Tonybb

On my 86 coupe, passenger side headlight would not pop up when I purchased the car from GM dealer in 2013. They replaced the motor. Now after approx 3 years , one day driver side won't open (light bulb lights up though). Is it a bad motor or something simple, how do I figure this out ?

Tonybb

I don't mind driving with headlights not popping out, as I drive during the day mainly, but when I turned the headlight on over the weekend,the drive side moved half way and is stuck in that position, doesn't look good to drive like that :-(

hcbph

There is a set of gears in there that could go bad. Especially if it turns part way but doesn't complete the rotation. Does the motor carry on after it quits turning or not? There is a **** IIRC on it that allows you to 'turn' the headlight assembly further, might be worth a test to see if it will turn further, might just be an adjustment.

This is all based on whether it ever worked or not. If it worked correctly at one time, I'd guess either the gears or the limiter is out of adjustment somehow.

Hot Rod Roy

The '84-'87 headlight motors have limit switches inside the motors which can get dirty. This will cause the problems you are seeing. It's not too hard to open up the motors to clean the contacts of these limit switches. While the motor is open, apply some light weight white grease to the bearings of the motor armature.
These limit switches are actuated when the armature shifts up or down in its bearings when the worm gear pushes against the mating pinion gear when the headlight door hits its stops.
There are several posts about doing this repair, and should be available with an advanced "search".
The '88-'94 headlight motors are entirely different.

Stellabarbara

I have looked in the forum for the same issue and don't see one that can help, so here goes.
My 1990 headlights will not open completely. They are winking at the ground. I can hand open them, but then they start winking at the ground again. I hear both motors working when I turn the lights on and off.. Don't know why? Help

puufgone

Stellabarbara, If your 90 is the same as my 88, It has plastic gears inside the motors that have teeth missing. MidAmerica, Ecklers and I'm sure others have brass replacement kits that are pretty easy to install. I did mine probably 15 years ago and they still work great.

David

Tonybb

I manually spun the ****, it takes forever, but worked and now the headlights are closed. I am able to drive it w/o looking odd. I will eventually get the left motor replaced, as there is no sign of life in this. Thanks for the guidance.

Hot Rod Roy

Stellabarbara, by the time you posted this, you should have known that your '90 is much different than the OP's '86. It get's really confusing when two different issues are scrambled together, as the answers won't have anything to do with each other. Please start a new post for your question. Even better, this question has been asked many times, so try the ADVANCED SEARCH if your initial search didn't give you an answer. Click on the C4 filter to focus on your problem.

antfarmer2

Go to auto zone and get part number 74410 from the help section 3 per pack 1 pack needed per side. Then look on youtube for the video to fix. The Rod could have typed less and helped more. Do not use metal gears.