Porsche External Lighting
Dashboard Warning Messages Explained
Meanings and Recommended Actions for Porsche
External Lighting Dashboard Warning Messages
Understanding Porsche External Vehicle Lighting or Bulb Out Dashboard Warning Messages
If you see a message or warning light, such as a check headlights, on your Porsche dashboard it’s important to take the appropriate action. This section covers what to do when messages associated with the external lights appear on your Porsche dashboard.
Common Porsche Vehicle Lighting Warning Messages
External lighting is about safety and visibility to other drivers. Repairs associated with lighting can be inexpensive if you have the older assemblies with bulbs. The newer LED lights are significantly more expensive to repair, as they typically require replacement of the complete assembly. If you have an external lighting warning message do not ignore it. Check our guide below to see how to react and what to do next.
Porsche External Vehicle Lighting Warning Messages
Check Left/Right Daytime Running Light
This message suggests a failure in the daytime running light on the front of the car. Check to see if the light is illuminated with the car running. Daytime running lights should be working if you have them fitted.
Here’s what to do – typically these daytime running lights are LED based and no bulb replacement is possible. It makes sense to check the wiring and connections before replacing. There are aftermarket options available at lower costs to consider during the replacement. Check your options with a Porsche specialist.
Check Static Cornering Light
This message indicates that the light designed to assist with cornering in the headlight assembly is not working. With the headlights on, you should be able to identify the difference between one side the other.
Here’s what to do – The static cornering light is normally a small bulb in the main headlight assembly. It’s often overlooked and commonly needs replacing. The bulb itself is low cost, but you will need to remove the headlight assembly to get to it.
Seek the help of a Porsche specialist.
Dynamic Cornering Light Defective
Later Porsche cars are fitted with cornering lights within the headlight assembly that move with the steering direction. This message indicates that at least one of the lights is not working correctly.
Here’s what to do – This could be as simple as a bulb replacement. However, it could also be related to the sensor that identifies the steering position or the motor that controls the position of the cornering light. We recommend you see the assistance of a Porsche specialist to identify the exact cause.
Fault Headlight Control
The beam height of the front headlights is adjusted by the car automatically based on ride height. This message suggests the system that controls that is not working correctly.
Here’s what to do – there are a number of potential candidates that could be causing this message ranging from a ride height sensor to a faulty headlight assembly or wiring issue. This can be dangerous if the lights are set in too high or too low a position. Seek the help of a Porsche specialist as soon as possible.
Check Front Right Side Light
This message is typically seen on older vehicles and indicates that one of the front side lights is not illuminating. The good news is this is usually a simple bulb replacement.
Here’s what to do – check to make sure the message regarding which side is correct. If it isn’t, there could be a wire corrosion issue. If the message is correct, the bulb in the assembly will need to be replaced. This usually involves removing the headlight assembly from the car.
A Porsche specialist can get this done for very quickly.
Headlight Beam Adjustment Faulty
The head light beam adjustment message suggests the system that automatically controls headlight position is not working correctly. The headlights are positioned based on ride height even if you have a standard suspension car with no ride height adjustment.
Here’s what to do – there are a number of potential candidates that could be causing this message. Typically this is a ride height sensor fault. This condition can be dangerous if the headlights are set in too high or too low a position. Seek the help of a Porsche specialist as soon as possible.
Check High-Level Brake Light
This message refers to a failure in the third or high level brake light at the rear of the car. This is typically a single LED assembly and no bulbs can be replaced.
Here’s what to do – The high level brake light at the rear of the car is a key safety feature, so it’s important to address this issue quickly. Replacement of the assembly is normally required, although it is important to inspect the wiring on 911’s for example. Often the wires break as they pass through the joint on the engine cover and replacing the brake light assembly does not always initially solve the problem.
Tail Light Defective
This message indicates that one of the rear tail light assemblies is not working. It does not specify individual lights within the assembly.
Here’s what to do – This fault suggests that the tail light assembly has completely failed. The likely solution is to replace the assembly, however, it’s worth thoroughly testing the wiring and the connectors for water damage before getting a replacement. The easiest check is by connecting the known good tail light to the side indicating the failure first. A Porsche specialist can do this for you quickly.
Comparing Porsche External Lighting Dashboard Warning Messages
There are many more messages and warning lights that can appear for external lighting faults on your Porsche. In the older Porsche likely no message will be displayed and just a light or symbol – see our page dedicated to explaining Porsche dashboard warning lights and symbols.
Contact us or one of our recommended Porsche specialists to help you further.
