'98 Boxster base. Headlights always on when running??

[DreamSign]

Is there a way to turn off the headlights when the car is running?

New to owning this car. Are the headlights supposed to always be on, even in bright sunlight? Is there a way to manually turn them off?

[Rob175]

On my 1998 base Boxster the headlights are never "ON" unless I turn them on. The 98' does not have "daytime running lights" unless someone, like a previous owner, has done some sort of modification.

Since you are a "new owner"...(forgive me for asking the obvious, but....) are you sure you have the light switch on the left of the steering wheel in the "OFF" position??? If so, then my best guess is that a previous owner did some sort of modification.

[DreamSign]

The light switch appears to be in the "off" position. I've tried every position of the switch, and as long as the car is running, the headlights are on.

[DC Jeff]

I can confirm no daytime running lights on a 99.

[A8ked]

Is it possible that your car is originally from Canada? We do see lots of formally Canadian cars here near the border. DRL's were a Canadian requirement.

[DreamSign]

Originally Posted by A8ked

Is it possible that your car is originally from Canada? We do see lots of formally Canadian cars here near the border. DRL's were a Canadian requirement.

Ahhh, you may be on to something. I just drove it down from Canada. It was imported into Canada a few years ago.

I think you figured it out.

You officially "win" this thread :dance:


...now how do I fix it?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by DreamSign

Ahhh, you may be on to something. I just drove it down from Canada. It was imported into Canada a few years ago.

I think you figured it out.

You officially "win" this thread :dance:


...now how do I fix it?

Requires some electronic parts and reprogramming with a PST II or PIWIS unit.

[paulofto]

[QUOTEDreamSign;647285]


...now how do I fix it?[/QUOTE]

Why not just leave it? DRLs are standard in Canada and are a safety feature.

My car is originally from the US and to register it in Canada the DRLs had to be activated.

[DreamSign]

The car is now in California.

Now that the trans is working correctly (tiptronic was 1/2 liter low and started slipping a little, fixed with addition of fluid) my plan is to sell this one and buy a boxster with a manual trans (I like the 3rd pedal) and possibly a "S" model.

So, given there is nothing objectively "wrong" with the now known to be intentional daytime running headlights, I'll just leave that as is.

What a fun car! I'm really enjoying driving it.