I didn't know if this was the right section for this but here goes. The headlights on my 82 Trans Am will open up when I turn them on but they won't go back down when turned off. I have to use the **** on the assembly and screw them back shut. Has anyone encountered this and if so, what's the fix?

 

Yes, my car is doing that now. I hear a clicking noise when I try to lower the headlights near the headlights themselves at the front of the engine bay. I'm pretty sure it's the relay that is located there being the culprit and making the clicking sound. If yours isn't doing that, the headlight transducer (aka module) would be the next place to check out. It is a black box looking thing attached to the firewall between the brake booster and wiper motor. It slides out and has a single wiring connector that plugs into it with four wires. You can find them at any junkyard for cheap. You don't need any tools to remove this part. I am assuming the wiring to the headlight motor is good as well, but I'd bet it would be one of these two possibilities that are causing your lights not to retract. Good luck.

 

It sounds like the brushes in the motor are worn. You essentially have three options;
1) Get a Replacement motor from the local auto parts store
2) get a used one from the junk yard which will probably fail the second time you try to use it
3) Purchase a rebuild kit and install it (a 2 of 10 on the difficulty scale)

I hope this helps.

 

Mine actually had a small little clip, (I forget the name of it, but it looks like a 'C' and the ends are more thick, like the top of a comma, to hold it to whatever it is supposed to be attatched to) I know most of you know what I'm talking about.

That little clip had come loose in mine, and by simply cleaning the contacts ALOT and putting that clip back into place, I had working headlight motors.

Be aware though, if you try to do this on your own, you will have to drill out the rivets holding the thing together and re-rivet it back together afterward.

 

Turns out it was the headlight switch. Go figure.