Flippin headlight
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Patterson California
Flippin headlight
Well, go ahead and call me an idiot!!!!!
I turned off my headlights and the left headlight didn't go down. I tried turning them on and off a couple of times and it still didn't go down. So...... I decided to just push it a little and............... now it flips up, but doesn't lock in place and the motor goes.... rattle,rattle,rattle,rattle,rattle,rattl e,rattle,rattle,rattle,rattle,rattle,rat tle,rattle!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, am I screwed, need to get a new one or hope there's one at a junk year, or...... does anyone have a magic wand fix they know about,,, a little pixie dust would be great! Wasn't there a recall on these?
I turned off my headlights and the left headlight didn't go down. I tried turning them on and off a couple of times and it still didn't go down. So...... I decided to just push it a little and............... now it flips up, but doesn't lock in place and the motor goes.... rattle,rattle,rattle,rattle,rattle,rattl e,rattle,rattle,rattle,rattle,rattle,rat tle,rattle!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, am I screwed, need to get a new one or hope there's one at a junk year, or...... does anyone have a magic wand fix they know about,,, a little pixie dust would be great! Wasn't there a recall on these?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,392
Likes: 218
From: Merritt Island, FL
you either have worn out bushings or stripped gears in the motor.
No recall, you're on your own. New bushings are only a few bucks, and new gears are available too. Not a very difficult job, but a bit time consuming the first time you do it.
No recall, you're on your own. New bushings are only a few bucks, and new gears are available too. Not a very difficult job, but a bit time consuming the first time you do it.
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 148
Likes: 1
There is no magic fix.
I'd unplug the headlight motor connector (grey plug) until fixed to avoid a possible battery drain.
You don't mention the year of your car. Assuming it is an 84, it is more than likely the white gear is stripped out inside the motor itself. This gear rides the steel worm gear of the motor. There is another black gear but I doubt it will need replacement.
$25 for the gear and few hours of your time will make it good as new.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
By your sig I assume it's an '84. In that case you need one of these:
I don't remember where I got it. Eckler's or more probably Mid-America.
I keep this one as a spare since I've gone through two on the left side. The right side is still the original. They also make a bronze version which will never strip. I may go that way next time.
I don't remember where I got it. Eckler's or more probably Mid-America.
I keep this one as a spare since I've gone through two on the left side. The right side is still the original. They also make a bronze version which will never strip. I may go that way next time.
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