Stuck Light
 

Heya, Im new to the forums, and new to porsche in general

just picked up a '00 Boxter, great body and engine condition and runs great

however I noticed that the first time I took it out night driving that my Drivers headlight seemed to be pointing as though I was taking a corner next morning I checked the headlight and sure enough it seems to be stuck pointing more so to the right.

The problem looks like the small white stick that I guess controls the movment left and right, is flush against the side of the head light wall, It looks like its been there for a bit too, as there has been a small amount of shaving against the stick and outer wall occuring.

guess the question is, how frequent and Can I self adjust the lamp or does it need to go to porsche for that,

I figure I can get to it If I remove the tire from the wheel well and part of the bumper chasis

ANy ideas? any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated
I have included some photo attacements of what I was talking about

S

That stick is the adjuster. Your head light assembly is probably cocked on the track that holds it. The whole light assembly comes out very easily in about 2-3 minutes. That's one reason to lock the car every time you leave it. There is a small tool in the spare tire kit that pops the lock from inside the front trunk. They show the tool in the user's manual. I'd post a pic, but our Boxster is stuck in my wife's office parking lot until I can replace the engine fan tomorrow.

I would try pulling it out, checking it and the track for damage and sliding it back in before you start adjusting the beam.

How to take it out:

Pull the inside wall covering on the left (driver's) side of the trunk away from the wall. I think there are two plastic screw type connectors that hold it on. There is a round, black plug that pokes out so you can grip it. Pull out the plug. Put the tool into the hole you just unplugged and turn it toward you (clockwise) and the whole light assembly will pop forward. You can slide it out easily when it is completely unlocked. When you go to put it back in, turn the unlocking tool back (counter-clockwise) a little. When you have it in the right position the assembly will slide back in easily. If it is still in the full unlocking position, the assembly does not slide back onto the track very easily. That may be why it is crooked.

I haven't adjusted my lights, but everything I've done on the Boxster has been pretty easy so I'd imagine it's not too difficult once you get the assembly out.

Hey deliriousga thanks for the quick reply,

Yeah just figured out what u meant there and the removal is easy :) saves me a headache. getting dark here now, but Ill give it a go in the morning and post what Ive found here (Hopefully good news) .

I just hope everything else in the do it yourself area for this car is this easy :)

cheers
S

Most things are very easy. :D

I was thinking about the track being off because I had to call the dealer the first time I changed the headlight bulb. The light assembly would not go back in and I was afraid of breaking anything so I called and he told me about turning the lock tool back a little. Your PO may not have been very patient with it. :( I'll look at mine when I go down to fix it today and see if the adjustment stick is visible through the headlight like yours.

Hopefully that's all it is. :cheers:

Of course the day I go to do it, the weather turns, so alas Ill have to wait yet another day. :rolleyes:

and please keep me informed as to wether or not your stick is similar in terms of placment.

Now that I know that is infact the adjustment stick I figure it probably is not sitting correctly in the track as you said, that and the fact that the light seems to have about a 1/4 " gap along the bottem towards the inner part of the unit where u can insert the tip of an index finger a little between it and the chasis of the car, (The passenger side Does not have this, cant run your finger under it even a little)

so FIngers crossed and breath held

cheers
S

well removed the light unit this morning, as easy as you said

Checked the track, the track was fine, but after a call to the dealer, a quick tweak with an alan wrench to the beam adjuster on the side, fixed my problem, reinsterted the light unit and voila, a properly directed light :)

thank god it wasnt more serious

anyways thats the end of my little adventure, thanks alot for the help deliriousga
appreciate it

cheers
S

Happy to hear it turned out well. :dance:

Sorry for the delay in responding, but we left yesterday to my sister's house and just got back. I just pulled the alternator for testing and two rollers while I'm waiting for the engine compartment fan to come in.

I checked the settings on my light sticks, and the driver's one is way out too!! I'll have to re-align it before Thursday when the fan is supposed to be in. Meanwhile, it's a great time to lube the seat tracks while the seats are out and see if I can find replacement bearings for the rollers that are making a good bit of racket.