Headlight do not raise
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 190
Likes: 7
From: Placerville CA
Headlight do not raise
Hi,
Can anyone help?
My lights all come on but neither side flip up. Is there any tests I can run or is there any fuses which could be out? I am getting current to the switch on the dash and out again.
Thanks in advance.
Can anyone help?
My lights all come on but neither side flip up. Is there any tests I can run or is there any fuses which could be out? I am getting current to the switch on the dash and out again.
Thanks in advance.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
Greetings,
Obvious questions first:
1) Did they work before?
2) Did you use the headlamp up/down switch to open the doors?
3) You ARE aware the headlights only come on/off with the traditional headlamp switch on the dash, right?
4) If 1=yes, then open the hood and manually open the headlignts a little with the small ***** on the motor, then try the switch again
Jeff
Obvious questions first:
1) Did they work before?
2) Did you use the headlamp up/down switch to open the doors?
3) You ARE aware the headlights only come on/off with the traditional headlamp switch on the dash, right?
4) If 1=yes, then open the hood and manually open the headlignts a little with the small ***** on the motor, then try the switch again
Jeff
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,343
Likes: 2,717
From: Close to DC
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
Dennis
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 190
Likes: 7
From: Placerville CA
Headlight do not raise
Update on my lights.
It has worked without any issues.
I checked wiring and it seems fine, nothing loose.
Raised the lights with the knurled wheel and lowered them with the switch, but they will not go back up on the switch??????
Thanks for the help so far but need more!!!!
Stephen
It has worked without any issues.
I checked wiring and it seems fine, nothing loose.
Raised the lights with the knurled wheel and lowered them with the switch, but they will not go back up on the switch??????
Thanks for the help so far but need more!!!!
Stephen
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 381
From: Strongsville, OH
2016 C2 of the Year Finalist
Update on my lights.
It has worked without any issues.
I checked wiring and it seems fine, nothing loose.
Raised the lights with the knurled wheel and lowered them with the switch, but they will not go back up on the switch??????
Thanks for the help so far but need more!!!!
Stephen
It has worked without any issues.
I checked wiring and it seems fine, nothing loose.
Raised the lights with the knurled wheel and lowered them with the switch, but they will not go back up on the switch??????
Thanks for the help so far but need more!!!!
Stephen
Remove the wire connector at the motor and check the voltage to that point. One terminal in the connector should show voltage when the dash switch is pushed up and the other terminal shows voltage when the dash switch is pushed down. Put the volt meter positive probe in the connector and ground the negative probe of the meter while a helper pushes the dash switch up and down.
Dave
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
From: New York
67 -Headlight Lens Close / Don't Open
Having same issue with my 67. After manually opening, lens will close with dash switch, but will not open. Tried volt meter, motors getting power. Another issue which probably is related, dimmer floor switch when engaged turns off the lights instead of activating the hi beam's.
Have wiring diagram and traced looking for faulty ground..still no luck. Any help would be appreciated!!
Have wiring diagram and traced looking for faulty ground..still no luck. Any help would be appreciated!!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,265
Likes: 2,131
From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Have you checked that you're getting voltage to the motors?
Remove the wire connector at the motor and check the voltage to that point. One terminal in the connector should show voltage when the dash switch is pushed up and the other terminal shows voltage when the dash switch is pushed down. Put the volt meter positive probe in the connector and ground the negative probe of the meter while a helper pushes the dash switch up and down. Dave
Remove the wire connector at the motor and check the voltage to that point. One terminal in the connector should show voltage when the dash switch is pushed up and the other terminal shows voltage when the dash switch is pushed down. Put the volt meter positive probe in the connector and ground the negative probe of the meter while a helper pushes the dash switch up and down.
Dave
Power for headlight up and down come thru the bulkhead firewall connector blocks. Check these to make sure they have not pulled (slightly) apart. This is a common issue. The headlight roll switch may also have corroded contacts, or the circuit breaker that supplies power to this switch could also be a problem. This circuit breaker is located on the driver side footwell near the foot dimmer switch and air vent grill.
My $$ is on the firewall connector.
Larry
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Brett Foote
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,169
Likes: 4,172
From: Kannapolis NC
Having same issue with my 67. After manually opening, lens will close with dash switch, but will not open. Tried volt meter, motors getting power. Another issue which probably is related, dimmer floor switch when engaged turns off the lights instead of activating the hi beam's.
Have wiring diagram and traced looking for faulty ground..still no luck. Any help would be appreciated!!
Have wiring diagram and traced looking for faulty ground..still no luck. Any help would be appreciated!!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
It takes more power to raise something than to lower it because gravity isn't helping.
You have low amperage to the motors, corrosion or loose connectors somewhere, there is excessive friction in the headlight bucket rotational parts, or, the lube in your headlight motors has turned to Dial soap and the effort to raise the buckets is overwhelming the motors now.
