one motion headlights,,
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: chicago suburbs
Car: 1988 Notchback GTA
Engine: 350 L98
Transmission: 700 r4
one motion headlights,,
if my headlights will not go up..I crank them up.. but when i shut them off they go down.. then same thing...
does that mean the motors are bad or is the headlight door module.. or the gears?
86 Trans Am
Near Chicago
does that mean the motors are bad or is the headlight door module.. or the gears?
86 Trans Am
Near Chicago
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,947
Likes: 368
From: Las Vegas
Car: 1987 Formula (original owner)
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt/3.45
It could be any of those things Michael. Good motors=bad gears, and no motors up but motors down probably=bad relay or relay connections. Right off, since the lights go down, I'd say your motors work, because if the motors were bad, they shouldn't even go down. So that leaves the nylon gears inside the motors or the relay(just one for 87+ headlights).
With the car off, so you can listen for the motors, turn on the switch to put them up. If you hear the motors, then your gears need rebuilding. If you don't hear the motors, then you'll need to check the relay. If you get only one motor, it's probably both situations.
To repair your gears, Lon at TDS has a repair kit that will solve the problem. I've used it, it includes good directions, and it works very well.
To check the relay, it's flat-ish and about 3" square, it's behind the brake master cylinder on the firewall, and it has two identical connectors plugged into it, one on each side. Try wiggling them, unplugging them, replugging them. Basically, make sure they're plugged-in correctly and securely.
When you try the switch again, if they still don't pop-up, then play with those connectors again(one of mine took a couple of tries). If still no change, then it's probably a bad relay, which would have to be purchased from your dealer. Most auto parts stores don't carry it.
I had both situations: one that wouldn't run so it wouldn't pop-up, but it would go down(turned out to be one connector not plugged-in well); and one that would run but not pop-up, but it would go down(the gears were worn).
I hope I've helped.
With the car off, so you can listen for the motors, turn on the switch to put them up. If you hear the motors, then your gears need rebuilding. If you don't hear the motors, then you'll need to check the relay. If you get only one motor, it's probably both situations.
To repair your gears, Lon at TDS has a repair kit that will solve the problem. I've used it, it includes good directions, and it works very well.
To check the relay, it's flat-ish and about 3" square, it's behind the brake master cylinder on the firewall, and it has two identical connectors plugged into it, one on each side. Try wiggling them, unplugging them, replugging them. Basically, make sure they're plugged-in correctly and securely.
When you try the switch again, if they still don't pop-up, then play with those connectors again(one of mine took a couple of tries). If still no change, then it's probably a bad relay, which would have to be purchased from your dealer. Most auto parts stores don't carry it.
I had both situations: one that wouldn't run so it wouldn't pop-up, but it would go down(turned out to be one connector not plugged-in well); and one that would run but not pop-up, but it would go down(the gears were worn).
I hope I've helped.
Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Car: 1986 Trans Am
Engine: 305 Carbed
Transmission: WC-T5
Wow someone should sticky this its very helpful
I have a question though, mine the driver side will go down but not up, and the passenger side does nothing, They both dont have sounds.
Mine is a pre 87 so I think I have 3 relays
Is my probelm just bad relays? or is it a bad relay and a bad passenger side motor?
Thanx for anyhelp
I have a question though, mine the driver side will go down but not up, and the passenger side does nothing, They both dont have sounds.
Mine is a pre 87 so I think I have 3 relays
Is my probelm just bad relays? or is it a bad relay and a bad passenger side motor?
Thanx for anyhelp
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post