996 Headlight height adjustment issues

Currently trying to adjust the N/S headlight on my 2004 Turbo as it’s a little bit low but not having much luck. I bought a long hex key (150+ mm) with a ball end as I’ve seen recommended. Removed the light and confirmed it fits in the relevant socket and turned it to get a feel for the resistance. I then refitted the light and put the key through the lower hole in the inner wing. I can feel it engage with the socket in the light, but when I try to turn it it feels like there isn’t any resistance (like it’s slipping out of the socket) and the light doesn’t move. Since that wasn’t working I figured I would try adjusting the light out of the car with a bit of trial and error, but even after 4 or 5 rotations the position of the light hadn’t changed when I put it back in the car. Am I doing something wrong, or is something broken?

the tool end need to be 5mm, a ball-ended driver is recommended

Yep, that’s what I have. As I say, it fits fine if I take the light out so it’s definitely the right size. But the main issue I’m trying to solve is why the light doesn’t adjust even when I take it out and know I’m definitely turning it.

Can you not remove the panel off the back of the light unit where you get access to the bulbs, then watch the mechanism inside as you try turning it. They sometime come unclipped.

Wasn’t sure how easy they were to disassemble, but that will probably be my next step, thanks.

Where you get access to replace the bulbs.

Finally got round to taking the back off and confirmed that the screw was moving the internal mechanism. Took the OS light out to compare the position of the thread and they were quite different, so I adjusted the NS to roughly to match and found the light had got even lower, so turned it back the other way and got it back to where it was. The issue now is that even with the NS light adjustment at max travel in the "up" direction it's still about 1-2cm lower than the OS, so although the mechanism is moving the light, it feels like it isn't properly calibrated for the mid point if that makes sense?

The cradle that the whole light unit sits in is also adjustable. You can adjust the angle of that to bring the beam up. Probable best to take both light units out and compare where the cradles are sat. Look at the last post in this thread from GT4 : M Thread 'headlamp adjustment manually' 16 Mar 2012 ive now got the replacement porsche xenon factory headlights in my 996, all be it they are 997 headlights ! so what im wondering is how to manually adjust the angle of beam, they are great, however had a few flashes tonight, and noticed they are angled quite high on dip ! just wanted to know if anyone knew what tool and what hole to adjust the up down ? thanks moss Replies: 9 Forum: Porsche 911 996 (1997-2005)

Sounds promising, thanks! Will try and have a play later when it's a bit darker.

Might want to get soaking the adjusters in wd40 or the likes. They like to seize up.

Is the rear headlight levelling sensor bracket still in tact, that can affect the height of the headlight if the bracket is broken which I believe is pretty common

Not checked, but would that affect only one headlight? The auto-levelling seems to work ok in that both lights move up and down when turning them on, it's just that the NS is lower than the OS.

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The issue you have , is that the adjuster is a bevel gear,if it is not sat correctly inside the headlamp housing, it will not connect with the worm drive inside. I have recently stripped my headlamps down to fit retrolab projectors, and fitting the adjusters was a swine and took patience.But that will definitely be your issue. The come apart easily enough, just fiddly putting the back in.

The internal mechanism was working and moving the beam up and down, but it sounds like the whole light unit is not pointing in the right direction due to the cradle being out of correct position. PS: Is it Tim? I've met you down at Mitton Hall in the past and know a few of the local TIPEC gang. Nice to see you posting on here.

Hi Tim, did you manage to fit the main beam connector that Retrofitlabs supplied, I gave up as the connector they supplied was too big for the space available.