Also a galled main gear in the motor drive section could be working against you - the last two items are VERY common problem and easily fixed.
You have low amperage to the motors, corrosion or loose connectors somewhere, there is excessive friction in the headlight bucket rotational parts, or, the lube in your headlight motors has turned to Dial soap and the effort to raise the buckets is overwhelming the motors now.
Also a galled main gear in the motor drive section could be working against you - the last two items are VERY common problem and easily fixed.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 104
Likes: 26
From: Rockford, Il
Headlight buckets not working
You may have same problem I had. My buckets on my 64 would go up but would'nt go down. Had other things to work on so when I got home at night, I would use the wheels to close them back down. A few days later I found a little spring clip on the carpet under the headlight switch. What happened was the switch was comming apart. One side of the switch plastic clips had came apart and the one spring tension spring for the close position was comming out and finally fell out. I thought there goes another $100.00, but got the switch completly apart and put the spring rocker clip back in and for peace of mind, wrapped it with a round or two of black electrical tape around the outside two snap conectors and it has been fine for a year now. My car is a driver, so as long as it works good thats all I need. Would have to really look under the dash to even begin to see the fix and then hard to see since the switch is black to begin with. May or may not be the problem with your buckets. Good luck, life is good when can figure out how to fix it yourself !!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
From: New York
Still puzzled.. last night tried the following:
- Tested and getting power from headlight switch to lens. After manual open, lens close evenly and smoothly. Motors working, no unusual sound or grinding of gear, appears no excessive friction on bucket parts.
- Apply additional lube to the headlight motor pivot *****.
- Bulkhead firewall connector blocks fine with no loose wires or corrosion.
- No corrosion or loose wires on headlight roll switch.
- 40 Amp Circuit breaker under dash tested fine.
Grasping for any other ideas and noticed when activating headlight motor switch to raise lens, interior lights will slightly dim..doesn't seem unusual.Floor mounted hi-beam dimmer switch currently turns off both headlights instead of activating hi-beams..replacement part should be tomorrow and don't think its related based on comment from this forum...the mystery continues..appreciate any other advise..
- Tested and getting power from headlight switch to lens. After manual open, lens close evenly and smoothly. Motors working, no unusual sound or grinding of gear, appears no excessive friction on bucket parts.
- Apply additional lube to the headlight motor pivot *****.
- Bulkhead firewall connector blocks fine with no loose wires or corrosion.
- No corrosion or loose wires on headlight roll switch.
- 40 Amp Circuit breaker under dash tested fine.
Grasping for any other ideas and noticed when activating headlight motor switch to raise lens, interior lights will slightly dim..doesn't seem unusual.Floor mounted hi-beam dimmer switch currently turns off both headlights instead of activating hi-beams..replacement part should be tomorrow and don't think its related based on comment from this forum...the mystery continues..appreciate any other advise..
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
My "guesses":
A) The dimmer switch is your headlight problem.
B) You have worn big gears in your headlight motors and when you hold the switch on too long too close both of them, the gears will bind and overpower the motor. If you can turn the thumbwheel a few turns and then the lights raise, that would kind of confirm this. It's not clear to me if your buckets will raise at all on the switch. Please clarify.
A) The dimmer switch is your headlight problem.
B) You have worn big gears in your headlight motors and when you hold the switch on too long too close both of them, the gears will bind and overpower the motor. If you can turn the thumbwheel a few turns and then the lights raise, that would kind of confirm this. It's not clear to me if your buckets will raise at all on the switch. Please clarify.
Last edited by MikeM; May 13, 2014 at 10:40 AM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
From: New York
My "guesses":
A) The dimmer switch is your headlight problem.
B) You have worn big gears in your headlight motors and when you hold the switch on too long too close both of them, the gears will bind and overpower the motor. If you can turn the thumbwheel a few turns and then the lights raise, that would kind of confirm this. It's not clear to me if your buckets will raise at all on the switch. Please clarify.
A) The dimmer switch is your headlight problem.
B) You have worn big gears in your headlight motors and when you hold the switch on too long too close both of them, the gears will bind and overpower the motor. If you can turn the thumbwheel a few turns and then the lights raise, that would kind of confirm this. It's not clear to me if your buckets will raise at all on the switch. Please clarify.
Buckets won't raise at all on the switch, but they shut smoothly with no issue after I manually open.
Agree dimmer switch is not related..
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,169
Likes: 4,172
From: Kannapolis NC
OP was last year. That's why I try to get everyone to open their own thread, just as you did. It gets so confusing trying to answer problems that have already been resolved when a "similar" problem is added on.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
But, that's also a good reason for the persons asking for answer to give followup on everyone's diagnosis of the problem.
