996 Turbo / GT2 Turbo discussion on previous model 2000-2005 Porsche 911 Twin Turbo and 911 GT2.

Can't Aim Headlight?!?!

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Old May 18, 2010 | 08:44 AM
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Can't Aim Headlight?!?!

My passenger side light is about 5 degrees lower than the driver's side.

I have tried using a Phillips screwdriver though the alignment hole without success. Then I removed the headlight assembly and tried the adjustment directly from the outside of the housing. Although the screw turns, it doesn't seem to be doing anything.

Questions - Does the headlight assembly have to be installed with power to the lights for the adjustment to work (motor driven)? Is there any other way to align the headlight?

Any help would be appreciated - thanks.
 
Old May 18, 2010 | 09:10 AM
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I also need to figure this out
 
Old May 18, 2010 | 09:12 AM
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Not sure if you have this, but here are the instructions from the service manual. See if this will help.

Headlight-adj.pdf
 
Old May 18, 2010 | 09:47 AM
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Yes, I have the manual... They mention a "headlight adjustment unit" (I figured out that a really narrow screwdriver would turn the screw) but I don't know how to find out why it's not working. Should turning the adjustment screw with the housing removed allow a vertical adjustment to work (mechanical vs electrical).
 
Old May 18, 2010 | 11:24 AM
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You should be able to pop out the entire headlight unit and turn the screw. I believe clockwise on the lower screw raises the beam. So you can set the reference. The auto adjust is for when the car changes it's stance.
 
Old May 18, 2010 | 11:25 AM
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What is involved in the "Auto Adjust"?
 
Old May 18, 2010 | 01:17 PM
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I'm having the same issue with mine on the passenger side headlight. Pointing up too high. Some one got the answer hopefully? Thanks in advance.
 
Old May 18, 2010 | 02:39 PM
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The instructions for aiming the headlight are in the owner's manual. However, at least in mine, the instructions give exactly the reverse of the correct directions (mine is an '01, perhaps they fixed this later). I mean, it said turn one way to aim the headlight up, but it was actually the opposite.

A long screwdriver will not do the job. It is a hex key - a really long one. What I ended up doing was using some hex stock and then a socket to turn it. There are two holes. One adjusts left-right, and the manual says not to touch that one. The other adjusts up-down. In my car, I was able to adjust the driver's side in the car, but I had to take out the passenger's side, tweak the adjuster and then put it back. Your hex key doesn't have to be as long when it is out of the car.

My car and I are on different continents at the moment, so I can't give you the exact details. I hope this helps just the same.

Jon
 
Old May 18, 2010 | 02:55 PM
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I have had the same problem, the adjuster had come of the smal ball inside the light unit.
 
Old May 18, 2010 | 03:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Speedfreak
I have had the same problem, the adjuster had come of the smal ball inside the light unit.
Did you have to take the back off the light housing to figure that out?
 
Old May 18, 2010 | 10:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Slider
Did you have to take the back off the light housing to figure that out?
I can't remember, but I opened it some where and it wasn't difficult to fix.
 
Old May 19, 2010 | 12:10 AM
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Same issue on mine. One light adjusts fine, the other wouldn't adjust no matter what. I took it apart and it looked like the adjuster came off, I clicked it back on and same issue that it wouldn't go up. I adjusted them evenly and added HIDS to the fogs.
 
Old May 19, 2010 | 08:01 AM
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Yesterday, I cracked open the enclosure - easy to do; just remove two screws and un-clip in 2 places and it pops open. I was able to determine that the adjustment is mechanical - so no power required for the adjustment to happen. Clockwise aims up.

I think there is something wrong with mine because the headlight assembly (part that holds high-beam and low beam) is very loose in there although I can't see any obvious signs that something is broken. By turning my adjustment to the limit, I was able to get the light to aim up 70% to where it should be.

If anyone has a passenger side light assembly they don't need, I would be happy to take it off your hands - for a reasonable fee of course.
 
Old Aug 18, 2010 | 10:20 AM
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My passenger light will not adjust so it looks like I have to crack the light open and reattach the adjustment mechanisms. Is there anything I should be aware of before I tackle this? Thanks!
 
Old Apr 8, 2017 | 12:00 PM
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Determined my passenger side has the same issue. Opened the headlight up and looked to see if the gear spun as I tried to adjust, and it doesn't move. I then tested the driver side to make sure i wasn't doing anything wrong. That side operated fine.


I don't see how you could reseat anything without taking all the guts out. Any advice?


Also, seems to be common on the passenger side, haven't seen anyone report the same issue on the driver side.
 


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