Notplayn

I have an 89 GTA. It has the two wire hook up for the headlights. When I turn the lights on, the light raises but when turned off it does not go down. Note- I only have one head assembly put together but not installed. Anyway with a test light stuck in one side of the headlight motor connector the test light comes on and stays on. I am assuming the control module may be bad but since I can not get one locally I want to confirm before ordering from TDS. I need to know the basics of how they work. When I turn the lights off the test light goes out. What makes the motor run the light down. Does the polarity reverse or should the other side of the connector get hot to run the motor in reverse?

Dan8289gta

mine used to do the same thing they would go up but not down. Diagnosis bad headlight switch bought a used one for 9 bucks now they work fine.(well except for my motor thats geting weak)

Notplayn

so you are talking about the dash switch?..

Dan8289gta

Yep, the switch itself grounds out the system when you turn the lights off which closes the doors.

crapper_mekanic

First thing I need to know is if you definitely have an electronic control module for the lights, or three relays, one on each fender and one on the rad support? If you have the three relays, with an '89 I am pretty sure that is the first year they used a module to control the lights, but if you need the two "actuator" relays, they are AR255 in the KEM catalog, and the third on the rad support is an "isolation" relay, and is different than the other two because it has a diode in it. It is actually a DC reversing contactor, and is a dealer only item as far as I have found. If there are three actuator relays in the system (*the relays have the same plug) you can wind the headlights up manually, and they will go down automatically when the headlight switch is turned off. Hope this helps, and please pass on the info to anyone with an older system.

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

The relay system crapper_mekanic describes was used with the 3-wire headlight actuators in Firebirds from 1982-86. Starting with the 1987 model year they switched to a much better 2-wire headlight actuator which is controlled by the headlight switch and the headlight control module.

Now back to the problem you're having. Try removing the plugs from the headlight control module and spraying the contacts with contact cleaner. The symptoms you describe can be caused by a bad headlight control module. It can also be caused by corrosion on the plugs and terminals of the same control module. Have you already repaired the headlight motors using the Delrin bushings? The OEM bushings are the weak link in the system and are the first place I'd check and repair.

Lon

Notplayn

I cleaned the plugs and contacts on the control module. still no progress. I dont suppose there is a way to test the module? Like unpluging one side and testing for voltage. I can fell the relay clicking inside the module when I turn the lights on and off.