Trouble with Xenon Headlight

[zehutiman]

I hope somebody can give me some insight and advice.

I have a '98 Boxster which I just retrofitted with used Xenon headlights (996 631 15 807). The left headlight (specifically the bulb behind the projection lens) doesn't work. I switched bulbs between the left and right headlights, but the left side still didn't work, but the right did, so I don't believe the bulb is the problem..

The bulb behind the projection lens is the low beam, right? Would the other bulb in that headlight assembly work if the ballast was faulty? Does anybody have any advice? Could it simply be the ballast, which I can replace with one from eBay?

Here's a pic (sorry for the blur...my phone cam is on the blink):

[Timco]

Looks like only the marker light on driver's side.

I'll say ballast but make sure it's plugged in right with both plugs on each side.

[dghii]

swap ballast. If bad, they are available on ebay.

[zehutiman]

Ok, I switched the ballasts and had the same result -- the right headlight works, but not the left -- so it doesn't look like the ballast is at fault. I put the old halogen back in place of the left xenon headlight, and it works fine.

So, what could it be? There is no fuse for the low-beams, right? I only saw a fuse for high-beams, and it was intact. I heard somebody once mention that it could be the switch on the dash...but, does the fact that the old headlights work eliminate that possibility? Loose wire in the headlight, itself? Contacts oxidized too much on xenon headlight (only 15k miles, though)?

[particlewave]

Since the halogen works, I'd start with the Lits connector, then check wiring and other connections.
Make sure that all pins (especially the low beam and common ground) are in good shape.

[dghii]

Inspect the headlight assembly internal wiring for shorts.
Last fall I lost the lintronics on passenger side. Upon inspection, the insulation of some of the wiring had disinterested. The remaining insulators would crumble when touched.

I cleaned everything up and insulated all the wiring with heat shrink and electrical tape.
All good now!

[zehutiman]

Ok, so I pored over all the connections and cleaned them, with no change.

I did discover something, however. As a very new Porsche owner, I remember threads about the ignition switch. After I start my Boxster, if I don't turn the key ever-so slightly to the right (1/4"?), things like the climate control don't work -- radio too, I think. When I tested the headlights, for some reason I didn't turn the key a bit further, like I usually do, and behold, neither low-beam on either headlight worked. But, when I moved the key just a bit to the right, the low-beam of the right headlight came on, but still no low-beam on the left.

Is this the source of my problems? Need a new ignition switch?

[KevinH1990]

Originally Posted by dghii

Inspect the headlight assembly internal wiring for shorts.
Last fall I lost the lintronics on passenger side. Upon inspection, the insulation of some of the wiring had disinterested. The remaining insulators would crumble when touched.

I cleaned everything up and insulated all the wiring with heat shrink and electrical tape.
All good now!

Look at post #11 on this thread: http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/54697-advice-used-litronics.html

The wiring on these units was designed with biodegradable insulation and I've seen several posts from folks who had the wire degrade while in the car.

Make sure that the headlight is seating in the blue connector in the car. One of mine was out of alignment and I had similar problems with my headlights.

If you have access to a computer power supply that provides 12 volt DC current, you can use Particlewave's diagram to test the light while it is off the car. That would help you rule out problems in the car's wiring or switches. If you aren't familiar with computer power supplies, search on Youtube to see several videos on how to adapt one for bench use.


Good luck.

[dghii]

Originally Posted by zehutiman

Ok, so I pored over all the connections and cleaned them, with no change.

I did discover something, however. As a very new Porsche owner, I remember threads about the ignition switch. After I start my Boxster, if I don't turn the key ever-so slightly to the right (1/4"?), things like the climate control don't work -- radio too, I think. When I tested the headlights, for some reason I didn't turn the key a bit further, like I usually do, and behold, neither low-beam on either headlight worked. But, when I moved the key just a bit to the right, the low-beam of the right headlight came on, but still no low-beam on the left.

Is this the source of my problems? Need a new ignition switch?

Replace the ignition switch! It's only $15 and you will eliminate lots of weird stuff!

[zehutiman]

Originally Posted by dghii

Replace the ignition switch! It's only $15 and you will eliminate lots of weird stuff!

Do you think the ignition lock has anything to do with it in this case? Just the electrical part?