Headlight open/close problems
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Paint Hill NC
Headlight open/close problems
One of the headlights on my 88 does not work all the time. Mostly it will not close. If I turn the **** on the motor to get it started then hit the switch again it works. Sometimes it hangs half open or closed, rarely it will not open.
I know somebody can nail this problem for me..
Also I can't seem to find motor/linkage disassembly procedures in the factory manual. Am I overlooking them or are they not there?
Harold
I know somebody can nail this problem for me..
Also I can't seem to find motor/linkage disassembly procedures in the factory manual. Am I overlooking them or are they not there?
Harold
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From: Almost all Skyline Cruises Vettes at Waterside 1-5
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Re: Headlight open/close problems (TPFKATK)
Generally, not always, this problem is the delrin bushings in the drive gear
There are a number of really good posts in Tech Tips on this problem
:steering:
[Modified by jackdaroofer, 2:12 PM 5/14/2003]
There are a number of really good posts in Tech Tips on this problem
:steering:
[Modified by jackdaroofer, 2:12 PM 5/14/2003]
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Yukon OK
Re: Headlight open/close problems (TPFKATK)
Could be the brushes in the motor if you have to turn it to get it started. Open the motor. Clean the contacts and brushes and make sure the brushes have a slight pressure on the armature. If there is not enough pressure the brushes arc too much and get the copper fouled and then they just quit.
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Re: Headlight open/close problems (LaVidaLoca)
Could be the brushes in the motor if you have to turn it to get it started. Open the motor. Clean the contacts and brushes and make sure the brushes have a slight pressure on the armature. If there is not enough pressure the brushes arc too much and get the copper fouled and then they just quit.
I would still start with the three bushings. The dust from the bushings could be screwing things up...they are cheap and you probably need them anyway! :D
As I said, check Tech Tips section
:seeya
:steering:
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Re: Headlight open/close problems (TPFKATK)
Listen to Jack.
You need to pull the headlight motor anyway. Find the tech tips and follow them.
Once you have it open you will find the 3 bushings are dust. Clean out all the dust, lube up the worm gear, put in 3 new bushings. Put it back together and test it. Do this to both motors at the sime time! I didn't an a short time after fixing the driver side I had to do the passenger side.
If the motor still needs the "spin" to make it go then you need to rebuild the motor or replace it.
Good Luck!
You need to pull the headlight motor anyway. Find the tech tips and follow them.
Once you have it open you will find the 3 bushings are dust. Clean out all the dust, lube up the worm gear, put in 3 new bushings. Put it back together and test it. Do this to both motors at the sime time! I didn't an a short time after fixing the driver side I had to do the passenger side.
If the motor still needs the "spin" to make it go then you need to rebuild the motor or replace it.
Good Luck!
Thread Starter
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From: Paint Hill NC
Re: Headlight open/close problems (jaa1988)
Thanks for the input ya'll. I have done the bushing replacement before on window motors and on my old LeBaron Headlights. On those cars the motors would crunch, jump, grind, freewheel, not stay up, down, open, closed etc. The vette lights are not acting like those. However, I am going to start there. I found the bushings on ebay for $11 delivered, 6 bushings, enough for both sides. When I get inside I will let the condition of the old bushings determine wether I go into the motors(s). I am going to do both sides. I'll update this post when I get done.
Later,
H
[Modified by TPFKATK, 9:25 PM 5/15/2003]
Later,
H
[Modified by TPFKATK, 9:25 PM 5/15/2003]
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Paint Hill NC
Re: Headlight open/close problems (TPFKATK)
Well I just got done with ol' One Eye. There were no plastic bushings. There were, however, 6 nuts in their place :rolleyes: . I did more searching on the forum then went into the motor. One of the brushes was sticking in its' plastic housing. I think it was not making good contact. Seems to work fine now.
Harold
Harold
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