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Headlights problem

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Old Oct 10, 2010 | 03:40 PM
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Default Headlights problem

Headlights inoperable when I bought the 1998 pace car recently. Tracked problem to multifunction switch and installed a new one. Now doors open and lights come on properly however, intermittently they do not open or come on. Ideas on cause and how to repair? They do work well 90% of the time since multifunction switch replaced. When they do not operated if I turn the car off or on after they malfunction I can get them to operate. Frustrated!!!
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Old Oct 10, 2010 | 04:19 PM
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There have been known problems with worn gears (nylon) in the headlight motors, and brass replacement gears are available. However, I'm not positive if "intermittent" issues are attributable to the worn gears or something else.

FWIW, it's not a HUGE deal to install the brass gears, but some basic mechanical knowledge and a bit of patience will get the job done. I put them in my car a couple of years ago, just to head off potential problems.
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Old Oct 10, 2010 | 05:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Marshall Goby
Headlights inoperable when I bought the 1998 pace car recently. Tracked problem to multifunction switch and installed a new one. Now doors open and lights come on properly however, intermittently they do not open or come on. Ideas on cause and how to repair? They do work well 90% of the time since multifunction switch replaced. When they do not operated if I turn the car off or on after they malfunction I can get them to operate. Frustrated!!!
How did you isolate the problem to the MFS before?
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Old Oct 10, 2010 | 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by leadfoot4
There have been known problems with worn gears (nylon) in the headlight motors, and brass replacement gears are available. However, I'm not positive if "intermittent" issues are attributable to the worn gears or something else.

FWIW, it's not a HUGE deal to install the brass gears, but some basic mechanical knowledge and a bit of patience will get the job done. I put them in my car a couple of years ago, just to head off potential problems.
.....I think the OP has a different issue here...
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Old Oct 10, 2010 | 06:01 PM
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Originally Posted by lucky131969
.....I think the OP has a different issue here...
Power = 0

Thinkin' mebbe ignition switch. Especially on a '98.
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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 07:25 AM
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Originally Posted by lucky131969
.....I think the OP has a different issue here...

Very possible, but I'm just throwing it out there. He didn't mention if he heard the motors trying to lift the headlights, the times that they didn't open...
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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 01:45 PM
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Default Headlights problem

Already replaced the ignition switch. It was also bad. Don't hear motors when the lights are inoperable. Wonder if it would be the headlight module near the right headlight or the headlight circuit breaker? Those are the only things I can think of but do not want to replace anything else unless I know that is the likely culprit.
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