this is on a 83 firebird, the headlights turn on but neither of them flip up. If i screw them up manually they will go down when turned off, so whats the problem. I tried to diagnose the problem but i really dont understand how it works, so some help please.

 

more than likely they bushings in the motors have been ground to nothing, take the motors out and replace the bushings with 3/8 ball bearing ones and they will work like butter forever. sorry for my vague-ness but im tired...

 

I dont think it is anything wrong with the motors because they do go down under power they just wont go up, which leads me to think it is wiring related.
thanks

 

Wrong answer for several reasons. The repair method described will work ONLY on 1987-92 Firebirds which have the two-wire headlight motors. Inside those headlight actuation units is a large gear wigh a triangular-shaped cavity. Inside that cavity are three hard gel inserts or bushings. These will break down from use and crumble to a spoonfull of chunks. The 209280 Deluxe Headlight Repair Kit will repair those two-wire motors.

Your 1983 (applies to all 1982-86) has the three-wire motor.

From the "Headlight Diagnostics" I include with the Headlight Gear kit for 1982-86 Firebirds.

Headlight Diagnostics:

Both doors won't close:
Blown tailight (20) amp fuse
Bad isolation relay
Bad connection or ground

One door won't close:
Bad isolation relay
Bad actuation relay
Bad connection or ground
Faulty actuator motor limit switch (inside the headlight actuator)
Bad actuation motor

Both doors won't open:
Blown main fuse to headlight fuse
Bad isolation relay
Bad connection or ground

One door won't open:
Bad actuator relay
Blown actuator relay fuseable link
Bad connection or ground
Faulty actuator motor limit switch
Bad actuator motor

Lon Salgren
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