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Headlight Went out...?
I was driving oN the freeway the other day and my headlights just went out. THey cam back on a couple days later but went out again... any Idea's..?
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10-30-2000, 10:53 AM
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It would help to know what year the car is ... but my gut feelings are either the control 'stalk' or the main light switch on the dash. The conrol stalk can sometimes be cleaned up and have the contact springs retensioned for a few more years and miles of useful service.
------------------ Warren Hall 1973 911S Targa |
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10-30-2000, 02:56 PM
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I have a 74 911 carrera.
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10-30-2000, 09:31 PM
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Once again, Warren is dead on right. Good call.
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10-30-2000, 09:35 PM
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What exaclty is the control stalk and where is it located. And how can I clean it...?
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10-30-2000, 09:54 PM
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I think they're talking about the arm thingie on the steering column. It's a multi-position switch with little copper fingers on the inside. Cleaning tools that might work include q-tips, alcohol and a fingernail file. But usually this switch just stops low or high beams.
Your light switch is also suspect. It's a very busy switch. Wiggle them both when the lights go out. Wiggle whatever you want when the lights go out. ------------------ '83 SC |
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10-30-2000, 10:02 PM
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Kinky, Superman. Yes we're talking about the turn signal/headlight hi/lo beam switch on the steering column. Remove the steering wheel and column covers for access. It is also common for the dash switch to go bad as well.
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10-30-2000, 10:10 PM
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Yes, by all means, wiggle, bang, shake the dash and steering column when the lights go out ... but don't forget to keep at least one hand on the steering wheel ... if you happen to be going 125 at 2:00 AM when it happens! And, I would recommend a good 5-cell Mag-Lite within reach at all times, just in case of emergencies, too! Never hurts to 'Be Prepared' as one famous youth organization has been saying for over 100 years!!!
------------------ Warren Hall 1973 911S Targa |
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10-30-2000, 10:15 PM
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Chance favors the prepared mind...
Are your lights stock? I have heard that if you upgrade the wattage you will need a relay kit. I'm not sure if the relay fixes a dimming problem, or a blackout, but thought it was worth mentioning. |
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10-31-2000, 06:52 AM
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Did both the high and low beams go out? Check the fuses and fuse sockets for corrosion. That's a lot easier than pulling the steering wheel off.
------------------ Bill Krause '79 911SC Euro |
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10-31-2000, 07:04 AM
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I've had a lot of the lights-go-out problems.
I've always traced it to the light switch stalk. The thing gets corroded and gummed-up and the little levers get "tension-sprung". I've managed to "save" mine by simply cleaning and then ever-so-gently bending the arms to the right amount of tension. Eventually, though, the pastic parts begin to deteriorate and break and the bending and cleaning won't get it anymore and you have to replace them --- but I've stretched mine out to as much as 8 years past their initial failing point. |
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10-31-2000, 07:36 PM
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