headlight assembly swaps
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
headlight assembly swaps
Hello.
I have an 86 corvette and am starting to have a problem with one headlight not opening, but when using the manual open **** and then hit the lights the door shuts fast.
will shut but not open.
is this a relay issue or with the motor.
second part of this is i bought some complete headlight assemblies from a 84 corvette and the motor has only two wires instead of the three wires on my 86.
can i get these to work on my 86 .
what years are compatable to swap for the headlight assemblies.
i saw some on the 90's model year i think have one five wire plug for the headlight & motor together.
I have an 86 corvette and am starting to have a problem with one headlight not opening, but when using the manual open **** and then hit the lights the door shuts fast.
will shut but not open.
is this a relay issue or with the motor.
second part of this is i bought some complete headlight assemblies from a 84 corvette and the motor has only two wires instead of the three wires on my 86.
can i get these to work on my 86 .
what years are compatable to swap for the headlight assemblies.
i saw some on the 90's model year i think have one five wire plug for the headlight & motor together.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 11,889
Likes: 8
From: Whitefish Falls Ontario
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
If the 84 only has 2wire motors it sounds like it was converted to a later style motor.. 84-87 motors were the same.. There is a kit you can get to convert the newer to the older, Mid America was one but they are out of stock.. Here is a link with an instruction manual on their site..
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...n-kit-601687-1
If you click on the installation instruction section you can download the pdf file.
Was there not a kit included when you bought the assemblies?
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...n-kit-601687-1
If you click on the installation instruction section you can download the pdf file.
Was there not a kit included when you bought the assemblies?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
If the 84 only has 2wire motors it sounds like it was converted to a later style motor.. 84-87 motors were the same.. There is a kit you can get to convert the newer to the older, Mid America was one but they are out of stock.. Here is a link with an instruction manual on their site..
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...n-kit-601687-1
If you click on the installation instruction section you can download the pdf file.
Was there not a kit included when you bought the assemblies?
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...n-kit-601687-1
If you click on the installation instruction section you can download the pdf file.
Was there not a kit included when you bought the assemblies?
thanks for the link and the information.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 3
From: Conowingo Maryland
to me the best option is to get 88 thru 90 motors and by the upgrade kit from a vendor on here. This way you do away with all the relays. and a lot of problems it semplifies the whole operation
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 47
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headlamp motor upgrade kit instructions.
is there any way to get ahold of the instructions for this kit.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 12
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
If one bucket works properly and the other doesn't, you might have a bad motor or the wires at the connector at that motor may have gotten corroded or have broken.
When the harness connectors were assembled, a heavy black sealant was used to keep water out. This sealant will have gotten real hard over the years and movement of the connector may have caused corrosion or the wire has come loose from the brass contact inside the connector.
Because the early headlamp relay system uses an isolation relay to change current polarity, it's possible that the motor that's not working isn't getting any power to raise the headlamp bucket. Because it goes down, the motor itself is working. I would suggest checking the connectors and cleaning everything before buying a motor that may not be needed.
When the harness connectors were assembled, a heavy black sealant was used to keep water out. This sealant will have gotten real hard over the years and movement of the connector may have caused corrosion or the wire has come loose from the brass contact inside the connector.
Because the early headlamp relay system uses an isolation relay to change current polarity, it's possible that the motor that's not working isn't getting any power to raise the headlamp bucket. Because it goes down, the motor itself is working. I would suggest checking the connectors and cleaning everything before buying a motor that may not be needed.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 47
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no complete instructions
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 11,889
Likes: 8
From: Whitefish Falls Ontario
St. Jude Donor '08-'09