Diagnosing Headlight Problems
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA 22032
Diagnosing Headlight Problems
I need some advice on how to diagnose the cause of a headlight problem I am having. On my 84, the drivers side headlight will not open. It was fine on Saturday, then Sunday wouldn't open. I found this kind of wierd since the only light that has given me trouble (usually after it rains) is the passenger side, which I have discovered that if I open the hood and close it the light then flips over. Anyway, from looking thru archived threads, it looks like possible causes could be worn out bushings in the motor, worn out gears in the motor, the solid state control module, or a relay of some sort. If anyone could give me advice on what and how to check these things, in language my grandmother could understand, I would be grateful. Thanks!
[Modified by Torqued84, 3:10 PM 8/27/2001]
[Modified by Torqued84, 3:10 PM 8/27/2001]
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Diagnosing Headlight Problems (Torqued84)
Try to move the headlight with the manual ****. If one side has much more play than the other, it's the bushings.
If you decide to check out the motor control module don't unplug it without first disconnectiing battery power. Otherwise it can cause failure of the module.
If you decide to check out the motor control module don't unplug it without first disconnectiing battery power. Otherwise it can cause failure of the module.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA 22032
Re: Diagnosing Headlight Problems (Torqued84)
Thanks for the tip on disconnecting battery before checking modules. Wouldn't have thought to do that. I'm still kind of waiting to get some more advice before I go out and open the hood in the neighborhood parking lot, I want to at least look like I know what I am doing.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL, USA
Re: Diagnosing Headlight Problems (Torqued84)
i had this problem with mine, the drivers light would work sometimes and sometimes it would not. When it didnt work, i had to open the hood and turn the manual **** a little, and it would slowly open with a little help. I took it apart and it turned out to be a bad set of brushes for the dc motor that rotates the headlight. It was a real pain, but i took a good headlight that a friend of mine had, took that apart along with mine, and unsoldered the brushes from the little plate inside where the wires go to, and resoldered them onto mine, then i cleaned the commutator up on a lathe, because it was very worn....well, most of that stuff my dad did for me. It could also be the gears but if it works sometimes its probably the motor...take it apart and check the brushes, unless you want to spend a lot of money and buy the conversion from ecklers or mid america... :rolleyes:
