Litronic ballast removal

Hello I believe my litronic (posh word for hid) ballast has died - it stopped working, then slowly fired up giving the light a pink glow before warm then just stopped during a journey) or is playing up and before I bend over and pay breaker prices for a spare, I thought I'd try swapping over the ballasts to check. However, im unable to get this 'plug' out of the housing. Any suggestions on how to remove it without resorting to brute force? Do I need a special tool? And brute force won't push it out from the inside either. Thanks

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I've had mine to bits a couple of times and I just looked back through my FAQ thread as I couldn't remember how it comes apart, but it doesn't show how unfortunately. I would probably remember if I took my headlight out but I'm not near the car. From your picture it looks like you push the side tabs in, looks like two or four of them, and it should push out? Any more pictures?

Ok, so ive relooked and it only has the 2 tabs keeping it up, not the 4 i originally thought. Tabs in question are the one at the front and rear. The left side 'tabs' are part of the housing which i didnt realise on first inspection Ive tried using my 45, 90 and flat needle nose pliers but its not happening. Its obviously possible as the ebay ads show them out. IM guessing maybe a bit of heat (hairdryer) to soften the plastic might make it more pliable? Alternatively, ive found some replacement ballasts on Amazon (same shape, style and what looks like to be the same spec ) as OEM and so i can cut the cables and spade/bullet connectors and/or use normal aftermarket ballasts? I can take some more pics, but not sure what angle youd like as theres not much more to be shown - the underside is smooth

I just thought pictures may jog my memory but if you are saying there are tabs to get this block out then that will be the way to remove it I guess? I would probably hold the cover in a vice so it leaves both hands free to get to both clips, a couple of flat blade screwdrivers might do it?

Hello, think i editted my post as you posted yours but yes i think the hair dryer and small computer screwdrivers will be needed to be used as the levers, but then ive also realised that even if i get it out, ill still have to cut the cables on both the old and new cable to get it through the plastic bit, so i can use it. :wack: Ill still try the hair dryer and small screw driver approach and post here my findings, or just ask for this post to be removed to hide my embarrassment :grin:

The back of the bulb holder (red/black bit) also has clips on it so maybe you can remove the cables by themselves, the size of the hole you are trying to get through will be made so it is big enough to get whatever goes through it, through. There is a picture halfway down this thread http://911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=124477 Thinking back I think I just kept all mine together with the rear cover as I wasn't having issues with that part of the headlight.

Just tried this suggestion but alas those clips are fragile and each one broke. So tried to put it apart but looks like its got abit of glue or something holding it together as it just doesnt want to come apart. Just swapped the bulbs over as well, and even though the one in the 'blown' headlight, looked abit cloudy in the bubble compared to the other one, it works perfectly in the 'working' one. Ive got loads of spare ballasts and bits from my subaru's so will see what can be put together, what cables need cutting etc. I did it for my subaru (***** knows why JDM models had to have different fittings to UKDM models despite both my the same model), so should be able to do something here.

Looking at this one for sale on ebay the bulb holder definitely goes through the hole where the cover is and it also looks like there are 4 clips holding that cover in not 2? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-...8300-New-NOS/153731760166?hash=item23cb208026

yeah, i have no idea what im looking at, think i spent too long on pornhub and my eyes have gone funny. Think ill just cut the cable, add connectors or solder the new cables on and job done. As opposed to paying £360 for something used with an unknown lifespan, i can do the same for £50 with new and warranty. Thanks for the help anyway

Finally managed to get that square out, just needed to push in one of the side tabs and press down in the middle and it all just popped out. Thought id try my spare ballast ive got kicking around and found out that its not all going to fit under the ballast cage so some of it will need to be relocated away from the headlight housing. Namely the silver box; This then causes another issue as its all quite cavernous inside once the lights in, its just bit of a nightmare to figure out where to put it all that wont catch on something. 20201212_150237 The ideal space is just behind the cage but then theres pipes and stuff in the way. Above the water washer pipe has the semi flexi hose and if its loose, then it might disappear down the gap between the bodywork and arch liner. Another ideal place would be to the gap between the light and the wing but then got to get the cables there and hope they dont drop down infront of the plug section. Or maybe just on top of the cage? Then i remembered that someone modified a light unit to put in an aftermarket LED kit and cooling fans but now i cant find the thread. Dont suppose anyone else remembers this thread?

And yes, i have seen these but not sure if i trust them;

ok, for anyone else wondering, after abit of googling of 5DV 007 760-39 or 996631 183-00 Brings up lots of options that will direct fit for us so you dont have to dick around trying to figure it all out. Probably should have done that initially than try and use the parts ive got kicking around.

I was going to say I am not sure why you are using a different ballast when a replacement is not that expensive. I did quite a lot of research when my lights seemed to play up and bought a replacement like for like ballast but did not need it in the end. In my extensive search I think I came across a thread on one of the US sites, Rennsport, Rennline or such like. There was someone on there converting halogen to litronics and plenty of pictures on disassembly of the headlight unit. It might be worth a search '996 ballast replacement. There may also be s9me pictures on the thread here where there is a group buy for projector headlights that may help. Your one looks to have different connectors to the OEM one. Keep us posted and best of luck. Pip

Did you get this sorted in the end? I've been messing around fitting new projectors recently and had the whole unit apart in the process