I just got a 92 Formula 350, and when I turn them on (make them come up) after coming up they make knocking noises for a few seconds... they do they same thing when lowering them.

I am new to the 'bird, and am not familiar with it yet. So is it the headlight motors that need to be replaced, or is it some gear that can be easily changed?

Thanks..



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92 Pontiac Firebird Formula 5.7/A4
K&N, nothing else yet!

92 Rs 3.1/T-5
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take them out and take them apart. Most likly the problem is the gear is stripped on one side. if this is the case then simply turn the gear around to use the good side and you should be set.

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89 Iroc 350 TPI,
Forged pistions
Comp roller Cam .510 lift 230dur
Flowmaster exhaust
Dart Iron Eagle heads 200cc runners 64cc chambers
MINI RAM SOON!!!!!
stock TPI for now 24# inj
87 Trans Am GTA 350 TPI
had engine fire
SHE NOW RUNS!!!! GREAT!!
Flowmaster exhaust
LT1 Injectors

 

Thanks,
I'll have to try that this saturday when I have some free time.

Hope it helps!

 

Well...
I took apart the lower part of the headlight motor.... The part with 3 screws, the gasket and the cover...

First of all there was a lot of yellow powder in there and some of what looked to be like old grease....

Second, the gear looked like it was in good shape... No teeth missing, of noticable wear. It is not possible to flip it over. One side of the gear is flat while the other side has a recess into which the post that turns the headlight up fits into.
Get my drift? I dont really know how else to explain it.

Any other suggestions?

 

Common problem. Here is how I fixed mine. All that yellow stuff is what is left of the bushings. Take the plastic gear out and remove it from the metal housing. In between should be a lot more yellow powder. Clean all of it out. I used about a 3/4" wooden dow rod, cut off a section and grinded it so that it fit snuggly in between the metal and plastic gear. Right now you can probably turn the plastic gear on it's metal housing. The object is to get that slipping to stop. I used 3 of the wooden bearings and it now fits tight. I can't make it slip no matter how hard I try. After that, make sure you put all the washers back in the right spot and reassemble the headlights. The should not have any extra motion after this.

 

Oh, and if it still can't fix em' and you ever pass through Louisiana, just stop by, I'll fix em for free.

 

Well,
I will take a look at it again when I have time to take it apart again... that lowest mounting bolt is a real pain to get in and out....

I honestly dont think that it is slipping on the post... Somehow the actual screw (that the motor uses to turn the gear) is continuing to turn and making the popping noise as it pops over the teeth on the non-turning gear. Any other thoughts? Or will your solution fix it?


Thanks again!