Firebird headlights won't stop running
09-22-2012, 03:43 PM
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Car: 88 Trans Am
Engine: 350
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: Posi
Firebird headlights won't stop running
I have an unusual problem with my headlights on my 88 firebird. The go up and down perfectly fine. The problem is that once the lights reach the up position the motors keep spinning for about 5 seconds. This also happens when the go down as well.
I feel that this will cause my motors to break if i don't fix it. I have a feeling it has to do with the control module but im not sure where to start.
I feel that this will cause my motors to break if i don't fix it. I have a feeling it has to do with the control module but im not sure where to start.
09-22-2012, 09:41 PM
#2
Re: Firebird headlights won't stop running
[QUOTE=LostX;5384927]I have an unusual problem with my headlights on my 88 firebird. The go up and down perfectly fine. The problem is that once the lights reach the up position the motors keep spinning for about 5 seconds. This also happens when the go down as well.
I feel that this will cause my motors to break if i don't fix it. I have a feeling it has to do with the control module but im not sure where to start.[/Q]
No damage is being done or will be done to the headlight motors by them running on as it is. The problem is that the hard gel bushings inside the gear that transfer the load from the gear to the 3-lone hub that is staked on the shaft that lowers and raises the headlight bucket are cracked and breaking down into smaller and smaller chunks. Eventually the headlight buckets will not rise or lower. Before that happens you should repair the headlight motors with a headlight repair kit. If you wait too long your one person job will become a two person job, but the motor itself will not be damaged by delaying the repair. It is your choice to do it sooner than later. You'll save a lot of frustration if you do it sooner.
I sell several versions of a repair kit for these headlight motors. The least expensive (TDS 207280 $6.75) consists of the 3 CNC machined Delrin bushings you'll need to replace one headlight motor. http://www.top-downsolutions.com/Bod...ight-motor-kit
The TDS 209280 kit $20.25, consists of 6 bushings, two side cover and one motor gasket, a packet of synthetic grease, two screws and nuts (it is common to snap off the screws attaching the motor to the actuator housing on the left side motor). Both kits include a multi-page detailed instruction sheet on the repair. http://www.top-downsolutions.com/Bod...ght-repair-kit
You can also replace the bushings with items that were never designed for the repair (ball bearings, hex nuts, shoe leather) but I don't recommend that.
Regardless, you now know what the problem is and have a source for the solution.
Good luck,
Lon Salgren
I feel that this will cause my motors to break if i don't fix it. I have a feeling it has to do with the control module but im not sure where to start.[/Q]
No damage is being done or will be done to the headlight motors by them running on as it is. The problem is that the hard gel bushings inside the gear that transfer the load from the gear to the 3-lone hub that is staked on the shaft that lowers and raises the headlight bucket are cracked and breaking down into smaller and smaller chunks. Eventually the headlight buckets will not rise or lower. Before that happens you should repair the headlight motors with a headlight repair kit. If you wait too long your one person job will become a two person job, but the motor itself will not be damaged by delaying the repair. It is your choice to do it sooner than later. You'll save a lot of frustration if you do it sooner.
I sell several versions of a repair kit for these headlight motors. The least expensive (TDS 207280 $6.75) consists of the 3 CNC machined Delrin bushings you'll need to replace one headlight motor. http://www.top-downsolutions.com/Bod...ight-motor-kit
The TDS 209280 kit $20.25, consists of 6 bushings, two side cover and one motor gasket, a packet of synthetic grease, two screws and nuts (it is common to snap off the screws attaching the motor to the actuator housing on the left side motor). Both kits include a multi-page detailed instruction sheet on the repair. http://www.top-downsolutions.com/Bod...ght-repair-kit
You can also replace the bushings with items that were never designed for the repair (ball bearings, hex nuts, shoe leather) but I don't recommend that.
Regardless, you now know what the problem is and have a source for the solution.
Good luck,
Lon Salgren
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