944 headlight problem

[Lance924]

I have searched though many threads but haven't found the answer to my problem.
This is an 86/87 944 and the problem is with the headlights.
The headlights switch on and off with no problems and they raise to there correct position.But when they are turned off they don't lower.I have checked the wiring and also changed the relay,but they still have to be wound down by hand.Not a very good look for a Porsche owner.
Any help would be grateful.
Cheers

Also i have been givin this part number for the switch( 944 613 531 00 )Can anybody verify that this is the complete switch as i have no referance to check it.

[nynor]

have you replaced the relay that lives right at the headlight motor.

[Lance924]

Yes i have changed that,and can verify that he one put in works,but didnt solve the problem.

[nynor]

bad wiring, ground, or motor, is my bet.

[Lance924]

Can the motor still be bad even though it works to raise the lights?

[nynor]

seems to me that it isn't reversing.

[SoCal Driver]

The headlight motor travels in a half circle in the same direction. It's a lot like the wiper motor in design and wiring. Under the plate where the relay and harness plug in are several copper circular tracks. There are insulated spring copper fingers on the plate that make contact with these tracks. The motor stops because one of the fingers copper tracks has a break in it. The relay just switches to another finger/track combo to run the motor another half turn when the lights are turned off or on. These fingers and tracks are crudded up with dried out grease.

Disconnect the battery, remove the cover and clean the tracks. Doesn't take much. You must have the full rubber covers over both the motor, manual knob and the relay and connector area. This keeps the water out of the motor.

[nynor]

thanks for clearing that up, socal!

[Lance924]

Thanks to you both i will give the contact fingers a clean today and post back with results.

[Lance924]

I have tried a differant motor that is of my 924 to try and rule out the problem.
Still the same my lights will go up but not down.
When the lights are in the up position if i wind them down after going so far,they will come back up on there own.
Is this pointing at a switch problem?

[SoCal Driver]

Or that the other motor has the same problem -- unlikely. Could be relay. Could be wiring. Could be switch.

I'll have to take a hard look at the switch-relay-motor logic again as I think the circuit to the motor is not the same circuit that powers the headlights. This is all stock wiring with out any additional load relays (IceShark Kit) right?

[Lance924]

It Cant be the other motor has the same problem as i took it of my other car this morning and the lights have no problems on that vehicle.Also used the relay of other car.

[nynor]

that leaves wiring, i think...

[1988_944]

It looks to me that there are 2 fuse's that goto the headlight motor on the 85 and later. (7.5 amp) .You might look at that.

[Lance924]

Thanks everyone.
I have just orderd a new switch as this is the only thing that i havnt changed.
With swaping all the other items for known good ones i think that rules them out.
If the switch doesnt work then i guess its out with the wiring diagrams and the multi meter

[1988_944]

I think that if the motor runs the lights up, the switch should be ok. I don't have a good electricial diagram, so it's hard to be exact. What year is the 944?

[Lance924]

Sorry for the delay in posting its an 86/87.
I dont have a wiring diagrams for this also, so i will be on the hunt for one.

[1988_944]

Check that one of the 7.5 amp fuses is not blown.

[Lance924]

I will double check

[Lance924]

Originally posted by 1988_944
Check that one of the 7.5 amp fuses is not blown.

Checked both the fuses and both are fine?