I hate headlight motors
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 325
From: San Antonio Tx
I hate headlight motors
I put new gears in my 86 headlight motor. Lasted almost a week. 
The headlights open and close so fast I don't see how the plastic gears can take it. About a half second to open or close. Is there some kind of adjustment on the switches or anything? Can't find anything in my service manual. And new motors 
must be made of gold or something. Guess I could get a second mortgage and upgrade to the later style motors. OK, I'm done venting now. 
I was up too late last night working on the car. I guess it will pass the safety inspection if I manually open the lights before I go to the inspection station. Any words of advice? Thanks for listening.
The headlights open and close so fast I don't see how the plastic gears can take it. About a half second to open or close. Is there some kind of adjustment on the switches or anything? Can't find anything in my service manual. And new motors must be made of gold or something. Guess I could get a second mortgage and upgrade to the later style motors. OK, I'm done venting now. I was up too late last night working on the car. I guess it will pass the safety inspection if I manually open the lights before I go to the inspection station. Any words of advice? Thanks for listening.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
When you replace the nylon bushings be sure to clean the gears & case and then pack with silicone lube before assembly.
My headlights are also rather quick on the up/down motion but the new nylon bushings are still fine after 5yrs.
Are you sure the new bushings have gone bad (mushy manual control feel)?
My headlights are also rather quick on the up/down motion but the new nylon bushings are still fine after 5yrs.
Are you sure the new bushings have gone bad (mushy manual control feel)?
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 17,640
Likes: 1
From: Lenoir City TN
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
I to just replaced the gears in my headlight motor. Which gear stripped white or black? Sometimes you have to shim certain areas to get everything to mesh together. I have to take one apart know, beacuse I get one-three "clicks" after it opens. Also these motors are very picky about when to shut off and sometimes they keep trying to open the door causing premature failure. Make sure all your contacts are clean before assembling.
Bob
Bob
Pro
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 703
Likes: 2
From: Cypress Texas
Originally Posted by RWDsmoke
Interesting possibilities there. Can you buy just the clear covers to replace the headlight doors?
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 24
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Headlight Conversion (vinnies87)
I am getting slightly off-topic but a question for vinnies87. Where did you get the conversion kits for the headlights? General info would be appreciated. My headlight gears are starting to crap out.
Keith
Keith
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by kmath3
I am getting slightly off-topic but a question for vinnies87. Where did you get the conversion kits for the headlights? General info would be appreciated. My headlight gears are starting to crap out.
Keith
Keith
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 325
From: San Antonio Tx
My thought was if I had the clear covers, there are many possibilities for the headlight style behind the covers. It would be easy to build the under hood part. My neighbor builds custom door panels and speaker stuff out of fiberglass and has taught me much.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 325
From: San Antonio Tx
I don't hate headlight motors anymore. Lesson number one: Don't assume the last person put things together correctly. Lesson number two: Don't panic, just follow the troubleshooting procedure in the service manual. I had to read it several times to understand the sequence of operation, (the isolation relay makes the left side and right side different) but it was easy to follow once I located the relays. 
Worn insulation caused one fusable link to blow. The right headlight motor did not have power to open but still had power to close.
Worn insulation caused one fusable link to blow. The right headlight motor did not have power to open but still had power to close.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by RWDsmoke
Guess I could get a second mortgage and upgrade to the later style motors.
If you do, youll gain less than nothing. I had an 87 for 6 straight years, headlight motors were never touched before i got it, and never touched while i had it. Not one issue. My 94 on the other hand, the right side stops half way, and the left has abit of hesitation at 3/4 on the way up. My mate's 84, the only thing that have never failed and still work faultlessly are his headlight motors!!! Although he had one stuck in the up position due to wire corrosion. I know a few other guys around that have C4s,
another 87:never an issue,
a 90: RH one stopped half way,
a 91: Also RH stopped half way, and the left motor continues long after its open or closed,
a 93: LH one this time stopping half way.
So i cant say i know one single owner here in Australia that hasnt had gear issues with the 88-96 "upgraded" headlights. Stick with your stock 84-87.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by RWDsmoke
The right headlight motor did not have power to open but still had power to close.
Thats what my mate's 84 did too, but had power to open and not close!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by vinnies87
Son, if you have something to say, just go ahead and say it. 
HAHAHA!!!
What right does he have to critisize your choice in headlamp assemblies eh!!!!! 
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: Alma AR
Originally Posted by rayosequis
Out of curiosity, what would you hope to accomplish by putting clear doors on ? The headlights, when retracted, (on my '94) point towards the inside of the car.
