Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

My New Black 1988 928 S4 has the annoying scenario that my headlights come up when I switch my sidelights on. They don't come on in anyway, just rise up & sit there ready for you to switch the headlights on?

How can I stop this or re-wire it somehow?

Thanks in advance.
Steve

MY89 928 S4 Stone Grey Metallic....gone but not forgotten......

My New 928 :-
MY88 928 S4 Auto - Black Analogue Dash .....- Back in 928 S4 ownership!

Steve, glad your back. Mine does this too? I didn't think it was a problem? But if your old one didn't do it?

I'll wait and see if someone replies and then copy what you do Steve.

Hi Lee

My 1989 one didn't do it and I believe its on the 1987/1988 years that did this? I like to drive with just my side lightson using my LED side lights so I don't want my headlights poping up at this stage otherwise it spoils the look having them up & not on. Looks like they are stuck up if they aren't on - just my thoughts & preference.

Will let you know

Hi Steve,

On my 1989 one the headlights always come up, and always come on, when the headlight switch is turned to any position, the sidelights are incorporated into the main headlights. I remember discussing this when you were demonstrating your LED lights before. I think Adrian said there is a different relay in latter cars.

Hi Geo

Yes I remember. It seems that the 1988/1999 transition year has a few months where the UK was going to bring in legislation for certain heights for side lights and Porsche incorporated this modificationof the headlights to overcome this.

Mine come up all the time but only come on when I turn the light switch to position II headlights.

I hope to bypass all of this and revert to the standard operation like in other years.

Cheers
Steve

It's a bit strange that the lights come up, but don't come on, have the sidelight bulbs been removed?


UPDATE
Oh, I see from your Rennlist thread that there aren't separate bulbs, but it just dims the headlights, sounds fairly straight forward to change how they work, might give it a go myself.

Hi Geo

Well I tried moving the wires in the Country plug today - only to get the same conditions that you have....now my headlights still come up and they light up with the sidelights at full intensity so i'm worse off.

Maybe swopping the wires will work for you?

Steve
Scratching my head now at what to do next???

Strange really, the behaviour on the 968 just out of interest is as follows:

Light switch position in brackets

Position (0) off
Position (1) headlight are lit with side lights only, not popped up.
Position (2) main beam on, headlights pop up
Return to position (1) from position (2) lights remain popped up but with headlight lit with side lights only
Return to position (0) from position (2) head lights off and lights pop down.

Guys,
The note about odd technicalities in the 88/89 period rings true - I'm sure someone like Baz Hart explained it. The 944s of the same era do exactly the same.
I think Poprock did an explanation regarding an electrical fix in place of a relay that stops this happening. Now I know your fusebox is somewhat more complicated than a 944 but I imagine the principle must be the same.
Try a quick search and see if it comes up.

ETA Here you go
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1259

I believe its something to do with the American market re the lights, heres the 944 mod viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1259

Hi.
Thanks for all the help from everyone. I eventually managed to sort this with pins 2&3 jumpered in the country code plug by the LH ECU as has been noted here above. First time I tried this the pins moved out of their new position when I plugged it back together so it didn't work. Got the pins to stay put and click into the small holder clip this time and now my lights work like the other model years - stay down in Position I and up in Position II.

I can concentrate on my LED side light upgrade no this weekend.

Thanks everyone again for your help.

Steve