HEDALIGHT Disperate faulty, Unexpected fault Options

[searunner]

yesterday coming into my garage, I hear one ritming song- under the cover of my 914 2.0 1974, one strange movement, the LEFT Headlamp go UP and DOWN
The RIGHT Headlamp stays in the closed position.
Normally, I detach the battery of the car when in the garage, but I forgot this time.
The car was without a KEY IN - the Light switch was off -
The last trip with the car ALL was regular, and the headlamp was in working condition.

I can STOP the movement, detaching the battery- but this NO was the solution,
Then I searched for a better solution.
Extract completely the Light switch -(with the BATTERY connected and KEY ON) I have the two headlamps is up and in stable condition - also when I START the engine and move the car, and make a long trip

But if I return the light switch to the POSITION light, the LEFT Headlight return to UP_DOWN movement.

Is clear that I have one short- Or one Relay issue - BUT 914 was full of relays
Can someone help me, to return to a normal 914 ??
I am not a native English so overlook my errors

[TheCabinetmaker]

I've had this exact problem. Mine happened in a hard rainstorm. Once it dried it was fine, but, it happened again a few years later when it was not raining. It was a corroded pin on the round relay at the headlight from the past rainstorm

[emerygt350]

You mean the relays in the frunk? What a crazy issue.

[ejm]

Inside the headlight motors are switches that stop them in the correct up or down position.

Swap the relays that are below the motors. If the trouble moves to the other side it is a relay problem. The switches in the motors can be cleaned and adjusted.

[emerygt350]

You can find these relays under the protective plastic cover in the frunk. They just pull out easily.

[Maltese Falcon]

Inside the headlight motors are switches that stop them in the correct up or down position.

Swap the relays that are below the motors. If the trouble moves to the other side it is a relay problem. The switches in the motors can be cleaned and adjusted.

Good point ! I have cleaned these (internal discs and 'Stylus style) switches inside the headlight motor housings. These can also easily short out/ or conduct erratically >> by deposits of lube grease that drops out of the small gears in there on to the disc's. Weird... but not 'Pasta my trouble shooting capabilities ¡
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/marty914.jpg)

[searunner]

Good point ! I have cleaned these (internal discs and 'Stylus style) switches inside the headlight motor housings. These can also easily short out/ or conduct erratically >> by deposits of lube grease that drops out of the small gears in there on to the disc's. Weird... but not 'Pasta my trouble shooting capabilities ¡
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/marty914.jpg)
[/quote]
I thank all for the suggestions.
I have one RED -Relay normally dedicated to the electrical pump- substituted for the oldest black BUT UP & DOWN continue-
I have in my second garage, 3 new BLACK relays,
but the weather is very bad, stormy and snowy. I try a substitution as soon as possible- I will inform you if the problem is solved

[emerygt350]

[quote name='searunner' date='Jan 7 2026, 02:02 PM' post='3239870']
Good point ! I have cleaned these (internal discs and 'Stylus style) switches inside the headlight motor housings. These can also easily short out/ or conduct erratically >> by deposits of lube grease that drops out of the small gears in there on to the disc's. Weird... but not 'Pasta my trouble shooting capabilities ¡
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/marty914.jpg)
[/quote]
I thank all for the suggestions.
I have one RED -Relay normally dedicated to the electrical pump- substituted for the oldest black BUT UP & DOWN continue-
I have in my second garage, 3 new BLACK relays,
but the weather is very bad, stormy and snowy. I try a substitution as soon as possible- I will inform you if the problem is solved
[/quote]
These are the relays in the frunk next to the headlight motors? Just swap them side to side.

[930cabman]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) Gremlins (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[searunner]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) Gremlins (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

YES is a gremlin - I have tried one new relay, but the result was negative- the gremlin is [b]NOT THE RELAY - Probably the oldest is good, I have tested it and have the same results as the newer-

I must done two
1) On my car, I have modified the fog lamp to DAY LIGHT with two LED connected directly to the POSITION LIGHT -
My FOG SW is completely detached from the diagram.

2) The DRIVER Headlight is OK, follow all commands
The PASSENGER Headlight have this strange gremlins

This DIAGRAM can elucidate better: Passenger HEAD L. DRIVER HEAD L.
CAR BATTERY EXCLUDED DOWN DOWN
CAR BATTERY CONNECTED UP & DOWN immediately DOWN
KEY OFF UP&DOWN continue DOWN
KEY ON UP&DOWN continue DOWN
LIGHT SW ON -POSITION Light UP&DOWN continue DOWN
LIGHT SW ON -HEAD Light UP Light ON UP OK
LEVER control - ON Low Light UP Light ON UP OK
LEVER control - ON Head Light UP Light ON UP OK

[/b]So My 914 can be drive on the road only with the Head light on UP position

[searunner]

The car photo was before the gremlins appeared
The LED was adhesive - applied on the glass of the FOG lamps

[Superhawk996]

I’m afraid I’m really struggling with the language barrier so I don’t think I’m fully understanding your problem.

But let me offer three things:

1) read this link to understand a simplified diagram of the wiring set up for the headlamp motors.

www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=20605&st=0


2) be aware that there are two diodes that are soldered to the headlamp motor terminals to prevent undesired current paths.


When these diodes go bad (either open or shorting internally) weird things happen to the motor operation.


3) the wiring diagram for the headlamp motors is well documented in both the Haynes and Factory service manual

As a final suggestion I’d start by reviewing any modifications you may have made when you modified the fog lamps.

PS: I lived in Martina Franca for about 2 years. Unfortunately my Italian was never good. Italy is such a beautiful country. I hope to visit again before I pass from this life.