Headlight Question

[944 man]

1988 model year onwards lamps have a level adjustment. 1987 model year cars dont. If you had a later car you could use the cheaper Golf-type parts, if you were prepared to forego the adjustment. Simon

 

[VanhireBoys]

Gents
As you all know I am getting my "Acceptable Mistress" back on the road this month. I have a crack in one of my headlights and the other reflector is tarnished.. Both need replacement.

I have 2 question for ye all.. There are 2 types of headlights a cheap one and a dear one.. One is up to 87 the other is 87 on. My car was manufactured in March 87 and is fitted with RHD headlights. I dont know where they came from but they are Keile or sommit like that. They fit and work no problem but I am wondering...

What is the difference in the pre and post 87 headlights...? How will I know which is the proper ones for my car...?

Thanks in advance lads []

 

[VanhireBoys]

Thanks for that Simon... ! My car hasn't got the adjusters so its the cheaper lights then ! Happy days []

 

[colin944]

mk1 golf headlights are not a straight swap. They will fit but you have to change the lamp onto the frame of the 44 light it is not that hard to do just a bit fiddley.

 

[bmnelsc]

If you have a US spec car - it came with 6014 "sealed beam" style headlamps (H6024 if you had Halogens). Bosch and Hella made H4 bulb + reflector headlights that were a direct fit but being North America they were for right hand traffic (left hand drive cars). You'll probably want e-code H4s for left hand traffic. My only experience with the Porsche configurations was trying to find new headlights for the adjustable headlight option - totally different than 6014 configurations - which is why I have a brand new pair of right hand traffic H4 Cibie Z-beams on my shelf...they didn't fit my S2 - but I bought them before I knew what I was shopping for. So - if you haven't had these out before I would suggest you take one out and compare when you go shopping for new ones so you get what you need the first time round. Sorry if this is a "no-brainer" for you but being in North America I had a hard time getting European parts. As you have a US spec car - you might be in the same boat....

 

[944 man]

My understanding is that the North American spec sealed beams have been replaced. You couldnt MOT a car with thkse awful things fitted here, let alone in Ireland.

 

[John Sims]

In the days of Ice Shark (RIP) he supplied a conversion which used Jaguar headlamps. These didn't fit Beaky but may be another option for the earlier cars.

 

[zcacogp]

Bit of a thread resurrection here, as my S2 has a cracked front headlight and I am looking into options to replace it. The headlight is the nearside (passenger side) one. It works, but the glass is (badly) cracked. I do have the level adjustment, but have never used it in the 6 years I have owned the car and would be happy to forgo it. I happen to have a spare headlight from a Mk2 golf as well - removed from a car I once owned. I don't know whether it is a driver or passenger side light (is there a difference in the beam pattern?) but would this fit my S2?

ORIGINAL: 944 man 1988 model year onwards lamps have a level adjustment. 1987 model year cars dont. If you had a later car you could use the cheaper Golf-type parts, if you were prepared to forego the adjustment.

Simon - your comment suggests it would. Is it an easy job, or am I down to removing tags from the back of the light and sticking them onto the new light? Oli.

 

[bert gear]

no difference between left and right Golf mk2 will fit without changing the backing

 

[zcacogp]

Bert, At the risk of sounding disagreeable (and hence with apologies), I've discovered that you are half-right. Yes, o/s and n/s are the same (checked a VW parts catalogue), but Mk2 Golf lights don't fit straight into a late 944.

Note the position of the tabs on the Golf (left) and 944 (right) parts. I think the lower tab is in the same place, but the upper two are closer together on the Golf part (neither are in the same position as on the 944). Options are to move the tabs or swap the glasses over. I'm going to try the latter, as the Golf reflector also has a hole in it for the sidelight, which the 944 one doesn't. Anyone have any suggestions on how to do this? I seem to recall reading once that the glue is thermoplastic, so will heat it up in a hot oven and see what happens ... Wish me luck. Oli.

 

[bert gear]

no i was talking about early 944

 

[zcacogp]

Bert, OK, that wasn't clear from your post. Thanks for your input anyway - the fact that the n/s and o/s headlights are the same was helpful. I ended up swapping the glass from the Golf unit to the 944 one, and it was surprisingly easy! I've done a "Technical Article" about it, here: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=676223&mpage=1&key=&#676223 Oli.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Thanks, Oli, I've stickied it in the tech area! []