Weird headlight behavior

[bsimonson]

I think my headlight/turn switch is acting up but any input on other culprits are welcome before I take the steering wheel off...

* When the light switch is off either parking light can be turned on by setting the turn switch left or right, respectively.

* With the light switch in head light position the turn indicators work as the should but the headlights only shine in low, when I put the switch to high they go black.

Am I right in thinking the headlight/turn switch is malfunctioning or could this be something else?


Cheers, Björn

[HarryD]

Hi Björn:

My cousins spend about 5-6 month a year in Sweden. They ready enjoy your country.

Originally Posted by bsimonson

I think my headlight/turn switch is acting up but any input on other culprits are welcome before I take the steering wheel off...

* When the light switch is off either parking light can be turned on by setting the turn switch left or right, respectively.

Not a fault, a feature in German cars.

* With the light switch in head light position the turn indicators work as the should but the headlights only shine in low, when I put the switch to high they go black.

Am I right in thinking the headlight/turn switch is malfunctioning or could this be something else?

Sounds like it could be a bad turn signal/headlamp flasher switch. Before you spend any money, try the tips in this thread: turn signal switch quick fix pictures .

You should also consider adding headlamps relays between the fuse panel and the headlamps to help reduce the current through the flasher switch. If you have a 1974 oir newer car, you can buy a kit here: Pelican Parts - Product Information: JWST-911-HLPR

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by HarryD

Hi Björn:

My cousins spend about 5-6 month a year in Sweden. They ready enjoy your country.



Not a fault, a feature in German cars.



Sounds like it could be a bad turn signal/headlamp flasher switch. Before you spend any money, try the tips in this thread: turn signal switch quick fix pictures .

You should also consider adding headlamps relays between the fuse panel and the headlamps to help reduce the current through the flasher switch. If you have a 1974 oir newer car, you can buy a kit here: Pelican Parts - Product Information: JWST-911-HLPR

+1 On All!

Also:

Fuse your dash lights, A/C condenser motor,
footwell blowers, and evaporator relay.

[bsimonson]

Harry, nice to hear that your cousins enjoy Sweden, guess they are here in summer, 'cause the winter can be at bit long.

Great tip, I'm will try it asap.

Sometime I will fit relays for sure, but at this point I need to focus on getting the car through inspection to get it properly registered here in Sweden so I can enjoy it over the summer (I just bought it from the UK).

Cheers, Björn

[Trackrash]

* When the light switch is off either parking light can be turned on by setting the turn switch left or right, respectively.
Not a fault, a feature in German cars.

To think all these years I thought my turn signal switch was broken.

O.K. So why would one want one of their running lights on when they park their car? Like, half a parking light? This is not mentioned in the owner's manual.

[bsimonson]

For future reference I just wanted to post back and say that the work outlined in the thread Harry recommended did the job. Headlights now work as they should!

Cheers, Björn

[chrisg252]

Originally Posted by Trackrash

To think all these years I thought my turn signal switch was broken.

O.K. So why would one want one of their running lights on when they park their car? Like, half a parking light? This is not mentioned in the owner's manual.

In some European countries, it used to be ( and for all I know may still be) required that one left parking lights on when parking on dark streets at night. Illuminating the side of the vehicle closest to the trafic flow was all that was neccessary. Thus, to limit battery draw, some manufacturers set up the light switch so that only one side was lit.
Chris