Question About Head-Light Motors
03-20-2005, 09:48 AM
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Car: 1991 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: TBI 5.7L v8
Transmission: Modified T-5
Question About Head-Light Motors
My headlights will do this thing, just every so often... like, it had been a good 2-3 months since it's done it last, and then it did it to me again last night...
I'll hit my headlight switch and my headlights will not pop up. If I leave them sit like that usually 10-15 minutes later they'll both come up...
Each headlight has their own motor, correct? If that's the case, I'm thinking it's probably something electronic that's acting up... I've never had an issues putting the lights down, just up.
What do you guys think?
I'll hit my headlight switch and my headlights will not pop up. If I leave them sit like that usually 10-15 minutes later they'll both come up...
Each headlight has their own motor, correct? If that's the case, I'm thinking it's probably something electronic that's acting up... I've never had an issues putting the lights down, just up.
What do you guys think?
03-20-2005, 11:54 AM
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Car: 89' Firebird / 87' Formula
Engine: 3.4 / 5.0
Transmission: 700-R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 / 3.42
Perhaps it is the switch itself? I heard that the switch goes bad and replacing it would solve most problems
03-20-2005, 12:03 PM
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Car: 1991 Pontiac Firebird
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Transmission: Modified T-5
Hmm I'll have to keep that in mind. I'm picking up a dash today, so maybe I'll try switching them out and see if that doesn't solve the problem...
That'd be sweet if that's all that was required!
That'd be sweet if that's all that was required!
03-20-2005, 02:05 PM
#4
Answer about your 1987-92 Firebird headlight motor: First off, 1982-86 Firebird use a 3 wire motor that isn't compatible with yours. The repair method for them is also different.
The 1987-92 Firebird headlight motor is easily distinguished from the older style by the two wires (green and gray) and a smaller **** on top.
I doubt if your problem is with the switch. Does your motor spin, yet the headlight door fails to raise? If so, then you don't NEED to replace the headlight actuation motor. The problem can easily be cured using the TDS p/n 207280 headlight repair kit or the TDS p/n 209280 Deluxe Headlight Repair Kit. Here's what has happened: There are 3 solid gel bushings inside the large nylon gear that is driven by the worm-drive of the motor. These bushings transfer the load from the gear to a 3-lobe cast hub that is part of the actuator shaft. These inserts harden and crumble with age, breaking down to roughly a spoonful of crumbs. At this point the gear will no longer turn the hub to raise and lower the headlight assembly. Instead hub will just free wheel on the gear. Replace the bushings with the solid Delrin bushings from my kits and your headlight motors will work better than new.
Lon Salgren
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The 1987-92 Firebird headlight motor is easily distinguished from the older style by the two wires (green and gray) and a smaller **** on top.
I doubt if your problem is with the switch. Does your motor spin, yet the headlight door fails to raise? If so, then you don't NEED to replace the headlight actuation motor. The problem can easily be cured using the TDS p/n 207280 headlight repair kit or the TDS p/n 209280 Deluxe Headlight Repair Kit. Here's what has happened: There are 3 solid gel bushings inside the large nylon gear that is driven by the worm-drive of the motor. These bushings transfer the load from the gear to a 3-lobe cast hub that is part of the actuator shaft. These inserts harden and crumble with age, breaking down to roughly a spoonful of crumbs. At this point the gear will no longer turn the hub to raise and lower the headlight assembly. Instead hub will just free wheel on the gear. Replace the bushings with the solid Delrin bushings from my kits and your headlight motors will work better than new.
Lon Salgren
Top-Down Solutions
03-20-2005, 03:05 PM
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Car: 86 Trans Am, 88 Formula
Engine: 95LT4, 305TPI
Transmission: T56, T5
If you push the switch and the motors don't turn, it may be the switch, like 1989karr said, or it could be that module thing on the firewall.
I had a problem with a new switch on my 86, basically if I push the switch all the way on, my lights wouldn't come up, but if I lightly pressed the switch, the lights would activate and come up and then I would just press the switch in all the way to keep them up.
I had a problem with a new switch on my 86, basically if I push the switch all the way on, my lights wouldn't come up, but if I lightly pressed the switch, the lights would activate and come up and then I would just press the switch in all the way to keep them up.
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