Headlight motor

[omigod]

After not really touching it for a month or two I was having a fiddle about with the 944 and i turned on the headlights, lights went up - then went down then up - down continuously until i turned them off. A look through the (cr*p) haynes manual i have seemed to suggest all operating mechanisms are built into the motor unit, ie no externally fitted position sensors etc
Has any one had these in bits before? I'm guessing it works on the same principle as wiper motors - is this a common problem with a simple fix? (please!!). They were working fine before xmas when I finished overhauling the oil cooler.

Dave

 

[TTM]

I have never taken one apart but I would be surprised if these motors were built with some "intelligence" in them.
Sounds more of an eletrical issue to me - Have you checked the fuse?

 

[pauljmcnulty]

I have never taken one apart but I would be surprised if these motors were built with some "intelligence" in them.

They're not! Hence, if ever working on the headlights disconnect the power. If they go up or down with your fingers in you'll know it. [&o]

 

[xenon]

If they go up and down continuously, how can it be the fuse??

The OP is correct - the motor works in the same way as a wiper motor, with a rotating contact disc that has a park postion. Mine used to stick a bit so I cleaned this disc and it was fine afterwards. Not difficult but a bit of a pain. You can remove the fuse (25 if my memory serves) and wind them up manually so at least you can drive about. I suspect the headlamp relay or the contacts on this disc. Haynes manual is useless - you need the workshop manual. Let me know your model year and I'll take a look. The wiring changed a fair bit during the lifetime.

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

They're not! Hence, if ever working on the headlights disconnect the power. If they go up or down with your fingers in you'll know it. [&o]

Funny you mentioned this Paul for I nearly got caught by the '78 924 I was working at ... Just skinned myself on the way out of the levers.... Definatlely a case of "Forewarned is Forearmed" unless you fancy losing most of your forearm that is

 

[TTM]

ORIGINAL: xenon
If they go up and down continuously, how can it be the fuse??

I don't know, I must say I never looked into this and electrics have always been magic to me, anyway [&:]

 

[omigod]

The 944 is a 1985 C plate lux (oval dash) I see some workshop manuals on CD available on ebay, are they all the same or is there a particular one I should watch out for? No heartache if i get the wrong one they are only a few quid!!

My own inpressions are dirt on the tracks, bad earth or a relay fault. I'll get myself a better manual and have a look at how it should work.

will post up findings (if i get time!!)

 

[ashonen]

hi
downloaded my manual from here for free http://www.cannell.co.uk/Manuals.htm

 

[pauljmcnulty]

No heartache if i get the wrong one they are only a few quid!!

They are available FREE! []

Rick's site has them, but I know he's going through server upgrades. Promax host them as well, I believe?

The parts manuals are listed in the faqs, along with clarks garage - essentially a Haynes manual written by someone who knows a spanner from a spaniel....[8|]

 

[ashonen]

try this link i dont think the last one was working http://www.cannell.co.uk/ and just follow the tabs for manuals at the top of the page

 

[omigod]

oops!! just bought one!! It was a credit crunch busting £4 but it does cover ALL Porsches (allegedly).

Thanks for the info on the download, I will grab it anyway and ponder over it tonight.