When I turn on my head light, they pop up fine. When I turn them off there is a loud noise for about 6 seconds and then they go down. Is the actuator bad or can it be lubricated?

Nick

 

Your headlight gear is stripped. This is a very common problem. Buy a brass gear and replace it.

 

Thanks, I ordered two last night. The forum gave me instructions on how to replace the gear as well. What a great site. Thanks for getting back with me.

Nick

 

Nice ride as well

 

Pretty straight forward repair. Did mine two weeks ago...easier on '97-99 cars as the gears are held in place by a cover with three screws. New models require prying the cover off and resealing.

If you have the older model, plastic gears and the rubber insert is the cheaper way to go, original plastic gear lasted 13 years. If you have to epoxy the cover closed (newer models), go with the brass gears and never worry about it again.

Really really easy repair to perform. Just need relatively thin arms to unbolt the headlight housing.....

 

Thanks, have a 2001 convertible. My hands are XXL, I will ask my neighbor to help when I get to that point. Did you have to manually raise the head lights first?

 

I also ordered two gears for when the driver side goes out. Any suggestions for a good quick setting epoxy for the cover

 

Mine came in the kit with the gears. Good luck.

 

Thanks!

I made sure to let mine cure for 24 hours before assembling it back on the car.

 

I saw a procedure for removing the entire head light assy., not just the motor but can't find it again. Can someone give my a link to that procedure?

 

Are you having issues with head light noise (gear stripped out)? I replaced the stripped gear in my motor housing last winter and noticed that only 1/2 the gear is being used to raise and lower the head lights. Before going all the way with taking out the head light, motor, etc. try removing the bolt connecting the actuator arm that raised and lowers the head light. Then manually rotate the gear 180 degrees and bolt the arm back to the actuator. You will now be using the other half of the gear inside the motor. You can do this until your new gears arrive....

 

Best rebuild kit you can get is from Rodney Dickman. I highly recommend his kit. I did mine two weeks ago and everything in the kit was very high quality including the special two part adhesive which set in about 10 minutes. He also includes a unique T-brace which no one else has. This brace goes over the cover upon re-assembly and provides a better load bearing point for the gear shaft. It also ensures that the cover does not come apart. I did both my actuators and they are now as smooth as butter and I don't ever need to worry about them again.

Long live the pop-ups!!!