grumpy73

You purist may throw me out for asking this but: When I got the 73, the previous owner, had converted the headlights to electric. They worked at first with the right one being sporadic. Now the control mod just clicks about every 10 seconds and no movement. Is there any way I can test to determine if the mod is bad? From what I can tell the conversion came from mid 90s Trans-am.

mikem350

I think those motors are same on Pontiac Fierros too, try searching a Pontiac forum?

7T1vette

Hmmm... Perhaps that's why the Chevy Engineers decided to dump the electric C2 headlamp system for the less expensive & more reliable vacuum operated system.

Rotonda

And maybe that is why a recurring theme on the C3 Forum is malfunctioning headlights.

In the GM of yesterday stuff was supposed to work for the first 12,000 miles so no warranty repairs. Then you were supposed to buy a new one. As a demonstration of GM's "engineering to a low cost" I will simply point out the Vega as an example, with both the engine block and body rust problems.

It took the Germans and Japanese to finally teach GM (and Detroit) that durability and quality was more than sticking another chrome strip on the new model.

I used Miata motors to work my headlights and they continue to work perfectly, without maintenance.

Rescue Rogers

I like the crudeness of the vacuum system, its design and the hiss and thunk of them working, but would prefer the reliability of electric. I just had to go through my system because the 2 year old light switch lost its vacuum seal. crappy chinese repops. I hope this lectric limited one is higher quality.

jb78L-82

I guess my 78's are mutants...totally stock, 40 years old in Oct 2017, never been touched since new except changing the 4 headlights to Hella Euro Haolgens, same hoses, same electric dashboard switch, same everything, 100% original, and work PERFECTLY AND COUNTING.......AND I beat the 12,000 mile warranty...coming on 70,000 miles.

There are lots of things to improve on the C3, but I would not count electric headlights necessarily an improvement..........................

fede

Hmmm... could you explain which part(s) you used and the mods needed? I had to buy Wagner's H5006 and H5001 from summit for my car as I couldn't figure any bulb available in Europe for it.

Richard454

Try to manually raise the headlights by turning the ****. They should turn smooth and easy.

If not- it's more than likely a bad motor- bearings- brushes- water damage.

And if the motor was tough to turn- it might have torched the module as well-see below.

If they turn smoothly- might just be the module.

Fiero and Firebird modules will work- however the later ones are better (see below- green board)

A lot of us have used later technology-as the Firebird was controlled by current sensing. The newer(93-97) Ford Probe and Mazda Miata motors- have switching and control all internally- no extra modules. These things are bulletproof.











Hmmmmm- I think Rube Goldberg was working for Chevy at that time... Chevy engineers dumped the vacuum for the C4 and C5...



Count your blessings....

I love my electrics- they are constant and FAST.

Big2Bird

ThAt's funny. After GM fired Rube Goldburg, they went back to electric, and now I don't think they use vacuum for anything.

Rescue Rogers

How difficult is it to make brackets for the Ford or miata motors. ?

Richard454

No problem at all-

I originally made mine out of a galvanized Simpson post brackets!!!

Shoot me an email- richard454 at comcast dot net

And I'll send you a PDF on how to do it.

Richard

Bikespace

To be fair, that is no ordinary car, but one of the finest restomods on this forum. I don't think GM ever envisioned a vacuum solution to the backup lights that worked like this: