No headlights! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Kurt W · 10-05-2009, 08:53 PM

Left work today and no headlights in either low or high beam. Fog Lights still work fortunately since that is how I got home. Side markers work, rear tails work, front parking lights work (dim as they usually are). Not litronic, 2004. Everything else okay as far as I can tell. Any suggestions? I'm thinking relay, but don't really know where to start.

mikefocke · 10-06-2009, 06:41 AM

Swap bulbs around in the headlights, fogs to low beams (upper bulb).
Once that rules out simultaneous burnout, move to fuses.

A9 and A10 are the right and left low beam. Under the dash. Switch with A1 and A2...all 15w fuses. That switches the low and high beam fuses.

We will assume you have done no recent wiring, that you haven't replaced the ignition switch recently. And that both are working correctly. And that everything else in the car is working.

ppbon · 10-06-2009, 08:28 AM

And if all else fails...
Replace the ignition switch.
Happy Boxstering,
Pedro

Kurt W · 10-07-2009, 06:52 AM

I had tried all the obvious except for swapping the bulbs. The simultaneous burnout just seemed too far out.

Problem has been tracked down to the dash headlight switch, and now its okay to go out after dark.

thanks,

AUDIOGUY · 10-07-2009, 03:53 PM

Seems all too common. I had mine go this year also. Was an easy fix. I did it myself and the part was just about $100.00.

Cheers!

gunmetalgrey · 10-08-2009, 02:28 PM

I need to replace my headlight switch as well...can you please point/share some instructions?

Many thanks!

da032 · 10-09-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunmetalgrey

I need to replace my headlight switch as well...can you please point/share some instructions?

Many thanks!

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=3131&st=0&p=14785&#entry14785

I did this replacement myself a month ago. Took about an hour

gunmetalgrey · 10-11-2009, 09:39 AM

Many thanks! Got some excellent pointers and info. I cleaned the existing switch and now my light work most of the time. I'm now going to order a new switch and retire the old one.

What an awesome forum.

heliguy · 09-07-2010, 10:48 AM

Changed mine too, not too hard

kevinle92618 · 02-08-2012, 08:56 AM

Instead of replacing the headlight switch, you might want to try the cheap fix first. Clean it with electrical cleaner. I think the trick is to spray it as much as you can and then SHAKE IT FOR A FEW MINUTES. Attach the small straw to the spray can tip so you can force the cleaner detergent into the switch.