So I have had this drivers side headlamp unit in my basement for the past few years. I've never really tried to figure out what was causing the blinker to flash quickly. Today I open up the housing behind the bulb and it is clean as a whistle, as in looks brand new. What specifically should I look for there? I did bend the contacts, maybe that will do it.

Regarding the main white connector, is pin 5 supposed to be absent?

 

What have you been using these last few years? Did you get a new unit? Try bending the metal contacts out slightly on the bottom and sides. Also, I made sure the female plug (still in the car) pins are clean and bent towards the middle (from top and bottom). And yes, one pin is not used. Good luck.

 

that's what I love about this site. A simple post about an indicator problem can become so interesting. Its a surprise to hear of so many same issues with indicator units and that just who are on this forum. How many ROW have the same issue?
Anyway, that's me subscribed for when mines goes.
Excellent post , very informative.

 

Thanks. I've been driving a different car That unit was from my 996 C2 that I sold a couple years ago. I replaced the entire unit at the time since I had to pass an inspection. I found a replacement on ebay for about $500. I'd like to get this one permanently fixed though, and probably sell it.

Did you know the TT and the C2 xenon headlamps are slightly different cosmetically?

 

I bent the contacts inward slightly on the bulb housing and the pins that connect to the car. Same issue. It does the same thing as it did with my last car. Swapped the original unit back into the TT and it works normally, which was expected.

I originally had the dealer look at it and they just called it a headlamp failure. Lots of help there. As far as I can tell there hasn't been a firm diagnosis of this problem by anyone. Some people have gotten lucky by manipulating pins and contacts though. It's a shame to have an otherwise pristine headlight unit collect dust.

 

I want to say thanks to the contributors to this forum. I just had the classic symptoms described here on my 2003 996 TT. Drivers side front turn signal not working. I replaced the bulb to no avail.

After reading the posts here I removed the headlight assembly and bent the turn signal contacts in the headlight assembly inward as described and problem solved.

Thanks again to all.

 

Yes -- there are some quirky things with our cars and this is the best place to find out about them. I'm still trying to figure out why it seems to always be the driver's side signal. Anyone got a theory on that one?

 

Just reinforcing fix to the front turn signal. Replacing bulb was not the fix. Slightly bent the center tab in the turn signal light socket upward. Makes the bulb fit more snugly. Operation OK now. Great forum.

 

Same issue with my 02 TT, just started happening this afternoon, this is a great forum with lots of info, I always read it prior to going to the dealers. I will be doing the same with the pins, TY to all for posting useful info on this site.

 

This thread saved me a lot of hassle(and probably a ton of money). Bending the tabs worked great!

 

Just happen to me. Same drivers side light. I bought and installed a new bulb and no luck.

I got on the 6'r and low and behold... others suffering from the same flu like symptoms!

I pulled the bulb/socket out of the headlight unit and bulb out of the socket. I bent the connector in the socket upward and re-installed the bulb into the socket. I then looked inside the headlight unit and found the two connectors and with a small screwdriver bent both tabs inward toward the inside (or socket) then reinstalled the bulb/socket then unit. When I hit the blinker... Yes! It was flashing... doing it's thing! Thank you all! Good stuff!

 

same as others. bulb replaced but no luck. bending the contacts worked. great resource, this place.

 

Same prob with mine (drivers ). Will bend tabs when back in town !

 

Showed this little diddy to my Porsche Mechanic. Thank you 6speedonline!!!!

 

It usually blinks fast when there is a bad connection...