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The following procedure, written by Dave Simms, is based on the headlight motor circuits in 1983 and 1984 model 944s. Dave has also included information on how the motor circuits in later 944s differ from those of the early cars. However, the theory of operation and repair methods remain the same. I've added a few notes along the way and a different circuit diagram (with Dave's approval). We plan to expand this procedure down the road to describe how the entire exterior lighting circuit works in detail. But first, I have to figure out exactly how the bridge adapter in the later model 944 works. I'd like to thank Dave for his valuable contribution to Clark's Garage.

Clark Fletcher

Foreword by the Author

My 944 had been reclaimed from an insurance company following a vandalism claim. The car had gone to a yard where some parts had been sold from it. In the process, the wiring harness had been cut in the front of the car and the headlight motor had been sold. When I purchased the car, the headlight motor in it had come from another wreck and was not connected. The internal circuit under the relay block had been rewired incorrectly. Finally, the mechanical headlight linkage was binding and several of the cap screws were loose. Surprisingly, most of the car was fine.

So far, I have rebuilt all of the brake calipers, resurfaced or replaced all of the rotors, repacked the CV joints, fixed a number of electrical problems and cured some ills in the cooling system. I have learned that one of the most important things about the 944 is the assortment of clips and clamps that hold the various tubes, wires and hoses in place. When I got the car, the top rad hose was not clamped in place. One result was the circular-saw effect that had been applied by the alternator pulley to the hose. Cars that have seen work done by a number of different people may be subject to sloppiness in the area of what appears to be unimportant details. I'm resigned to the fact that, if I want a reliable car, the details must be identical to the way they were when the car left the factory.

All told, I am enjoying working through the various systems of the 944, checking and rebuilding them. The car is different and my work has been an education. I have strived to do every task, by the book. Restoring the car's performance and reliability is my aim.

David Simms, Kamloops, BC, Canada

Components

• Motor
• Worm gear / Rotary Switch : This switch has three brushes which ride on a conducting disk. The inner brush has a cut-out that interrupts the current when the headlights have reached the off position. The center brush has an uninterrupted path. The outside brush has a cut-out that interrupts the current when the headlights have reached the on position.
• Relay This normally-off relay controls the motor. Uses Red/Blue conductor.
• Four Conductors: Control wires :Grey, Red/Green. Supply wire :Red/Blue. Ground Wire : Brown.
• S1 Normally-on switch, controlled by the headlight dash switch. Uses Red/Green conductor.
• S2 Normally-off switch, same as above. Uses Grey conductor.
• Dash Light Switch controls S1 and S2.

• Initially, the ignition switch is on and the headlights are off. S1 is closed and the red/green conductor has 12 volts on it. The inner brush of the rotary switch resides on its cut-out. No current flows to the relay coil.
• The dash headlight switch is turned to on. Switch S1 is turned off (no effect). S2 is turned on, the grey conductor goes from zero to 12 volts. The outside brush on the rotary switch allows current to energize the relay coil. The relay closes the contact allowing current to flow along Red/Blue to the motor. The motor operates until the outside brush in the rotary switch meets its cut-out. Current to the relay is now interrupted. The motor turns off. The headlights are now in their on position.
NOTE

The first position on the headlight switch turns on the parking and license plate lights. The second position on the switch turns on the headlights and energizes the concealing motor to raise the headlights. C.F.

• The grey conductor still has 12 volts and the Red/green one has 0 volts.
• The dash headlight switch is now turned to the off position.
• S2 opens and S1 closes.
• The grey conductor goes to 0 volts, the Red/green one to 12 volts.
• The inner brush on the rotary switch energizes the relay coil. The motor operates until the inner brush touches its cut-out, turning off the relay and the motor. The headlights are now in their off position.
• This completes one cycle of headlight motor operation.

If you've ever tried to operate raise the headlights manually, you probably found that when you reached a certain point raising the headlights that they automatically went back down. That's because the headlight concealing motor energizes to both raise and lower the headlights. As you rotate the dial on the motor, you also move the rotary switch. With the S1 switch closed, when the rotary switch contact is made, the motor energizes and returns to the closed position. If you wish to raise the headlights manually, you must remove Fuse #1 on the auxiliary fuse panel for early 944s or Fuse #2 on the main fuse panel for later model 944s. C.F.

Notes Regarding the 1985 1/2 and more Recent Models

Similarities & Differences Between Early/Late Models:

• Basic principles of Operation are the Same
• The Grey control wire is now Yellow/Blue
• The control wires are now fused
• The Red/Green wire requires a 7.5 A fuse in holder no.16
• The Yellow/Blue wire takes a 7.5 A fuse in holder no.37
• The Red/Blue supply wire takes a 25 A fuse in holder no. 2
• These fuses must be checked before undertaking any repairs

Maintenance Suggestions

• If the car is new-to-you, check the fuse values: 16 amps in the no. 1 fuse holder on the Additional Fuse Box (Early 944s). For later cars, check the three fuses listed above.
• Turn the manual control knob on the headlight motor to take the system through one cycle, note any points of excessive resistance. Remember to remove the motor fuses before trying to cycle the motor manually. Try to locate where the rubbing occurs. It will probably occur where the headlight assembly passes through the bodywork. You may need to remove foreign material. Or, you may need to adjust the alignment of the linkage. Note the sheet metal tabs on either side of the car above the radiator. On each tab are three small cap screws. You can make small adjustments to the linkage here.
• Your car may have sustained front-end damage and folds in the body metal may be rubbing on the headlight housings as they change position. Consult a body man if this is preventing the proper operation of the headlight linkage.
• Grease the ball-joints in the linkage with lithium-based grease. Proper lubrication will make a surprising difference in the resistance encountered by the headlight concealing motor.

• Headlights too low or too high

• Headlights turn on but do not move

• Motor or ignition on Light switch off. Brown and grey: 0 volts, Red/Green and Red/Blue: 12 volts
• Motor or ignition on Light switch on. Brown and Red/Green: 0 volts. Grey and Red/Blue: 12 volts.
• Motor or ignition off Light switchoff . Brown and grey : 0 volts. Red/Green and Red/Blue : 12 volts.
• If the voltages are not as above, the problem lies in the headlight relay or dash switch. Remove and check them with an ohmmeter. Check the continuity of the conductors. Have fun !!
• If the voltages have the prescribed values, remove the motor assembly. The unit will have to be bench-tested.

• Remove unit from car.
• Disconnect motor shaft from linkage.
• Remove four-pin electrical connector from motor assembly
• Remove the three screws holding the unit to the car
• Remove the rubber covers from the motor assembly
• Do a visual/electrical check of components
• Check condition of the relay points. If they are burned, file the points or replace the relay.
• Check continuity of relay coil with an ohmmeter. The wire is fine and can easily break. The resistance of the coil is about 65 Ohms. If there is no continuity, the relay will need to be replaced.
• If the above checks out all right, remove the relay block from the motor.
• Check the male and female connectors in the four-pin connector for damage. You may need to bring the unit to your local supplier to get compatible connectors if they are damaged.
• Check wiring of the relay block.

• Remove the rotary switch cover and check the brushes.

• Test the motor

• Repairing the rubber boots. With time and temperature changes, the rubber boots protecting your headlight motor may have split along their seams.
• Clean and lightly sand the areas adjoining the split.
• Apply tape to the inside of the split so that the boot is held together.
• Apply several layers of automotive GOOP to the split, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next.
• Remove the tape and apply layers of GOOP to the inside of the split.
• Trim off any excess. Your boot should be able to withstand some vigorous stretching as it is put back on the motor.

Clark's Garage © 1998