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Electronics Need help wiring something up? Thinking of adding an electrical component to your car? Need help troubleshooting that wiring glitch?

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Old 11-20-2009, 12:00 PM   #1
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new guy... headlight motor question

ok, so im new here and i have an 89 firebird. the problem i have is that both of the headlights pop up very smoothly, but neither go down. searching these forums ive found that its probably the isolation relay thats the issue, and even gotten the part number. the ploblem im having, tho, is where to get a new one to replace it. if anyone knows of where i can get it or maybe a way to cross-reference it to another relay, any help would be appreciated. thanks!
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Old 11-20-2009, 03:52 PM   #2
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Re: new guy... headlight motor question

you should check on jegs, under the ignition and electrical they have lots of stuff from painless for wiring.

also you might want to check all the connections to the motor because it it goes up smooth its not a bad motor, so it might be a loose wire.
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Old 11-20-2009, 07:03 PM   #3
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Re: new guy... headlight motor question

it definitely sounds like your headlight module is going bad (or is bad). Check it out and pop it open, you'll see the relay (its in a clear case) inside and I bet some of those wires are bad/disconnected. The headlight module is located at the left of the brake booster (its between the brake booster and wiper motor on the firewall). It has 2 sets of wires going to it...
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Old 11-21-2009, 09:15 AM   #4
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Re: new guy... headlight motor question

so you think its more of a wiring issue than a bad relay?
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Old 11-22-2009, 12:04 PM   #5
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Re: new guy... headlight motor question

I think its your module which contains the relay. Did you find it?
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Old 11-24-2009, 08:23 AM   #6
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Re: new guy... headlight motor question

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Originally Posted by HCR13 View Post
I think its your module which contains the relay. Did you find it?
yea, i went out to the car yesterday and pulled the module... the relay was good but the board had definitely gotten wet at one point and some connections were corroded. my friend with an 87 z28 who deals with computers and mother boards everyday looked it over, said it didnt look good. so a new one is on order.
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Old 11-24-2009, 03:27 PM   #7
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Re: new guy... headlight motor question

yeah, they can be had at any junkyard with a 3rd gen Firebird. Before you get the donor, make sure its the same headlight motors. GM used 2 types. A 3-wire and a 2-wire. I don't remember what years had what. But if your headlight motors only have 2-wires then get the module from the car with a 2-wire motor...
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Old 12-03-2009, 09:16 PM   #8
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Re: new guy... headlight motor question

ok, so i switched the module out with a new unit, the proper one for my 89, and the problem is still there.... now what?
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Old 12-03-2009, 10:15 PM   #9
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Re: new guy... headlight motor question

still same issue? wont go down? To make sure its not a wiring issue, test the pigtails that the headlight motors plug into, the one attached to the car (wiring harness). When the headlights go up one wire should be positive and the other negative, when the headlights go down (or supposed to) those polarities should switch. If that is correct then the headlight module is working like normal and it would be the motors themselves with the issue...
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Mods so far: MSD Cap and rotor, MSD ignition coil, Accel 8.8mm ignition wires, Hooker Super Comp Shortie Headers, Flowmaster 3in catback, underdrive crank pulley, custom cold air intake, NOS wet 125 shot, air foil and a lead foot! no E/T's yet. ...TURBO COMING SOON...Other mods include keyless entry and remote start, and Sequential Turn Signals.
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Old 12-03-2009, 10:15 PM
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