they are either (1) unwilling to do it or (2) will want more money than I think it is worth.

 

 

 

That depends upon the dealer.  Some time back, Porsche NA instituted a program with their dealer network concerning activation of options that were not on the car when delivered, which requires the dealer to charge the owner an amount equivalent to what the option would have cost.  Some dealers have chosen to ignore this, particularly for a good repeat customer; others not so much.  You might be better off looking for and independent with a PIWIS. 

[KevinH90]

Thanks - That is good to know.

 

I've only used the local dealer for service once - I needed them to certify that the brake fluid had been changed before a DE.  So, I doubt that they would consider me a good repeat customer.  I also doubt that the independent shop I go to has a PIWIS.  He does not specialize in Porsches.  (Although he does a fair amount of work on them.  When my car was in for wheel bearing replacement he was putting an engine in a 996.)  I'm really comfortable with this shop and I guess I'll just need to deal with this relatively minor downside of using an independent.

 

There are a couple of Porsche specialists in the area.  If one of them were to have a PIWIS and would be willing to activate the diagnostic system for me,  what is the best approach?  Should I hook up the diagnostic system and drive the car over to them?  I'm assuming this would cause the CEL to illuminate, but that the car would be drivable.  I'm also assuming that I would need to connect the ESO wire to pin 11.  Does an hour of labor seem reasonable for the job? 

 

I'm still not sure that this is working correctly and given that the sensors I used are off a wreck it would be nice to be able to test the  system for signs of a problem.  I am planning to keep the car long term and components could fail over time even if they are good now.

[JFP in PA]

Thanks - That is good to know.

 

I've only used the local dealer for service once - I needed them to certify that the brake fluid had been changed before a DE.  So, I doubt that they would consider me a good repeat customer.  I also doubt that the independent shop I go to has a PIWIS.  He does not specialize in Porsches.  (Although he does a fair amount of work on them.  When my car was in for wheel bearing replacement he was putting an engine in a 996.)  I'm really comfortable with this shop and I guess I'll just need to deal with this relatively minor downside of using an independent.

 

There are a couple of Porsche specialists in the area.  If one of them were to have a PIWIS and would be willing to activate the diagnostic system for me,  what is the best approach?  Should I hook up the diagnostic system and drive the car over to them?  I'm assuming this would cause the CEL to illuminate, but that the car would be drivable.  I'm also assuming that I would need to connect the ESO wire to pin 11.  Does an hour of labor seem reasonable for the job? 

 

I'm still not sure that this is working correctly and given that the sensors I used are off a wreck it would be nice to be able to test the  system for signs of a problem.  I am planning to keep the car long term and components could fail over time even if they are good now.

 

It should not be hard for someone with a PIWIS and some DME knowledge to code the system in an hour.  I'd call around and see if you can find an indy to help you with this project.  I also would not write off all dealers either, a phone call would cost very little and you might catch a service manager on a good day.