924Board.org

Lau Christophersen · Joined: 17 May 2013 Posts: 123 Location: Denmark/Copenhagen

Hallo.
I have some problems with the headlights on my Porsche 924 2,0 from 1983.

I can get light in the long beam light by lifting the "light-indicator-stick" towards the steering wheel but i can not get any short beam light on.
I looked for bad bulbs but seems to be okay what can the problem be?

Maybe dead headlight relay, or will the long light also be dead then?

I hope you guys can help me I am not good at electrics

Paul · Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2013 8:15 am Post subject:

There are 4 fuses for the headlights, one for each element in the bulbs. Check all 4.
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Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
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Lau Christophersen · Joined: 17 May 2013 Posts: 123 Location: Denmark/Copenhagen

I allready checked the 4 fuses, sorry I forgot to tell.

scm924s · Joined: 22 Oct 2010 Posts: 296 Location: Gloucester UK

Not sure there is a relay on post '80 924?

Had a similar problem on my S, turned out to be a broken wire in the loom in the engine bay.
_________________
1984 n/a Ruby Red Metallic
1988 924S Guards red- sold
1986 924S Guards Red - sold
1984 n/a Black - sold
1980 n/a Le Mans#1 - sold
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ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

The headlight relay was deleted on late cars (79 or 80 onward, I believe). Instead, there is a jumper at the relay board where the relay would have been on an early car. Make sure the jumper is still intact. I ran into this problem when I swapped a fuse block on my 81 NA with a donor from an early car that didn't have the jumper. Easy enough to replace. It's possible but unlikely that the jumper has fallen out.

More likely is either a bad terminal somewhere at the fuse block or a failed switch.

The white multi-pin connector at the back of the fuse block is the one that carries the connections for the exterior lights. Some of the pins in there are notorious for burning. These can be cleaned up with the usual assortment of abrasive tools. I recommended dropping the fuse block out of the metal bracket and removing all six of the large connectors. Get a flashlight (and if you're eyes are failing like mine, a pair of reading glasses) and carefully inspect the ALL of the pins on the fuse block, and all of the female receivers on each of the connectors. While you're under there, clean up the two ground crowns above the fuse block.

The other distinct possibility is a failed headlight switch. If you get the wiring diagram, you should be able to identify which wire at the switch harness carries power to the low beams. Pull the harness off enough that you can get your multimeter lead onto the pins on the switch itself while it's still plugged into the harness. With the switch in off position, identify which lead is supposed to provide power to the switch. If this reads 12V, then the problem is not at the supply side, otherwise the problem is at the fuse block. Then put the switch to ON, identify which lead is supposed to switch power to the lights themselves. If it reads 12V, then your problem is between the switch and the lights (most likely the aforementioned white connector), otherwise the switch is bad.

Disclaimer: I'm recounting above info from memory; the basic diagnostic approach should work, but you should verify current flow with the wiring diagram rather than relying on my faulty memory.

You can read more about my related experiences here: http://www.924board.org/viewtopic.php?t=24855
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

Lau Christophersen · Joined: 17 May 2013 Posts: 123 Location: Denmark/Copenhagen

Thank you - now I have something to check in the weekend

dubrict · Joined: 22 Apr 2011 Posts: 150 Location: Horseheads NY

Pop the headlight switch out of your dash and spray some electrical contact cleaner in it first, before you start tearing apart wiring
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1979 924 NA
2009 Chevy Impala
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fiat22turbo · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 4040 Location: Portland, OR

It may sound stupid, but try pushing in on the stalk when switching between high and low beams. If that works then you've got a cracked switch plate.
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Stefan
1979 924 Carrera GTS (clone-ish)
1988 944 Turbo S (Silver Rose)

McGyver · Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 5:08 am Post subject:

That could sounds stupid

but have you tried rotate the first 2 fuses?

I have problems with lights... and they sometimes disappear, but fuses was ok. I just touch the fuse and lights come back again... same problem with flasher lights. I think I have to replace or clean somehow fuse box.
Is a good idea to sandblasting the fuse box contacts pins and fuse seats ?
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