Boxer headlights going up and down on their own | FerrariChat
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Boxer headlights going up and down on their own

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by atheyg, Jan 18, 2005.

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  1. atheyg

    atheyg Guest

    #1 atheyg, Jan 18, 2005
    I took my Boxer for the first time on a couple hour drive today and was driving it back after dark with the lights on and the headlights started malfunctioning up and down on their own with the switch on.

    I was told it began at the paint shop, the lights would begin to go up and down on their own with everything off, the drivers light also has been malfunctioning and not retracting and would require manual retraction with the emergency knobs.

    Now today the passenger light was retracting up and down with the lights on several times, the drivers since it requires manual retraction stayed up of course, I hit the light stalk switch off and on again and it stopped the retaction up and down. When I got home and shut the lights off the drivers of course stayed up but would not retract with the emergency knob as if it was stuck in the opening sequence and I needed to disconnect the battery so I could manually retract it.

    So am I looking at a relay or switch, possibly poor connections in the fuse box?

    Thanks in advance
     
  2. Darolls

    Darolls F1 Veteran
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    #2 Darolls, Jan 19, 2005
    Check the relays/connections first.

    Prime suspects, and the easiest to diagnose.
     
  3. ag512bbi

    ag512bbi F1 Veteran
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    #3 ag512bbi, Jan 19, 2005
    I've had that happen before with my Boxer. Something with the wiring. I really don't remember it was about 15 years ago. But... your not alone.

    Sorry i'm no help.
     
  4. greg246

    greg246 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 greg246, Jan 19, 2005
    Your car is probably going bonkers over the recent rise in boxer values
     
  5. Ferrari_tech

    Ferrari_tech Formula 3

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    #5 Ferrari_tech, Jan 19, 2005
    Sometimes the headlight motor is at fault, once the diode inside the motor is blown it can cause this problem. Had this problem a while ago and the L/H headlight was "blinking", but strangely enough it was the R/H motor that was faulty - once replaced the problem vanished!
     
  6. FourCam

    FourCam Formula Junior

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    Cameron MacArthur
    #6 FourCam, Jan 19, 2005
    Look at your relays--you can either replace all of them--or carefully feel them for heat and a "clicking" sound to locate the culprit. 308's do this also, that's how I know-had the same thing happening at totally strange times. The relays are fairly common-the numbers are on them and they are usually found at Ferrari, Porsche, or Import Auto Parts places.
     
  7. atheyg

    atheyg Guest

    #7 atheyg, Jan 19, 2005
    I changed the 3 relays for new ones and still had the same problem, when switching the lights on the right light went up and down over and over again, the left of course stuck in the open position, when I unplugged the stuck open left light the right light returned to normal and stopped opening and closing, as suggested by Ferrari UK tech the faulty motor must be the cause.

    Anyone know where to get the motors are they a Ferrari only part?

    Thanks again
     
  8. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 BigTex, Jan 19, 2005
    Check diodes......check grounding.
     
  9. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    #9 f355spider, Jan 19, 2005
    It is most likely the diodes on the motor...you don't need to replace the entire motor. Check the archives, there are some threads on replacing diodes, as this topic comes up every six months or so.

    Good luck,
    Dave
     
  10. Ferrari_tech

    Ferrari_tech Formula 3

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    #10 Ferrari_tech, Jan 20, 2005
    As suggested by davehanda, if you can source diodes that will be the cheapest solution, however if you end up replacing the motor we have
    stock - approx $150 plus shipping etc.
     

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