Lost my headlights

[911VAvirgin]

I have a 1983 911SC and i just lost the headlights. They were working fine one day and then didn't come on the next day. I have all other lights. But once I pull the headlights knob all the way out I get nothing (no low or high beam). I was wondering what would be the best way to attack this problem. Should I immediately assume it is the switch? Ant advice on how best to track down the fault would be great. Thank you!

[billybek]

Check fuses first.....
Welcome to the forum and please post a picture of your ride!

[old man neri]

Time to break out the multi meter and see where you are getting voltage and where you are not. You cold also pull the switch and see if you get continuity between the different points when the switch is 'on'.

Oh, and welcome
-matt

[pyite20v]

This happened to me.

There are a few things it could be, headlight switch being very common.

Mine turned out to be that the bulbs were too high wattage for the wires, and burned the wires at the bulb. Pull your bulbs out and see how your wires look, you might have to splice some new sockets on there.

[Oh Haha]

Try wiggling and/or rotating the knob in the dash as you pull it out to the on position. Mine did the same thing a couple of weeks ago and this trick worked for me.

I will replace the switch or at least disassemble and clean it over the winter.

EDIT-Check the fuses, too.

[911VAvirgin]

Thank you everyone for the advice. I am going to check the fusses and the switch. I didn't think about the wattage for the bulbs. I guess i will start at the headlights and work my way back. I tried the wiggle technique but no luck. Oh and thank you for the warm welcome. This is my first porsche and I have only had it for a few months. i am learning alot quickly but having worked around cars all my life i know the best people to ask are people who actually own and drive the vehicles. There is no substitute for experience. I have attached a couple of pics. Thanks again!

[myamoto1]

+1 on the switch and "over wattage". My lights stopped working on me, while driving at night. Installed Drago's relay kit and all is good now. To regain full functionality, I also had to pull the steering column switch to fix the high/low beam issue.

[911VAvirgin]

Thanks! Great idea on the relay kit. I was just thinking about that today.

[HarryD]

Nice Cab.

It could also be your flash to pass switch on your steering column. Wiggle it and see if they "suddenly work". This is a common problem. There are lots of threads on this switch failing. To prevent this in the future, get some headlamp relays.

The SEARCH Button is your friend.

Try a search using terms:
headlight
switch
high
beams
Marcus sucro
and the like.

Be sure you read this thread: turn signal switch quick fix pictures

[scottb]

Originally Posted by HarryD

It could also be your flash to pass switch on your steering column. Wiggle it and see if they "suddenly work". This is a common problem.

Good advice, and the easiest place to start troubleshooting. If the headlights still don't come on (or even flicker) after turning the key, pulling the headlight knob, and wiggling the stalk/brights switch, then you should start more aggressive troubleshooting. My bet, though, is that the problem is the stalk/brights switch.

+1 on adding a relay kit.

[diverdan]

Good advice. Good places to start, but not the fuses as they are individual for each function, not the wires because the weakness again is usually close to the bulb and one wire at a time burns, My money is on the turn signal - high low beam switch on the steering column. Good luck.

Diverdan

[911VAvirgin]

Wow! I would never have thought of the switch on the steering column. I will definitely check that out.

[dshepp806]

yeap,..that damned column switch!! I would think so, as well.


Relay kit's a must,...you'll do it after you find the fricked column switch contacts!!!


...but ,..you never know...could be something else./////happy troubleshooting.

Best,

Doyle

[123steve909]

wow lovely car