Headlight Motor
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Headlight Motor
I took out my headlight motor on the drivers side because it wouldnt allow to shut. So i took it apart and found that the gears were not broken. Everything seems to look fine. Any idea on what could be the problem ? I want to avoid having to buy a rebuilt for 150 dollars.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Headlight Motor (87vette)
Apply 12 volts to the motor and see if it will run in both directions. If it does, then your problem is one or more of the 3 relays that open and close the headlight door.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Re: Headlight Motor (scorp508)
Apply volts ? How would I even begin to do something like that? with a battery charger ? It stays open the whole time and will not shut when the car is turned off. I used to be able to hear it try and shut but it didnt seem to have enough power to do so. Now it doesnt make any sounds at all.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Re: Headlight Motor (scorp508)
So if there seems to be a problem with the three relays.. .then I can buy the three relays seperate and install it on the headlight motor i already have ? Or would that mean I would have to get a whole new motor ?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Headlight Motor (87vette)
Yes you can buy the 3 relays from GM.If that doesnt fix the problem, I would suggest you check the inside of the motor again.I had the same exact problem and it turned out to be the magnets inside the electrical shaped cylinder was busted up and cracked apart.
My gears were fine and the motor would run one way and not the other.
Sometimes the magnets inside break loose from the cylinder shaped housing and can be reglued back in place.There are two Halves to this magnet housing.One side allows it to spin up and the other down.
Good Luck and keep us posted what you find.Hope its as easy as changing the relays.
:)
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Re: Headlight Motor (Bill's86Coupe)
I do know that the cyclinder shaped housing with the red wires or coil inside was a lil rusted on top. Do you think it got fried due to moisture or something of the sort ? If so then what ?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,381
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Re: Headlight Motor (87vette)
I do know that the cyclinder shaped housing with the red wires or coil inside was a lil rusted on top. Do you think it got fried due to moisture or something of the sort ? If so then what ?
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Re: Headlight Motor (scorp508)
Well I took her apart again and i noticed there seemed to be a bulb like fuse. There seems to have dry moisture in it. I'm not sure if this is the cause of why my headlight motor is not working anymore. I cannot tell if its been burnt out or not because there seems to be a yellow filmsy coating inside the glass walls. What is this particular piece anyways ?
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Re: Headlight Motor (87vette)
I played around with one of my headlight motors for about a year! Good idea about replacing relays for headlight motor. They are located in front of your driverside tire and the fender wall. (in that area) The are only about 20 - 30 dollars, cheaper than 150 dollar new motor! But I replaced headlight motor and all three relays and for once the headlight motor problem is a thing of the past! :cheers:
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Re: Headlight Motor (Redvetter00)
But the question I am asking is... Is this lil bulb like feature a fuse of some sort ? Or is this a relay? I'm still confused. If so then this particular part is 30 to 40 dollars ? Im referring to the " bulb like " fuse inside the motor itself.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 959
Likes: 1
From: Plano, Texas
Re: Headlight Motor (87vette)
I had the same problem with my '91. The lights functioned properly, regular and bright lamps, they just wouldn't retract. It may be stupid, but I cut the two wires leading to the headlight motor, and applied power directly from the battery with two spare pieces of wire. The headlight motor functioned, which lead to the - get this - "headlight motor actuator relay module" (module being the operative word here). The "module" was bad - replacement cost at the Chevy dealer $128. Replaced the module, and all was well. By the way, while you have access to the motor, you may want to go ahead and replace the motor bushings. Very inexpensive - $5 per motor, $10 total. I didn't run into the "fuse-like" thingie you mention.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Re: Headlight Motor (StephensblackL98)
Well the bulb like thingy inside my headlight motor is probably for an 87 vette. But since you have a 91.. it may be slightly different. It'd be nice to know if they are different. If anyone out there reads this and actually knows.. pls reply to this msg. Thanks.
