Advice on Used Litronics

[KevinH1990]

Originally Posted by BFeller

Is there a difference in the clear lenses on the standard lights verses the litronics? If not, why not pull the lense from the old style and place ir on the litronics? That is - if the litronic lense cnnot be polished.

I thought about that. The process for opening the headlight:

How to open sealed headlights, Porsche 996 986 - YouTube

appears to be a little risky. Too much force at the wrong time might result in a broken cover.

I would also like to "de-amber" as a side benefit of the litronic upgrade. Using a cover from the old-style lens wouldn't benefit me in that regard. I think that I will try polishing first. If that doesn't work I'll look at other options.

The polishing process seems to work well. The person in this video used the Turtle Wax kit on an old-style headlight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93EilTta1OY

Consumer Reports indicated that the Sylvania system was better, so that is what I plan to use.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/headlight-restoration-kits/buying-guide.htm

I tested the passenger side light tonight. It worked except for the turn signal. I suspect that the bulb is burnt out or broken. It was nice to see that I didn't have to replace the D2S litronic bulb. There appear to be some inexpensive generic xenon bulbs, but the brand name units are expensive. The light from the litronic bulb is noticeably whiter and brighter than that from the halogen.

I did find a driver's side assembly at a salvage yard. It does not include the control unit, but I can take that off of my broken light.

[Nine8Six]

Originally Posted by KevinH1990

I thought about that. The process for opening the headlight:

How to open sealed headlights, Porsche 996 986 - YouTube

appears to be a little risky. Too much force at the wrong time might result in a broken cover.

Kevin - huge thanks to fella member Charles (Particlewave) for putting up this Youtube vid for us.

RE the broken cover comment. Believe me, those headlights are bullet proof. You have to ask yourself... highways & highways & highways and they still look good after 10~15 years. That polycarbonate material Porsche is using is something I've never seen before (I think you guys in the states also make jet fighter canopy out of that same stuff).

Pry mate, you can bend them, twist them, throw them in the wall as hard as you want and they'll live another life I promise. Until today I've never heard of anyone braking a lens. The lip under is what you need to take care of... it may crack or bend a little but who cares... it won't interfere with remounting the lens perfectly back on the headlight housing - it will hide itself in the silicon you'll use to re-seal the thing.

Hope this was inspirational! Best of luck with the rest, you appear to be on the good track mate

[clickman]

Originally Posted by Nine8Six

RE the broken cover comment. Believe me, those headlights are bullet proof. You have to ask yourself... highways & highways & highways and they still look good after 10~15 years. That polycarbonate material Porsche is using is something I've never seen before (I think you guys in the states also make jet fighter canopy out of that same stuff).

Pry mate, you can bend them, twist them, throw them in the wall as hard as you want and they'll live another life I promise. Until today I've never heard of anyone braking a lens. The lip under is what you need to take care of... it may crack or bend a little but who cares... it won't interfere with remounting the lens perfectly back on the headlight housing - it will hide itself in the silicon you'll use to re-seal the thing.

I hate to be a downer on this, but I managed to slightly crack the surface of one of my lenses. And took chips of the unreplaceable paint off the serrated edge surface. If I was to do it again, I'd send the assembly to Charles to take apart.