Are my Headlights Supposed to Do This?

[Hugh R]

On my 84 ROW Targa, A few days ago, I turned my headlighs on with the ignition off and I found that the headlights and fog lights would dim when I turned the dash light rheostat. A few seconds later the smoke came out of the wires (you know what happens when the smoke escapes from the wires, things don't work after that) Any way, it cooked the light switch, and I got a new switch from our sponsor Plugged in the new switch and it does the same thing when I rotate the headlight switch (but no more smoke at this time). When the ignition is on, rotating the switch to brighten or dim the dash lights doesn't affect the headlights. Is this normal, or is my electrical system Fu$$ed up?

[ruf-porsche]

for a us spec 911 no, but for a row 911 I don't know.

If you park with either the right or left turn signal does your light stay on? If not something is wire incorrectly

[dean]

On my US SC, the headlites go out with the ignition off. I don't know about ROW cars but yours sounds fu$$ed up

[Tim Walsh]

I know the switches in the earlier cars are natorious for buring out. They just can't handle the 120+ watts of headlight juice running through them. Try a new switch and before you use it, install relays for the headlights. Do a search on headlight relays and you'll find lots of information on it.

[ruf-porsche]

Originally posted by l33t9eek
I know the switches in the earlier cars are natorious for buring out. They just can't handle the 120+ watts of headlight juice running through them. Try a new switch and before you use it, install relays for the headlights. Do a search on headlight relays and you'll find lots of information on it.

He did put in a new switch and with the exception of no smoke coming out of the wire it is still acting funny.

[Hugh R]

I think I've got a little investigating to do.

[1982911sc]

I wonder if it could be related to a bad voltage regulator overcharging? Mine cooked my battery and all the lights did funny things until I replaced it.

[david914]

Your wiring is messed up. Sounds like a crossed wire somewhere in your ignition switch/headlight circuit somewhere. The headlights and fogs should go off when the ignition is switched off. You've got something backfeeding your headlights/foglights thru the dash light circuit when your ignition is switched off. My guess is that somebody swapped an ignition switch wire with a headlight switch wire somewhere along the way, being that they are right next to each other.