Headlamp Motor Keeps Running
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Cockeysville Maryland
Headlamp Motor Keeps Running
The other night, when I shut off my headlamps, the right-side headlamp motor kept running. It sounded like Donald Duck on crack. A coworker said it seems like it would be an electrical problem. For the time being, I've got that lamp disconnected until I can remedy the situation. Any ideas? Thank you!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
If it is like mine, what happens is that when it hits the limiter, it causes the motor to use more power to try overcome the obstruction. This gets the controller to a point where it decides that the headlight is at the end of it's travel and shuts off power.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 246
Likes: 6
My 96 does that. When the lights come on, they will nearly rotate full cycle, but just short it will start to glitch. Then when i shut them off, right at the end, they will continue to attempt to cycle 3-5 more times before quiting.
I know there are different lights from year to year. I would be grateful if someone would post links to the exact parts i need to buy, so i can get the right ones.
Thanks, MikieG
I know there are different lights from year to year. I would be grateful if someone would post links to the exact parts i need to buy, so i can get the right ones.
Thanks, MikieG
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
I'm not saying that it is your problem but only thing else is the module. IDK what to tell you. I had water get in and short out the electronics. Someone on the forum fixed it for me using the right MOFSET thing. Another alternative was to get one from a Fiero or was it Firebird.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
The nylon gears have probably lasted for 31 years, and new nylon gears should last another 31 years, so the brass gears shouldn't be needed!
The '88 - '96 headlight motors are a totally different design. Their main problem is worn out "pellets"! The '84 - '87 motors don't have "pellets". Your '86 doesn't have the "module" that aklim is talking about, either.
(p.s. You should always mention the year of your car when you post a question.)
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 169
Likes: 18
From: Milford New Hampshire
It's usually not actually the gears...it's the stop bushings in the middle of the gear
Not sure the above is for you exact car but since mine was a 95 that is what I got... There are some who will tell you to spend the extra cash on the "Bronze Gear" but the gear itself is usually fine it's usually just the the 3 inner stop bushings... In my case, they had reduced themselves to a fine powder like substance.
I figured they lasted for 23 years.... So why not stick with the Nylon gear that I technically did not need to replace... Even the Bronze kit still includes the nylon bushings that are the usual failure point...
Not sure the above is for you exact car but since mine was a 95 that is what I got... There are some who will tell you to spend the extra cash on the "Bronze Gear" but the gear itself is usually fine it's usually just the the 3 inner stop bushings... In my case, they had reduced themselves to a fine powder like substance.
I figured they lasted for 23 years.... So why not stick with the Nylon gear that I technically did not need to replace... Even the Bronze kit still includes the nylon bushings that are the usual failure point...
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
It's usually not actually the gears...it's the stop bushings in the middle of the gear
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Not sure the above is for you exact car but since mine was a 95 that is what I got... There are some who will tell you to spend the extra cash on the "Bronze Gear" but the gear itself is usually fine it's usually just the the 3 inner stop bushings... In my case, they had reduced themselves to a fine powder like substance.
I figured they lasted for 23 years.... So why not stick with the Nylon gear that I technically did not need to replace... Even the Bronze kit still includes the nylon bushings that are the usual failure point...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Not sure the above is for you exact car but since mine was a 95 that is what I got... There are some who will tell you to spend the extra cash on the "Bronze Gear" but the gear itself is usually fine it's usually just the the 3 inner stop bushings... In my case, they had reduced themselves to a fine powder like substance.
I figured they lasted for 23 years.... So why not stick with the Nylon gear that I technically did not need to replace... Even the Bronze kit still includes the nylon bushings that are the usual failure point...
My nylon gears had very fine hairline cracks. Say that I get 5 more years out of them, now what? Will they make it at that time or will I be scrounging around? That is why I chose to buy bronze.