Need a quick answer about a headlight motor - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

84and85bird · 10-02-2002, 07:10 PM

I bought a headlight motor today for my 85 Firebird. The salvage yard didn't have any from a Firebird but they had one from a Fiero. I bought the motor intending to use it on the passenger side of my car, but the shaft from the motor is on the opposite side than mine. It looks more like the motor for my driver's side headlight. Will it work, or did they give me the wrong side? Could the motors be mounted on opposite sides on the Fiero and I should have got the driver's side from the Fiero instead? I'd really appreciate a quick answer so that I can trade it for a different one.

Thanks

TomP · 10-03-2002, 11:04 AM

Don't know, but maybe the guy will let you take a look at the other motor before someone else grabs it. I'd also imagine that, if the motors otherwise look identical, you could separate the working motor from the Fiero light and install it onto your headlight. Might even have to dive inside the motor. Good luck...

Skatepunk60 · 10-03-2002, 02:37 PM

the main thing in headlight motors that go are the brushes , if you open yours up (firebird ones) and cleant he brushes w/ some isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and bend the brushes in toward the windings of the motor you'll get more life out of them.

I dont know if the fiero one would work.. they may have given you the wrong side motor or it could be the same motor type on fieros .. id do the brush cleaning and wait for a headlight motor to come along

84and85bird · 10-03-2002, 09:31 PM

I went back to the junkyard this morning to look at the other Fiero motor. I talked to my girlfriend's brother last night about my problem and he told me that on his son's Trans Am that he used a Fiero motor, but he had to use one from the opposite side of the Fierro. When I went to the junkyard and told them about needing the opposite side they went and broght me back one from a Firebird, but it was the wrong side. I had to explain to them that I needed the passenger side if the motor came from a Firebird, so the brought me the one I needed from a firebird. I was glad that I finally got the right one, but I kinda wondered how all the sudden 2 Firebird motors suddenly appeared. I went to the salvage yard about 45 min. before they closed last night and got there this morning about 10 min. after they opened.

TomP · 10-04-2002, 10:01 AM

That's why I hate junkyards where I can't go in and get the part myself. I don't trust their little "computer lookup service, it'll search the tristate area for your fender. Oh, nope, there's none out there." "No fenders in 3 states??" "No, sorry. Would you like to buy new?" "no thanks". So I go to the next junkyard, and there's 3 Firebirds.

Tristate lookup my ***...

Glad to hear you got what you needed!