Headlight Adjuster Question

[bmnelsc]

I have a '91 S2 with the adjustable headlights - the three position dial switch on the console. My dial spins pretty freely with no noticeable detents or "stops" when getting to position 0, 1 or 2 (other than hitting the end of travel). Is this normal or should there be a "stop" at each dial position? Basically, it feels like there is no contact in the potentiometer.

My headlights don't respond to the switch anymore (used to but somewhat intermittent) so I'm trying to figure out how its supposed to behave before starting diagnosis (checking power at the connector, etc).
Also - I assume the headlight adjusting motors can be lubed with electrical switch cleaner/lube with no ill effects? (The spray you used to use on your stereo's volume and balance controls when the crackly noises weren't down to the LP) .

Thanks in advance.

 

[944Scott]

Mines the same, please somebody help us out here.

 

[david924s]

My adjuster switch has not obvious stopping point it rolls smoothly through all points but if I stop at the various points the lights do move and stay either lower or higher.

 

[peanut]

theres a headlight height adjuster switch ?[8|] ..................... I'll have to look for it. I've only had my car 7x years[].

[]

 

[eddieedmo]

mine is the same , tested with switch in each position and found voltages to o/s motor ok but the n/s is the problem , not found out why yet but will probably be in the loom or earth somewhere.
Test procedure is in the Porsche 944 repair manual- electrical section 94.

Nick []

 

[944Turbo]

ORIGINAL: peanut

theres a headlight height adjuster switch ?[8|] ..................... I'll have to look for it. I've only had my car 7x years[].

[]

only on later cars, it was a fader for the radio in the early oval dash cars - to the right of the gear stick

 

[peanut]

ORIGINAL: 944Turbo

ORIGINAL: peanut

theres a headlight height adjuster switch ?[8|] ..................... I'll have to look for it. I've only had my car 7x years[].

[]

only on later cars, it was a fader for the radio in the early oval dash cars - to the right of the gear stick

wouldn't surprise me if there was one to be honest. I only found out how the fog lamp switches worked last year as the car failed the MOT.
neither I nor the tester knew how to get the fog lamps on ....I kid you not

 

[944Turbo]

Thats alright I had done about 30,000 miles in 944's before I discovered the 3 speed (+interval) wipers - was looking for something else in the handbook!

 

[peanut]

ORIGINAL: 944Turbo

Thats alright I had done about 30,000 miles in 944's before I discovered the 3 speed (+interval) wipers - was looking for something else in the handbook!

[][][]

I've only got 2x speeds these days ....slow and stopped ......all my get-up-and-go has got up and gone [&o]

 

[bmnelsc]

Thanks for the info - I'll start with electrical checks then and go from there.

 

[924nutter]

Hi guys, just to keep it moving, I move the adjuster through the range of movement about once a month (that's how often I drive it now if have the 996) I f I remember corectly there is a detent at the neutral position. Mine's only done 44,500 miles so let me check tomorrow and get back to you.

 

[Alpine]

does anyone know how the adjuster actually works? I'd like to fix mine (one doesn't work) but never got round to it.

 

[peanut]

haven't a clue []

Well its highly unlikely to physically shift the headlamp pods so I would imagine that it adjusts the limit-switch stop position for the light pods []

I'm as intrigued as anyone as I wasn't even aware the cars had one []

 

[924nutter]

From what I can see from pet there is a some kind of motor, stepper motor? each side that moves with the pod mount that do not appear to be connected to the raising mechanism. It appears to replace the lower aim adjusting screw and electrically rotates the adjuster.

 

[944 man]

Motors within the pods. This is why the headlamps are different for 1988MY onwards cars. Earlier cars which dont have trimable aim use a cheaper Golf-like lamp, but later cars use a unique and far more expensive lamp.

 

[peanut]

ORIGINAL: 944 man
Earlier cars which dont have trimable aim use a cheaper Golf-like lamp, but later cars use a unique and far more expensive lamp.

so you're saying us pre 90 guys are cheap then yeah ?[]

 

[Alpine]

ORIGINAL: 944 man

Motors within the pods. This is why the headlamps are different for 1988MY onwards cars. Earlier cars which dont have trimable aim use a cheaper Golf-like lamp, but later cars use a unique and far more expensive lamp.

anyone know if the motors can be lubricated? I've had a look at mine and the motors seem to be sealed units. One of mine doesn't work at all and the other moves slowly and sounds like it needs a good oil, but not sure where to do so.

 

[eddieedmo]

are you getting the right voltage to the trimming motors - check this first in each position with lights on. terminals 1 & 2. the voltage between T1 & T3 should be as battery voltage.
pos 0 - ov
pos1 - 2.0-2.7v
pos2 - 2.6-3.4v

unplug motor connectors first then switch on lights before you check voltages.

Nick

 

[944 man]

ORIGINAL: peanut

ORIGINAL: 944 man
Earlier cars which dont have trimable aim use a cheaper Golf-like lamp, but later cars use a unique and far more expensive lamp.

so you're saying us pre 90 guys are cheap then yeah ?[]

Up to MY87 = cheap and 1988MY and later are expensive Nick. []

 

[peanut]

ORIGINAL: 944 man

Up to MY87 = cheap and 1988MY and later are expensive Nick. []
[/quote]

so my 89 is lush then [] preen .....

(peanut trundles off to discover his headlight adjust switch)