headlight replacement

Buckterrier · 02-27-2007, 04:02 AM

Good morning. My headlights, (already switched to h4's by PO). are yellow and severly sandblasted and need replacing. Last night I took off the 'euro ring' around them. All the screws holding the chrome rings are stripped, on both headlights, damn. Any ideas on how to get them out? I tried unscrewing them while pulling with a pair of needlenose pliers but this doesn't seem to work or maybe I'm not working hard enough at it. Ant suggestions?
As always thanks... (I told you guys in December I'd be asking a lot of question!!) & have gotten awesome advice.. But I am enjoying the journey, however short so far.
Maybe when I get home from work there will be a miracle posted here

goober · 02-27-2007, 08:54 AM

You might be turning the adjusters. They are about 3 inches long so you might think they are stripped! The headlight is held on by a single screw on the bottom of the light. (between the light and the bumper) Pull the screw and lift the light up and tip the bottom forward. The top of the light is retained by a lip that it catches on in the top of the light opening in the fender.

Gunter · Gunter's Garage

Mark:
Look closely at the bottom screw: It's 2 screws in 1 unit.
After removing the inner Phillips screw, the trim ring comes off but the actual lamp ring stays on.
You'll have to use a wider blade screwdriver to remove the hollow screw on the bottom that is holding in the whole lamp.
The 2 screws in the lamp ring are for adjusting the lights left/right and up/down later on.
Make sure that the lamp sits securely in the groove and rubber seal when you put it back together.

Rot 911 · 02-27-2007, 09:46 AM

Are you sure you have H4's? You state "they are yellow and sandblasted." H4 lenses are made of glass and what you describe sounds like a plastic lense that has aged over the years.

Early_S_Man · 02-27-2007, 09:58 AM

Mark,

Can you post close-up pics of your headlamp assemblies?

Buckterrier · 02-27-2007, 12:52 PM

Thanks guys I kinda sorta maybe thought that's what I was doing, turning adjustment screws. Here are some pics of the assembly, again thanks for all your help.

with 'ero ring'

with ring off, top right screw

bottom screw, (a bit fuzzy)

nesslar · 02-27-2007, 01:05 PM

The upper right screw is the adjuster. Just back out the lower, big hollow screw with a rather large straight blade screwdriver, and then you can remove the assembly, up a bit and then away from the fender.

Early_S_Man · 02-27-2007, 01:22 PM

I guess Porsche should have provided these stickers with the Bosch H1 and H4 assemblies:

jeffrey2 · jeffrey2's Garage

Warren, you made my day, I've been laughing for about 5 mins about the arrow. Everybody's first Porsche experience would agree - there needs to be one of those by the ignition keyhole too.

Buckterrier · 02-27-2007, 02:42 PM

"It's a miracle, it's a miracle"... Eddy Murphy from "Trading Places"
Guys, thank you so much as you can see I finally figured it out.

I'm going to do a post when I get all the things done for "Silin" , (pronounced Shileen, gaelic for Cherry), that I've done before her Coming out Party this spring so you guys, (and gals), don't think I"m a complete tard.
Again thank you all!
(If I was more intouch with my feminine side I'd say I love you all, LOL.
As they say in France... "It's not what you know, it's who you know"

jeffrey2 · jeffrey2's Garage

Hey I did the same, only didn't think they were stripped, instead I unscrewed them all of the way...not too fun to put back together. Just be sure to wear protective eyewear when you put the lens springs back on, I had one whizz by my head and nick my car.

Buckterrier · 02-27-2007, 03:19 PM

Thanks Jeffrey, I work in an industrial enviroment so safety glasses are 2nd nature to me. But very good for everyone to be cognizant of.
Ok... so when I get the new ones and I can't install them I"ll come a cryin' LOL

Buckterrier · 02-28-2007, 03:04 AM

You know guys, I did read the tech article about replacing the headlights with H4's before I started. I re-read it this morning. It does say, (although for 911's 79 - 83, they changed in 84'?), to remove the 3 screws that hold the retaining ring. Maybe that's what through me off.
That's my story & I'm sticking with it! Again much thanks

Gunter · Gunter's Garage

Mark:
With the new lenses it is recommended to get new rubber seals that fit over the glass before installing the lenses in the retaining ring with the clips.
These seals prevent any water from getting into the lamps, they do not come with the lenses, they have to be ordered seperately.
There are also rubber seals that fit in the groove on the fender. Depending on the condition, you might replace those.
Inspect the wires/connections to the bulbs. They should look normal meaning: Not discolored/burned.
Stock bulb is 55/60 but sometimes people use higher Wattage and the wires overheat.
Use dielectric grease on the plugs.
Look closely at the 2 adjustment screws inside the lamps so you understand the principle of adjusting after it's all back together.

Buckterrier · 02-28-2007, 12:38 PM

Thanks Gunter, I did order the 2 seperate rubber seals when I did the glass. And I"ll take the advice also on the wiring, screws, and dielectric grease.

porsche930dude · porsche930dude's Garage

I did the same thing when i first did mine. I think i even chiped the paint a little when i was trying to pull on it while unscrewing it. I just had to sit and stare at it for 5 minutes without my brother stairing over my shouler. Come to think of it. i dont know if i ever realigned the lights. I should probrobly do that

BMWDavid · 02-28-2007, 04:05 PM

Don't mean to high jack the thread...I'm thinking of putting some H4 headlamps on my '89 Carrera 3.2.

However I see in the ads/catalogs and such that cars after '87 need a wire harness adapter to hook the lamps to the factory connector. Were can I get this?

Secondly, do you have to use the chrome ring? What can be done to retain the factory ring/look of the painted unit?

Thanks,

David

javadog · 02-28-2007, 04:16 PM

The H4 uses a pretty common connector for the wiring. A local parts house should be able to lay their hands on one.

The chrome ring is part of the light assembly. It gets covered up with a paintable trim ring that goes over the top of the chrome ring. It requires a different mounting screw. I'm sure Pelican can supply it.

Look here:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/911M/POR_911M_ELlite_pg1.htm#item0

Cheers,
JR

Buckterrier · 02-28-2007, 04:18 PM

Hi David, wish I could help. Mine, (as the pictures show), had the euro ring then the chrome ring under it. I'm sure some of the more seasoned Porsche Heads wil have answers to your questions. Maybe you'll need to start a thread asking the same questions. Our host doesn't have the said harness adapter?
Dude, I know, now I feel silly that I tried prying the headlight adjusters with pliers!!! Fortunately I didn't ruin them!!

Early_S_Man · 02-28-2007, 04:32 PM

Pelican has the adapter to convert from 0.187" H5 harness connector to H4 standard USA-pattern sealed-beam connector, or used to carry it.

That said, I think the use of an adapter is a very bad idea ... just like not installing relays!!!

A proper install of H4 headlamp assemblies includes installing two or four individually-fused relays of at least 30 Amp capacity, and new 12 ga wiring to either a heavy-duty ceramic H4 connector or three individual, non-insulated 0.25" Faston connectors. The relays should NOT be installed in the headlamp bucket! If a wiring color code sketch is laminated inside each bucket to guide installation of the Fastons to the proper H4 terminal ... no concerns are necessary about the uninsulated Fastons, as once they are on the H4 bulb ... they aren't going anywhere!