Headlight will not come up manually
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Headlight will not come up manually
I have a new twist on the headlight problem. My left headlight will not come up and it is making the grinding sound that is indicative of the gear failure. I ordered the replacement gears and was ready to install it but, I could not get the headlight to come up using the manual **** or giving it a tug as I turned the ****. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get my light to come up or a way to change the gears with the light down? Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
From: Surprise Arizona
You have a worn gear, which is made of plastic. This is a very common problem. Do a search on this forum and you will find lots of info. You can pay big bucks to replace the motor assembly (I don't believe GM sells replacement gears) or you can purchase some replacement gears made of brass from Rodney Dickman ($85.00/pair) and have a permanent solution for the problem. Rodney is a good guy to do business with and sells his gears as part of a nifty little "kit" that includes everything you need to complete the job (except for some basic tools). Good luck! 
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,315
Likes: 1,585
From: Western NY
I just did the "Dickman" repair two weekends ago. It's a little tedious, waiting for the adhesive to cure, but not too difficult a job.
If you can't get the headlight to raise, I suggest getting the front of the car up on ramps, removing the plastic filler panel between the bumper and wheel well, and accessing the bolts for the headlamp assembly from down there. I'm pretty sure you can reach them even with the headlight retracted.
BTW, when disassembling the motor case, in order to get at the gear, I scribed the seam a few times with a razor blade/utility knife, then warmed it with a heat gun. It seemed to help the OE adhesive break away.
If you can't get the headlight to raise, I suggest getting the front of the car up on ramps, removing the plastic filler panel between the bumper and wheel well, and accessing the bolts for the headlamp assembly from down there. I'm pretty sure you can reach them even with the headlight retracted.
BTW, when disassembling the motor case, in order to get at the gear, I scribed the seam a few times with a razor blade/utility knife, then warmed it with a heat gun. It seemed to help the OE adhesive break away.
