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Adjusting 2012 991 headlights for Europe

James_winter_uk

PCGB Member
Member
Hi Folks,

This has beaten Porsche Tonbridge, and also Porsche UK - who have referred it back to Porsche Germany, but I'm heading off on holiday next Tuesday and need to get it sorted.

I have an early 991, that came out prior to the self adjusting headlights. According to my owners manual - I need to flick a lever on the rear of both lights to adjust them for European driving. (Same as the 997 - which had a metal lever).

We've taken the lights out, found what looks to be a white plastic lever on the rear, but cannot move this in any direction at all. Not only this - but another 2012 991 on Tonbridge's forecourt also has the same lever, that also doesn't move. They have even ordered a new headlamp, and this piece of plastic doesn't move on this either.

My initial thoughts were that the lever has got hot, and "melted" to the body of the light - but the new headlamp exhibiting the same problem seems to have eliminated this.

What am I missing? I can't see that Porsche invented a headlight that didn't need adjusting, and then went on to create one that did it automatically!

Any help gratefully received
James

 
Hi James,

You are correct, they are not adjustable. Never got a decent explanation on this from Porsche. I am also off tomorrow to the EU, see you in Folkestone!


 
James,

I seem to recall an identical post on the Cayman forum some time ago regarding headlight adjustment on a 981 (frontal structure identical to that of the 991).

As Paul says, the upshot was that they aren't adjustable, the dipped beam being suitable for driving on the left or right.

Jeff
 
My new 981S with headlights adjustable on the stalk menu is a joy compared to the old whole unit out and lever change on my old 997 and 987!!!!
 
Guys, don't worry about lights. I'm a "regular" in Europe (work in Brussels) and there are two things to consider.
a) The 991, even with Xenons, has a fairly "flat beam" (just drive up to a wall and you'll see what I mean) so you wan't dazzle anyone driving on the right.
b) Nobody, other than the French Gendarmerie, gives the tiniest ****. Even then the Gendarmes will only stop you before about 11am for something to do before lunch and they won't think about some lights.

If you're very worried, but some of the clear/silver beam benders and pop them in the glovebox for if you are challenged. You fit the round part to the right of the centre-point of the light.
 
Agree with last statement, most moderns don't seem to have the asymmetric kick up to the left which improved visibility along the kerb, but dazzled if you drove on the right.
Drive your car up to a wall and have a look, you will probably find that the top of the beam is flat.
we have just returned from France with our Peugeot estate (sadly not enough room in our 991 4S for a rental house) which has LED headlights and it states in the manual that the lights do not need adjusting for the EU, the beam is flat.
For fun play spot the French car coming to the UK with lights adjusted!
 
Hi Folks,

Thanks for all the help - thought I'd give you an update from Porsche Technical in Germany. (I am paraphrasing a phone conversation with porsche tonbridge).

The 991 does indeed have a switch behind the headlamps, that should be switched - however it moves such a small distance that they recommend doing it in a silent room, Just so you can hear it.

I have done this - and to be honest I'm not that convinced. It did make a very small click.

At this point we decided to do a semi-scientific experiment so propped a pallet up in front of the car and covered it in white paper. We fitted the headlamp and drew around the bright part of the light pattern on dipped beam. We then took the light out, flicked the headlamp switch (sounds so simple and easy!) and turned the lights on. And the pattern looked the same. Took it out, switched it back (just in case) and tried again - and it still looked the same.

Any ideas?

James
 
Yours?

We drove to Santorini in 2010 in a Mitsubishi Evo X for our wedding (remember the ash cloud? yeah..), now THAT was an adventure!
 
You drove to Santorini? That must have been epic - how long did it take? Presumably the last bit was on a ferry![:D] Mind you, probably safer than flying in there, as I recall.......[&:]
 
Yep!
Route was...
  • Hampshire to Ancona, Italy - took 28hours non stop due to traffic diversions.
  • "Superfast" Ferry from Ancona to Patras, Greece. Very nice, posh cabin etc and like a 23hour cruise ship. Staff put the Evo "in a special place" to avoid dings and steep ramps. Great service all in all, have used again because of this.
  • Patras to Athens on probably the most dangerous road in Europe.. Quite an experience.
  • Stopped to see buddies in Athens, then Ferry (Blue Star) to Paros for a week getting the "Wedding Tan".
  • Ferry onwards to Santorini - Stayed and wed at http://www.anastasisapartments.com. Best week of our lives**

Return trip was interesting, involved driver caffeine over-dose (redbull plus greek espressos.. BAAAD idea) but a much better route through Italy, Mont Blanc and up through France. Necessity as clutch was starting to fail on the Evo (slipping at peak torque) to take a less demanding route.

Since this we have done the trip almost annually to Greece (family connections) so that's why I bought the A8 and S8 for the über-barge cruising. Unfortunately due to recent events and the in-country situation we now feel a little uncomfortable swanning around in 100k cars to have gone back to flights and hire cars.

** Maybe picking up the car was as good, but a) we don't say that do we chaps? and b) it was only a day...

 
I researched this issue a month or so ago before heading over to France and I came to the conclusion that modern headlights have a flat flat beam that doesn't favour any side. It sounds like your experiment confirmed this.
Simon
 
Doctors advice going to be followed.

Driving down to Siena with my mate next week over 4 days (Black Forest, Swiss alps and Ferrari museum at Maranello). Should be fun. Return journey will have the other half and kids in the car instead - so somewhat less quick and exciting!

Thanks again

James
 
I thank you for your faith in my title but I fear a doctorate in psychology may not put me in the best position to be commenting on the height of modern headlights!
 
Maybe you can offer some insight into how the headlights will feel about change and the potential long term impact of being forced to change?
 
Funnily enough that forms the main focus of my next study. I'll be back here with the findings in a year or two.
 
Good man, when you get the grant approved, I'll happily assist you for an exorbitant daily rate (these Porsches don't buy themselves).

 
James_winter_uk said:
Hi Folks,

This has beaten Porsche Tonbridge, and also Porsche UK - who have referred it back to Porsche Germany, but I'm heading off on holiday next Tuesday and need to get it sorted.

I have an early 991, that came out prior to the self adjusting headlights. According to my owners manual - I need to flick a lever on the rear of both lights to adjust them for European driving. (Same as the 997 - which had a metal lever).



What am I missing? I can't see that Porsche invented a headlight that didn't need adjusting, and then went on to create one that did it automatically!

Any help gratefully received
James



The 996/997 model had a switch to make adjustments to lights back in the day ,,, today's modern models headlights are adjusted via Porsche PIWIS computer is my understanding especially for the dynamic cornering lights .... Information from 997 Retrofit & Custom, on Facebook ...
 

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