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I'm not flashing

ignatzcatz

ignatzcatz

PCGB Member
Member
I've only just become aware that my headlight main beam flash facility is not working. It was only when I tried to use it after dark I noticed no light came on, so I don't know how long it has been inoperative. I checked my manual and was hoping to find the location of the main beam relay but was unable to pinpoint this on the wiring diagram. Does it have a relay or is it just via the indicator switch to main beam? My car is a '86 wide body, all the other electrics are working fine BTW. Any clues guys?
 
Hi, as standard there is no relay, but adding them is a good mod to carry out.
If your main beam works as normal, but only the flash isn’t working I would guess it is the contacts at the base of the stalk that have failed.
If that is the case sometimes it is possible to adjust the contacts. I’ll take a look at mine and come back. Maybe someone else can help confirm?
Steve
 
Hi Graham, Perhaps check this: With the cover off the steering column, to expose the stalk switches, you should see the contacts on the top of their vertical blades. You should see the contacts that connect when you pull the lever to the 'flash' position, are they moving far enough to make contact?
If not you'll need to provide a gentle tweak with something fine enough to get in the gap to adjust them to make them touch. You'll need a little dexterity and a gentle touch, good luck.
Steve
 
So no relay, but who am I to argue, Mr Porsche obviously knows best. I have accessed the vertical contacts on the left of the housing and cleaned them with a micro file plus I noted that they all did contact each other but still no flash so I shall be delving deeper tomorrow.
 
I should explain further. There is the set of three contacts that can be easily seen, then a pair of contacts deeper in, behind the 'front' three. It's the pair of contacts that provide the 'flash'. Can I check, are these making contact when you pull the lever forward for 'flash'?
I assume Main Beam works with the stalk switched in the usual pushed away position with the ignition on. If they do try the following to diagnose the 'flash' problem:
1) Check for 12v on the white wire (terminated on the bottom of the contact stem) with the ignition on and the stalk held in the flash position. This proves 12v is arriving from the ignition switch via the flash contacts and feeds the headlight Main filaments via the fuses.
2) [edit] If Main Beam works as normal (assumption above) the Red/White wire is providing 12v to the back of the Light Switch with Ignition on. Check there are two Red/White wires on the Light Switch contact for the second wire to pass power directly on to the Stalk 'flash' contact. (Power doesn't pass through the Light Switch for the 'flash' operation.) This Red/White wire feeds the contact that makes with the white wire contact in the stalk switch to provide the power to 'flash' the headlights. This is the almost hidden pair of contacts behind the three contacts in plain sight.
If I'm not making myself clear please 'phone me.
 
Thanks folks for your incredibly detailed answers to my head light flashing problem. I did check for power at the contacts and only after cleaning said contacts with micro files did I get a response. With that I concluded that the problem was a mechanical one and not electrical. The two plastic covers were both quite dirty, obviously had never been previously removed so I gave every thing a good blast with isoprop cleaner, blew it dry with compressed air and tried the flasher again. On the third pull the lights came on and they have been fine ever since. Obviously with that sort of amperage going through the switch without the benefit of a relay you are going to get a build up of crud on the contacts, so I'm seriously considering the replacement of the whole fuse box for one of the panels that feature the flag type fuses as they also include a complement of relays. Before I take this plunge I shall endeavour to find a 3.2 owner who has already made this conversion. Thanks again.
 
Here you go...
I searched the PCGB Forum and found this thread. (I remember it from the past - there is lots of useful information to be found across our Forum. Thanks to the contributors)
You have three choices,
Buy a purpose made kit for your headlight conversion to relays,
Buy a new fuse board/boards from someone like Classic Retrofit, or
DIY with relays from the web as in post number 6
All above options are covered in this link:
https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=987216
Some further details on 'where to buy' and 'how to' on the 911 Carrera 3.2 Register page under 'H' on the following link:
https://www.porscheclubgb.com/regions-registers/registers/classic/911-carrera-3-2/resources/tips#H
Steve
 
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