HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK

I HAVE A 88 911 THAT THE HEADLIGHTS DONT WORK? I CHECK FUSES AND RELAYS EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT O.K. I have to pull lightly back on the dimmer/turn signal switch to keep my low beams on; if i pulled back too hard the high beams would flash - if I let it go the lights would go out. However, the high beams and turn signals worked just fine, please help.

Hi, Bob. I had the same problem on my 76 911, and unfortunately Ii had to change the hole switch. It was broken internaly.
I sugest to disassemble the switch and check if it needs just some adjustment (faulty contact).

Well, from your description, it sounds like you have narrowed it down to the 'steering-column control switch assembly' ... which requires a certain amount of dexterity and skill to remove and clean/adjust! If you remove it and have bad or NO LUCK with the cleaning and adjustment, you will have to replace the assembly. If you decide to clean it, I recommend B-D alcohol swabs and an old, soft toothbrush, and 91% isopropyl alcohol as the cleaning solvent. Care and patience are thr watchword! A very small (5" or less) pair of needle-nose pliers are appropriate for the 'adjustment' part!

Just one word of caution about taking it to a shop ... they are not likely to be very receptive about cleaning and adjusting! Just a 'feeling' that I have, but I think they will say cleaning and adjusting would 'only' be a temporary fix, so go ahead and replace it now. I don't happen to agree with that assessment, unless, of course, the contacts in the switch assembly are burnt-up from five years of switching a pair of 130 Watt Quartz headlamps on the factory wiring and relay, fuses, etc. If you do have high-Wattage headlamps, it is time to pay the piper ... and fix your 'cooked' electrics!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa