986 headlight/DRL issue

[KenT]

I have Canadian 2000 Boxster S with litronic lights.

The Daytime running lights recently stopped coming on. Also, I noticed that the low-beams go off when I turn on the high beams. They do stay on when I just flash the high beams. I'm not sure if that is the proper behavior but at night the high beams do not seem right. The manual says the low beams should rise a bit when high beams are on.

I can't remember exactly what should be on when, but I believe there are supposed to be marker lights on (same spot on the turn signals) in front. The turn signals work fine but the marker lights in front never come on. The side marker lights do work fine.

Any suggestions? I have re-seated both headlight units. I assume it can't be fuses since all the lights work at some point. I did check the marker-light fuse and some others.

Thanks.

[ccjazz]

I went through something similar with my litronics (Canadian car) a year or so ago. The car had been in extended storage and the DRL's weren't coming on or going through the normal self-leveling sequence on start up.

Someone here on the forum suggested changing the double relay in the footwell.

Changed the relay and it solved my issue, everything works fine.

Good luck!

[KenT]

Thanks - I'll check that. I can see that the Litronic lights are doing the self leveling, but maybe it's an incomplete cycle.

[KenT]

Where did you get the relay?

[doctorm3]

Not sure if this could be the case with yours but I was having the same problem with my litronics along with a sticky ignition switch (well documented here on the forum). I replaced the ignition switch and everything was better, including the lights:dance:

[ccjazz]

I bought it here in Canada for ease of shipping/customs.

It is Porsche part no. 996.615.111.00

If you google that part number you will also see links to various forum threads discussing drl issues. Maybe check them out before ordering the part to see if there may be another fix for your problem.

These relays do fail though and the new relay worked perfectly for me.

[Nine8Six]

nice thread. Hope it all works out

no hack to this drl relay yet? bypassing the DRL in any ways. Couldn't find anything on the subject. strange...

[BoxsterSteve]

Originally Posted by Nine8Six

nice thread. Hope it all works out

no hack to this drl relay yet? bypassing the DRL in any ways. Couldn't find anything on the subject. strange...

I just run without mine installed. No reason, I just want it that way...

[Nine8Six]

Steve hang on, removing the relay when car running keeps the headlight constantly ON or switchable on/off (a-la-RoW)?

[BoxsterSteve]

Originally Posted by Nine8Six

Steve hang on, removing the relay when car running keeps the headlight constantly ON or switchable on/off (a-la-RoW)?

Switchable on/off (a-la-RoW). I just prefer it that way.
My car's original owner trashed the car's original headlights with 75W bulbs. Now I'd just as soon not have them running all the time.
Come to think of it, my scorched headlights would make great candidates for a bixenon conversion!

[woodsman]

When my DRL relay failed and when I removed it, my litronics were indeed switchable but would turn off when I selected high beams ( halogens may differ). Nothing German designed is simple...

[KenT]

That is the behavior I have now. I want them on with the high beams. I have a relay on order. I'll report back.

[Nine8Six]

Originally Posted by BoxsterSteve

Switchable on/off (a-la-RoW). I just prefer it that way.
My car's original owner trashed the car's original headlights with 75W bulbs. Now I'd just as soon not have them running all the time.
Come to think of it, my scorched headlights would make great candidates for a bixenon conversion!

Nice one Steve, thanks for this info

Didn't know. Not only that.... I've spent quite a bit of time trying to figure how to bypass (was trying to help a fellow member remotely from Shanghai). Embarrassing..... just flip out the relay and done. funny

Thanks mate and I agree RE headlight being a great candidate. Halogens needs to be exterminated. Modern car lighting systems are the way to go

[ekam]

Originally Posted by ccjazz

going through the normal self-leveling sequence on start up.

Someone here on the forum suggested changing the double relay in the footwell.

Changed the relay and it solved my issue, everything works fine.

Good luck!

My litronics also stopped doing the self-leveling check but my DRLs are working fine... Wonder if I should try changing this relay?

[KenT]

Just a quick wrap up:
I replaced the DRL relay and that fixed the issues.

Symptoms were no DRL's, and low-beam litronic lights went out when high-beams were switched on. Both problems went away with the new relay.

Thanks for the help everyone,
Ken

[ccjazz]

Excellent!