Headlight lifting motor issue (I've searched)

[doublestuff]

I'm trying to figure out what's going on with the headlight lifting issue with my early '85 944.

Everything was working, then one evening I hit the switch and the lights turned on but didn't raise. I cranked them up with the hand wheel and drove home.

Using the 944foottothefloor guide, I have confirmed that the switch is good, the relay is good, all fuses are good. I have a spare motor and when I connected it to the plug and activated the switch, the motor spun. Thinking the motor in the car was bad, I swapped motors, but the when I activated the switch, nothing. Lights come on, but they don't raise. So the switch activates a motor that isn't bolted to the car, but not when the motor IS bolted in.

Any ideas?

[dgcantrell]

Check continuity from the brown wire on the electrical connection plug at the highlight motor to the body. If no continuity, the ground wire for that circuit could be broken or not making up well in the connector. Also jiggle the connector when it's plugged in to the motor while the lights are turned on. If it comes up, it's definitely a connection issue at the motor. Mine was all flakey one time like that, I got new crimp connectors from the dealer and remade them. Fixed the issue.

[doublestuff]

Thanks, I'll give that a try!

[Fast Freddy 944]

I fixed my haunted headlight motor, with a new relay that plugs into the actual motor, my headlights were going up and down and up and down, looks funny in traffic!

[dgcantrell]

LOL... I bet if you popped the cover off the relay and take a strip of sand paper between the contacts, it fix it right up. Then you'll have a spare relay..

[Swennydawg]

You may have to pull the headlamp motor and clean the wheel. The wheel contacts get dirty/rusty and the lifting becomes inconsistent. The cleaning worked for me.
Clark's Garage has info on the cleaning:http://www.clarks-garage.com

[Fast Freddy 944]

Originally Posted by dgcantrell

LOL... I bet if you popped the cover off the relay and take a strip of sand paper between the contacts, it fix it right up. Then you'll have a spare relay..

Imagine seeing some hot broads in a jeep and your headlights were going up and down. talk about embarrassing, my troubles were solved as I stated with a simple relay. lol

[drose977]

My headlights were doing this intermittently and I lubricated the flip up linkage and it fixed the problem.

[porsche tech]

A very common problem back in the day was the wiring going to the headlight door motor would crack where it bends when the door is opened and closed. The wiring becomes brittle with age and the continual bending action breaks it. Usually it would be one door not working but it's something to check if you dead end.--Dave

[doublestuff]

Well, I got my headlights working and forgot to post an update. I still don't know precisely what the problem is, but it sounds like porsche tech is on the right track. I wiggled the wires where they connect to the molex connector at the motor, and now they go up and down fine, and have been for a few weeks. I assume it's a break in a wire that is close enough to make a connection unless it gets bent the wrong way or something. Thanks all for the info!

[yellowbricktoad]

Check that the wires at the relay connector are all the way in. Mine loosen periodically & don't stay in the connector. I push the wire into the connector & everything works. Apparently the retaining tab doesn't always hold it in the connector.

Mike M.