Elthesh

This one has me stumped... Randomly, and sometimes not for many months at a time, 1 or both of the headlights will not go up or down. I've replaced the module on the firewall, opened the motors up and replaced those parts(which had already been done, but cheaply with bolt nuts instead of something more professional like the TDS kit. Yet, the problem persists. The light will turn on, but the motor isn't moving the light up or down depending on its mood. Also, depending on the position it has locked itself in, usually if I manually raise or lower the light it WILL work by the switch going in the opposite direction. So if it locked up and I manually move it back down, turning the switch will open it again, but still won't lower it. and vice versa if it was locked in the down position.

Now remember, this is VERY random and hasn't happened in about a month and many months before that, etc. It does seem to happen more with the drivers side than the passenger side, although the passenger side motor I replaced with a junkyard one to test(with new internal bushings and all that).
Could the motors themselves be partially bad? Wiring? Some relay I don't know about? It can't be the switch in the car since it turns them on and off, can it? A water/condensation issue?

Also, sometimes if you flip the switch a number of times it will kick the motor in the *** and it will work normally. Then the next day its like nothing was ever wrong and it works like a charm for months.

Just to recap, I've replaced one of the motors(The replacement motor DID have the bushings to dust issue which I cleaned up and repaired), replaced the headlight module on the firewall and replaced the internals in each motor which weren't broken to begin with but at least are now professionally done and don't look like a hack job.

eagle_eyes

iTrader: (3)

my car does the same thing. i haven't got around to fixing it, but i think it's the wiring. when i was messing around the fuse panel once, i found an area where a bracket had rubbed on some wires, cutting them slightly. i think that is where mine is at...because i can kick around the fuse panel and my lights will work normally.

Elthesh

Hmm, that definately could be the issue. I know whenever it rains, my ancient and mostly useless Viper alarm refuses to work. Won't open the locks or do anything(other than the fact that the alarm portion doesn't work at ALL anymore). I've been planning to find a shop that will completely remove the old alarm(NO hackjobs, leaving wires, sensors, junk, etc), repair the damage done and then install a NEW alarm properly as this one looks like it was installed at a shop, but probably by untrained monkeys.

As for if it's a wiring problem, could very well be.

rhomanski

clean both of the headlight grounds and see if that helps.

phtech

try the tap test. the headlight motors are just like a starter motor. sometimes the armature gets attracted to the windings and sticks.

TIMMYS89GTA

iTrader: (28)

FUNNY,I TO AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.I HAVE PURCHASED THE HEADLIGHT MOTOR REPAIR KIT FROM TDS,BUT HAVEN'T INSTALLED IT YET.I HAVE 4 MODULES,AND HEADLIGHTS DO THE SAME THING NO MATTER WHICH OF THE MODULES ARE PLUGGED IN.SO,I'LL LET YOU KNOW IF I FIND THE ANSWER,OR VICE VERSA PLEASE

TIMMYS89GTA

iTrader: (28)

HEY,JUST COMPLETED MY REPAIR TODAY STARTED LAST NIGHTW/THE DRIVERS SIDE,FINISHED RIGHT AT SUNSET.TRIED IT OUT, &SAME THING.PASS. SIDE TRIES TO COME UP ON EITHER PARK OR HEADLIGHT SIDE OF SWITCH,&DRIVERS SIDE NOTHING.DID PASS. SIDE TODAY GOT EVERYTHING BACK TOGETHER&STILL NOTHING SWAPPED OUT MODULE A FEW TIMES &FINALLY THEY WORKED.TURNED THEM&CAME UP OFF STAYED UP.WHAT?TAPPED ON THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH THEY WENT DOWN.SO I REPLACED THE SWITCH W/A SPARE I HAD AND THEY BOTH WORK BEAUTIFULLY.SO,KEEP IN MIND THE SWITCH ON FIREBIRDS FOR ALL OF YOU HAVING HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS,&THANKS LON@TDS FOR A GREAT PRODUCT,TIM

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

Be aware that the headlight control module for a 1989 was used for only 3 model years (1987-89). Some of the modules you have may be from a 1990 and newer and would not work on your car.

Lon