hey guys i think this would go on this board but anyways i have a trans am and the one headlight on the driver side is messed up. i was wondering if i need a new one of is there something stupid wrong with it? the headlight starts to go up when i turn it on but then it stops about half way and i gotta pull it up. it stays up but it flops all over the place and it's really annoying me. is there something wrong that i can fix or is it time for a new headlight motor? somebody told me they would sell me a motor for 50 bucks is that a good deal if thats what my problem is? thanks

 

It sounds like the gears are worn out. It'll probably happen to the other side soon too.

But no worries, it's not a big deal--well, that is, it's not a big deal if TDS makes repair kits for the pre-'87 headlights. They have them for later models, and I'm pretty sure they have them for your earlier model too. So contact Lon at TDS(above sponsor link). His kits come with easy to follow instructions too.

A quick diagnosis: 1) your headlight partially raises, so it's not a motor problem. It shouldn't move at all if the motor is bad; and 2) again, your headlight partially raises, so it's not the relay(s). It wouldn't move at all if it wasn't getting power.

So that only leaves the gears. They're plastic, and they disintegrate over time and use, but they're easy to repair. So contact Lon at TDS. He should be able to help you.

 

i have the later model.. i have an 89. yea i didn't think it was the motor because it spins and everything.. just doesn't pop it up and hold it there.

 

Oh, sorry, I was going by your screen name and thought you had an '84, lol.

It's definitely the gears, not the motor. Your motor is working(that's why it's spinning). TDS has the kit to repair the gears. It's for both headlights. And like I said, the other will soon follow, so repair them both.

The kit's around $20, and it'll take you a couple of hours to do it. But it's easy, and your headlights will operate like they're brand new!

 

sweet i'll have to order one tomorrow. thanks for the help

 

You're welcome.

Good luck, and don't worry, it's easy. Once you get the assembly out and opened up, you'll understand how it works, and you'll know what to do.

But if you have any questions while you're doing it, I've used that repair kit, so feel free to PM me.