Headlights failure - 986

[Aussie2000S]

Hi guys

My 00 986 seems to have had a headlight failure of some description. When the switch is turned to "on" the lights are on but they are in parker mode, on but dull. High beam and driving lights still work, but not low beam.

Can anyone suggest where to start looking?

The switch seems to work fine, as it dims the interior, activates the driving lights etc, its just that low beam is very very dull

Cheers

[PTEC]

If the switch seems to have full functionality still but the low beams seem dull, its possible that you just have two burnt out bulbs. Check the bulbs carefully to make all the bulbs are coming on.

[Aussie2000S]

Thanks for that. Although both bulbs blowing at the same moment would be unlikely, its still possible.

Cheers

[PTEC]

Who says they blew at the same moment... you may have just now noticed.

[Aussie2000S]

Unfortunately it did happen at once, which concerns me a little. Either way I will check the bulbs and fingers crossed that is it.

Cheers

[Sandy]

Hi guys

My 00 986 seems to have had a headlight failure of some description. When the switch is turned to "on" the lights are on but they are in parker mode, on but dull. High beam and driving lights still work, but not low beam.

Can anyone suggest where to start looking?

The switch seems to work fine, as it dims the interior, activates the driving lights etc, its just that low beam is very very dull

Cheers

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Assuming you don't have two burned-out low beam bulbs, here's a couple of other things you could try:

If you have manual height control for your headlights, can you tell if the control is functioning when the lights are on and the ignition switch is on?

Have you checked fuses A9 & A10?

Try wiggling the headlight switch back and forth slightly in the full "ON" position to see if the low beams illuminate intermittently.

[JapanEuropePorsche]

I had a panicked call from my wife on the autobahn with a similar headlights problem (and it was raining and the wipers didn't work either) Here is how to prevent it:

Apparently the ignition key can turn "too far" which causes the headlights (and my wipers) to not work properly.

When I start the car, I now always check to see that the ignition key is back at its "seated" position (you will be able to feel this when you turn the key) and not too far over.

good luck.

Hi guys

My 00 986 seems to have had a headlight failure of some description. When the switch is turned to "on" the lights are on but they are in parker mode, on but dull. High beam and driving lights still work, but not low beam.

Can anyone suggest where to start looking?

The switch seems to work fine, as it dims the interior, activates the driving lights etc, its just that low beam is very very dull

Cheers

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Aussie2000S]

Hi guys

Thanks for all of the replies. I have been a little slack in reporting back.

Basically it was fixed in two seconds, both bulbs had infact blow at once. The mechanic desibed the situation as a very common one, where apparently both bulbs are on the same circuit, so when one blows it can momentarily give the other bulb a power spike, and take it out as well.

Luckily an easy fix. Thanks for all of the replies

[Okbye2]

I had a similar problem with the ignition switch. The lights would not work or the a/c because the switch wouldnt come back to the normal position after crancking the engine. Dealer changed it now everything works. thanks warranty! :beer:

I had a panicked call from my wife on the autobahn with a similar headlights problem (and it was raining and the wipers didn't work either)  Here is how to prevent it:

Apparently the ignition key can turn "too far" which causes the headlights (and my wipers) to not work properly. 

When I start the car, I now always check to see that the ignition key is back at its "seated" position (you will be able to feel this when you turn the key) and not too far over.

good luck.

Hi guys

My 00 986 seems to have had a headlight failure of some description. When the switch is turned to "on" the lights are on but they are in parker mode, on but dull. High beam and driving lights still work, but not low beam.

Can anyone suggest where to start looking?

The switch seems to work fine, as it dims the interior, activates the driving lights etc, its just that low beam is very very dull

Cheers

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[pvaughan]

I am having a similar problemwith my MY99. The left headlight is dim. No low beam. I'd like to chanee the bulb but I'm not seeing how get to it. Any advice?

Thanks in advance.

-pvaughan

[jmeyer05]

Pvaughn,

the removal of the front headlight assembly is described in your manual. The bulbs can be accessed and replaced after you remove the unit.