Help Please - Headlight Switch Failed?

One for the tech gurus please, just got in the car and tried to turn the lights on, but no main headlights working. Sidelights, front fogs and full beam all working, but no dipped lights. It looks like they are on separate fuses for left and right and chances of 2 filaments going concurrently is pretty slim so I'm guessing it's the switch? Is this a known fault? Fingers crossed that someone has the answer to this! Thanks in anticipation, Martyn

Yes - the light switch is a fairly common problem, as is the ignition switch. Lucky it didn't happen while driving. I know someone who had it happen to him - and I expect he'll be along soon. [ ] [ ] Still worth checking the fuses and bulbs first.

Crikey, that was fast! Thanks Richard. Is it a switch change or are you talking about cleaning contacts or similar, is it easy to DIY and any idea of cost etc... Thanks again, Martyn

Who, me? Yep, easy fix and you need to change the switch. My specialist did mine but if it goes again, I'll do it myself. I think the switch was about £60.

Yes you! It would have frightened the life out of me for the lights to go off on a dark country road - a bit of a brown trouser moment. [:-] [:-] The switch part number is 996.613.535.00, and they are £74.77 inc VAT. As John says, a fairly easy job to change. The switch knob has a small brass release clip on the underside, and then the vent trim comes off with torx screws - there is one behind the switch knob, that's why you have to take it off first. See the Ignition Switch DIY, which shows how to do it.

Thanks for the advice, new sw fitted by Swindon OPC in about 10 mins (excellent service) , cost £75, but.... fault still there. Fuses ok, possible very faint (old, not fresh) smell of burning but I can't be certain of that. Sidelights, full beam and fogs all work, it's just dipped that doesn't. V keen to rectify as it is my only car, thoughts gratefully received. Martyn

There are no relays on the lights, so it's supply-fuse-switch-wiring-bulbs. Have you checked the bulbs, or at least one of them? Other than that, it's down to checking the wiring. Also check the connectors where the headlamp units plug in. If you want a wiring diagram, drop me an email with the model year of your car.

Richard, Thanks for relay thought, I was just trawling the site for relay diagrams! I'll check a bulb now, maybe should have done it earlier, but decided a simultaneous failure as I turned the lights on was unlikely to say the least, especially as it was fine yesterday morning. England already 10 points down so I'll nip out now... Wiring diagram would be appreciated for a 99 MY C2, I'll work out how to email you. ATB Martyn

Ok, Now I'm struggling. Switch, fuses and filaments all checked and serviceable. To recap, went to switch headlights on last night but they didn't work. Sidelights, fogs and full beam all work fine, the problem lies only with dipped headlights. This is a last request for thoughts - has anyone else experienced this? The fact that both failed to come on simultaneously might be relevant, I'd have thought that the potential single points of failure are few. Anyway, thanks for the comments, if it's an "interesting" snag I'll report back to the forum. Martyn

you mean to say they didn't test the circuit and switch first to confirm the fault ??? blimey anyone can just bolt on new parts until something works again. [8|] I'd take it back and make them test the lighting circuit properly. They are supposed to be Porsche trained and you are certainly paying for that. Its a simple enough job to check the wiring circuit, you could do it with a 12v bulb and a couple of bits of wire and crocodile clips. The fact that both have gone would suggest to me an earthing problem as the supply to both bulbs should be independently fused I believe

have you tried the indicator / dip stalk ? had a similar problem with my old 3.2 ( i know different car) but I had side and full beam but not main headlamps. just a thought. paul 75pno missing sse 3.2

Ok, time to 'fess up. It was a double filament failure....... I'd checked fuses and filaments before taking the 'change the switch' option and to be fair to OPC I told them that I wanted a new switch based on fuse and filament check. They were v busy and it was 1215 yesterday - technicians finish at 1230 - and they fitted it for me on the spot. However, my 'interpretation' of the drivers handbook meant that I was in fact checking the full beam bulb - which happens to be the same type as dipped beam. Looking at the diagram in the book I still think it's labelled incorrectly! As a final check before opening my wallet for some electrical expertise I thought I'd just check the other bulb in the uit and hey presto. Then just a simple matter of changing the other side too. What I have learned: 1. A duff bulb can look perfectly ok, no blacking of the glass and no obvious filament breakage. 2. Check all permutations of bulbs. 3. Read the diagram correctly (I STILL think it's labelled incorrectly). 4. A double bulb failure can happen. It's possible that one had already gone without me realising, I guess a proper visual check of lights is the only surefire method. There's nothing new there. I thought about making an elaborate excuse, but this just might help someone else one day. Right, it's stopped raining outside and it's quite dark so I'm going out in the car. because I can. Thanks to all for the helpful comments and advice. Martyn

glad you found it without it costing too much Martyn. Confessions are cathartic .I once took a 944 in for MOT with a fast flashing indicator system . Having exhasted every possibility I asked the garage to take a look . After spending 2 hours stripping the car they found it had a 24v bulb ! I had put it in myself days earlier !..ooops

Perhaps we should start a "stupid things I have done thread", now that could be amusing. In fact I could probably complete one all by myself. Cheers

Not for me, don't have time, I would be on here all day!