88 GTA. I rebuilt the headlight motors recently only to find that they did not work after I reinstalled them. I used a small test light at the connectors and found that there was juice to the light (of the two "pins" one side lit the lamp, the other did not (is this normal?)). I dropped off the car to have it inspected, when I picked it up, I started the car and the headlights went down (by themselves, I didn't press the switch). They have not moved since. I thought the motors were shot, but if so, why would they close by themselves? What is the cause of the motors giving one last death throe? Please help - this appears to be the last mechanical gremlin after a year of restoring.

Kevin

 

I had a similar problem. Here's how I fixed it. Dismount the motor again. Plug it up to the lead as normal. Cycle the headlight switch, make sure the motor is operating. When you re-mount, make sure the headlight is actually in the position that coincides with the switch (i.e, switch off, headlight closed). I guess mine was binding all the way open and driving it around shortly afterward, the right one closed by itself. The above fix corrected it and now...no more problems. BTW I used Lon Salgren's TDS headlight motor repair kit to rebuild mine.

 

Thank you. Very interesting. I drove the car with the headlights dialed up manually and the switch on (then off), so that my be the solution. The only thing is, do I have to take them out completely? Can I just unplug and replug with the switch in the correct position (down, now that the lights are down) and cycle through that way? If that doesn't work, I will then obviously have to pull them. Thanks again.

Kevin

 

You'll have to at least disconnect the motor's shaft from the lift arm. You can do it while the headlights are still in the car...it's just a little tricky. Take the bolts out of your shroud to where you can insert something to pry it up a little. Each motor is held in place by 3 10mm bolts. Remove them. Use a pair of vice grips with a rubber insert or someting similar to hold the motor shaft and remove the bolt on the end that attaches it to the headlight lift arm. Cycle the switch, re-connect motor and bolt everything back into place. I found it easier that way and faster than removing the entire headlight assembly. It helps to have an offset box end wrench to remove the mounting bolts and a straight shaft open end for the driveshaft bolt. Good luck.