This is my first post on here......but I have been a lurker for a little while. I want to thank the folks behind this board for the opportunity to share info and help for "F" Body enthusiasts. 8 years ago I purchased a white '85 1/2 Pontiac TransAm second-hand. It died at a friends wedding 5 years ago and was garaged and forgotten. Recently I had to clean the garage to pile more of the wifes junk into it.......and I undug the car from the heaps of nick-nacks. I honestly forgot what the problem was when I parked it. After replacing the fuel pump and relay......and having the gas tank ,acid dipped and relined......it sluggishly fired up. I remember having all kinds of problems with the flip up headlights before......and when I try to find new actuator motors.....the Factory has stopped making or offering them. I have a couple questions....if I could........ to those who have shared problems with them staying up.......or not opening correctly.
1) The dealership has conflicting stories as to if the 3 relays are the same relay or part number or 3 different relays and part numbers. The delaership that said they are the same....showed a part number of 10022620 used. As I look on the car......only one is plugged in(probably because I was working on them before I parked it and wanted them to stay open) and it's number is 10031018. What's up?

2) Is there any sources for the headlight motors left, if the problem is the motors themselves? I would rather replace with new....but salvage yard searching has been suggested.

This car had a custom paint job applied that gave the car a Holstein Cow Print look. No,........ not the White with Black Spots Dalmation look..... but rather White front end with varied size Black spots....and the back end Black with varied sized White spots. It spent 28 days in a custom stereo shop with a massive stereo system including cow-printed door pods for more mid-range speakers. The car was showcased by the American Dairy Board at several events in association with Milk benefit awareness. Kids luv'd it. I will shoot some pics and show the car as soon as I knock the dust off of it..... It is too cool to let go.
Can I hang with you guys?

 

ok see the banners at the very top of the page: Hawks, thirdgen resource, and some of the other ones sell used parts, My brother has a 1984 Trans Am And I ordered a Used Passanger side motor from them and shipping was very fast. I plan to do more business with them.

 

When your motors are plugged in, do you hear them running when you turn them on but they don't pop-up? If that's the case, then your gears just need rebuilding. Checkout the TDS link above. Lon(TDS) makes repair kits that include good directions for rebuilding the gears. I know he makes them for 1987 and later models, but I think he also has them for the pre-'87 models like yours.

If you get nothing at all when you turn them on, no sound, nothing popping-up, then it's probably the relays--or it could also be bad motors. Your motors each have their own relay, so you might even have one up and one down, which might mean only one bad relay or motor. If you check that stuff out, it should help you figure out what you need before you start spending money.

If you want used motors, do a search for IROCZDAVE's website. He's always got used ones in good condition. And Tom at www.houseofcamaro.com sometimes has some too. Both guys are very nice to do business with.

For new motors, try www.rockauto.com Their service is a bit wishy-washy, lol, but they sell new GM/Delco parts for pretty good prices, although new headlight motors are pretty expensive to begin with. I haven't searched for relays there, but they probably sell them too. They have just about everything.

You might also do searches for YearOne and Classic Industries. Each also sell a lot original parts. Fun sites to search too, lol.

As for the part numbers, my 1987 has the one relay set-up, so I'm not exactly sure about your third relay, your relay at each motor would be the same part number, I'd think--unless there's a right and a left. I'd think your third relay would be different and is probably the power source of the other two. That's just a guess, but I like to think it's logical, lol. So if NOTHING at all works for your headlights, then it's probably that third relay. Although, if the lights don't "light," then you might have a bad on/off switch.

Hmm, have I left out anything, lol? Completely confused?