headlights go up but not down
 

when turning the headlights on, they turn on and pop up fine, but when i turn the headlight switch to off they turn and stay up. i can lower them manually just fine. headlamp motor fuse had previously been pulled so this just happened after replacing it. any ideas?

Is the motor still running when you push the switch down?
It sound like you might need to clean the conntacts on the switch.

When you roll them down manually does it feels like it briefly catches? Could be the headlamp trim screws are backing out and catching.

Also ... dodgy relay perhaps. Try wiggling it - could be poor contacts.

assuming it is the contacts for the switch, how do i go about cleaning them?

it doesn't feel like it catches, it doesn't even sound like the motor is going at all when the lights are turned off. it can clearly be heard when turning on and going up.

Check your battery for a full charge. Mine won't go down with less than 12v. [83 944]:rolleyes:

basicly opening the switch up and using some steel wool to clean the surface of the metal that makes contact with the other piece of metal, some require more or less. then putting it back together. the worst one i have done was on a MB what a pita. but it did save $30 bucks. :rolleyes:

check www.clarks-garage.com for testing to see if it is the switch that is bad.. it is common.
what year is your car? I had the same problem and it was a power lead to the switch had opened up.. instead of tracing the wire I just jumped the headlight switch and put power where it needed to be.

Fuse #16 ????
 

My 87 944S has a seperate fuse for the "Down" on the headlight motor.

Fuse #16 7.5Amp - "motor conceal headlight close" or something like that. They will open, but not close if this is blown or removed. It's an easy way to keep the headlights open for cleaning or service without leaving the lights on.

-Rick