Help - Loud clicking sound
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: Victoria BC
Help - Loud clicking sound
This just started this morning on my 01 vert... This loud rapid mechanical clicking sound occurs after the headlights go down. It lasts for about 10 seconds. I think it is coming from the motor that raises and lowers the lights on the drivers side.
I took the rubber covers off the manual turning wheels and when I turn off the lights the wheel on the driver's side contiunes to spin after the one on the passenger's side has stopped, all the time giving off this really loud noise.
Is the headlight motor in need of replacement?
I took the rubber covers off the manual turning wheels and when I turn off the lights the wheel on the driver's side contiunes to spin after the one on the passenger's side has stopped, all the time giving off this really loud noise.
Is the headlight motor in need of replacement?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Sounds like the plastic gear in your headlight retractor assembly might be toast. A forum vendor (don't remember who) and Rodney sell a brass replacement for the gear that saves you from replacing the whole assembly. Also, I'll IM you a link to another source. 
Last edited by Patches; Jul 16, 2004 at 08:55 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: Victoria BC
Headlight gear
Thanks for the link. Why would GM put such a P.O.S. cheap plastic part in such an expensive car is beyond me, especially given the frequency that these things seem to fail in our cars as well as the T/A's.
Anyway. Now I know.
Thanks Again!!
Anyway. Now I know.
Thanks Again!!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 91,519
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From: o|||||||o
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St. Jude Donor '07 thru '11
Originally Posted by Ag_bullet
This just started this morning on my 01 vert... This loud rapid mechanical clicking sound occurs after the headlights go down. It lasts for about 10 seconds. I think it is coming from the motor that raises and lowers the lights on the drivers side.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 1
From: Deerfield beach Fl
Patches,
Can I get the link too please. I need to fix this too. The good news is, mine has been like this for about a year or more and aside from being annoying, it doesn't seem to do much else.
Can I get the link too please. I need to fix this too. The good news is, mine has been like this for about a year or more and aside from being annoying, it doesn't seem to do much else.
Originally Posted by Patches
Sounds like the plastic gear in your headlight retractor assembly might be toast. A forum vendor (don't remember who) and Rodney sell a brass replacement for the gear that saves you from replacing the whole assembly. Also, I'll IM you a link to another source.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 1
From: Deerfield beach Fl
from reading and searching, I have found another way to fix this problem which seems like it will be much easier for the average person, according to a website I just read, if you release the arm that raises and lowers the headlight from the motor, then you can turn the motor manually so that the shaft in the headlight motor turns 180 degrees, this is supposed to let you use the unused part of the gear. The link is below, from what I have gathered, firebirds use the same setup. I will try this tomorrow if I ever get my seat bladders fixed and back together.
http://www.firebirdtaclub.com/ttlight.htm
http://www.firebirdtaclub.com/ttlight.htm
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Also, if your bushings are bad, they'll cause your motors to click like that, too.
Go to HomeDepot and ask for item number 595609. You'll need 6 of these nylon spacers to fix both headlights.
Then, check out the C-4 Techtip section for the excellent articles on headlight motor repair!
Go to HomeDepot and ask for item number 595609. You'll need 6 of these nylon spacers to fix both headlights.
Then, check out the C-4 Techtip section for the excellent articles on headlight motor repair!
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From: Centerville OH "If we weren't all crazy we would go insane"
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St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by goldenboy9r
Thanks for the link robl. I tried it today and it took me about 20 min. PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!!!
I just tried it and it fixed my problem. At least for now. Wonder if I should buy the new gear as an insurance policy
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Originally Posted by robl45
from reading and searching, I have found another way to fix this problem which seems like it will be much easier for the average person, according to a website I just read, if you release the arm that raises and lowers the headlight from the motor, then you can turn the motor manually so that the shaft in the headlight motor turns 180 degrees, this is supposed to let you use the unused part of the gear. The link is below, from what I have gathered, firebirds use the same setup. I will try this tomorrow if I ever get my seat bladders fixed and back together.
http://www.firebirdtaclub.com/ttlight.htm
http://www.firebirdtaclub.com/ttlight.htm
thanks for the contribution. I've got this little tidbit saved for later!!Paul
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 1
From: Deerfield beach Fl
You probably should get a new gear eventually because even though the gear is using the nonstripped part now, the rubber bumper is probably fried. But a new gear does not take long to arrive so better to wait and see if it is really necessary.
Cherish your Hopes...
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: West Palm Beach FL
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by robl45
from reading and searching, I have found another way to fix this problem which seems like it will be much easier for the average person, according to a website I just read, if you release the arm that raises and lowers the headlight from the motor, then you can turn the motor manually so that the shaft in the headlight motor turns 180 degrees, this is supposed to let you use the unused part of the gear. The link is below, from what I have gathered, firebirds use the same setup. I will try this tomorrow if I ever get my seat bladders fixed and back together.
http://www.firebirdtaclub.com/ttlight.htm
http://www.firebirdtaclub.com/ttlight.htm
