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headlight question??

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Old 12-21-2009, 05:26 PM
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headlight question??

The headlights on my 86 Trans Am will not go down when i turn the lights off. The motor in the lights are good and I have change all relays. But they stay up. Can someone help me?
Old 12-21-2009, 06:28 PM
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Re: headlight question??

Originally Posted by ogalston803
The headlights on my 86 Trans Am will not go down when i turn the lights off. The motor in the lights are good and I have change all relays. But they stay up. Can someone help me?
The search function works very well

Try replacing the relay
Old 12-24-2009, 02:34 AM
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Re: headlight question??

Check that your taill light fuse is good.

Lon
Old 12-25-2009, 02:17 PM
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Re: headlight question??

Originally Posted by Blind Driver
The search function works very well

Try replacing the relay
I have the same problem...I suspected a relay too...where is that relay located ?

when mine go up the motors continue to run for a few seconds too?

thanks

Zeke
Old 12-25-2009, 03:49 PM
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Re: headlight question??

Your signature indicates you have a 89 Firebird. 82-86 Firebirds have the 3-wire headlight motor. If indeed you have a 89 yours is a two-wire motor (87-92) and is completely different. However for both 3-wire and 2-wire motors the symptom of a blown tail light fuse is that the headlights will raise, but won't lower.

Lon
Old 12-25-2009, 07:45 PM
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Re: headlight question??

Originally Posted by lonsal
Your signature indicates you have a 89 Firebird. 82-86 Firebirds have the 3-wire headlight motor. If indeed you have a 89 yours is a two-wire motor (87-92) and is completely different. However for both 3-wire and 2-wire motors the symptom of a blown tail light fuse is that the headlights will raise, but won't lower.

Lon

I do have an 89...


I heard there was a diff in the later wiring as well as other things about the car...wasn't sure...

my tail lights work fine ....

still curious about the location of the relay...unfortunately I don't have a manual for the car...

Zeke
Old 12-25-2009, 08:35 PM
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Re: headlight question??

Originally Posted by FloridaZeke
I do have an 89...


I heard there was a diff in the later wiring as well as other things about the car...wasn't sure...

my tail lights work fine ....

still curious about the location of the relay...unfortunately I don't have a manual for the car...

Zeke
On the firewall, inboards from the master cylinder, about 4" square, and simply slides sideways out of its mounting bracket.
Old 12-25-2009, 09:34 PM
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Re: headlight question??

Originally Posted by Stephen
On the firewall, inboards from the master cylinder, about 4" square, and simply slides sideways out of its mounting bracket.

thanks...

OK I see it now...looks like the wire connectors just unplug and you'd plug them back into a new unit and slide it back in?

I can hear a very faint ticking sound for a few seconds when I push the light switch off after I have raised and turned on the lights...seems like that must be the culprit since my taillights are fine and the lights go up and come on Ok...just not back down...


think that's a safe bet considering the symptoms? seems like it would be to me


any idea who has them for the best price?

thanks a bunch

Zeke
Old 12-25-2009, 09:41 PM
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Re: headlight question??

Originally Posted by FloridaZeke
thanks...

OK I see it now...looks like the wire connectors just unplug and you'd plug them back into a new unit and slide it back in?

I can hear a very faint ticking sound for a few seconds when I push the light switch off after I have raised and turned on the lights...seems like that must be the culprit since my taillights are fine and the lights go up and come on Ok...just not back down...


think that's a safe bet considering the symptoms? seems like it would be to me


any idea who has them for the best price?

thanks a bunch

Zeke
The ticking sound is most likely the fuel pump or headlight motors themselves. The relay box is electronic, so you shouldn't hear clicking out of it.

You could open it up & look for broken solder joints & resolder them. Several people have done that & everythin worked again.
Old 12-25-2009, 10:08 PM
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Re: headlight question??

Originally Posted by Stephen
The ticking sound is most likely the fuel pump or headlight motors themselves. The relay box is electronic, so you shouldn't hear clicking out of it.

You could open it up & look for broken solder joints & resolder them. Several people have done that & everythin worked again.

sounds like it could be worth a shot...esp since I have already checked a bunch of the aftermarket sites and can't find one...didn't imagine them being that hard to find...

just in case I can't fix my current one anybody know where a new one or working used one could be had?


thanks


Zeke
Old 12-25-2009, 11:06 PM
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Re: headlight question??

Here ya go.....
http://www.top-downsolutions.com/pro...roducts_id=119
Old 12-25-2009, 11:10 PM
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Re: headlight question??

Originally Posted by FloridaZeke
sounds like it could be worth a shot...esp since I have already checked a bunch of the aftermarket sites and can't find one...didn't imagine them being that hard to find...

just in case I can't fix my current one anybody know where a new one or working used one could be had?


thanks


Zeke
Yeah, the dealer........$$$ lol.
Old 12-25-2009, 11:58 PM
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Re: headlight question??

Originally Posted by Stephen


excellent...thanks

those guys have some good stuff...
Old 12-26-2009, 04:00 PM
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Re: headlight question??

Tell us how it turns out. How did you fix the problem?
Old 12-26-2009, 05:52 PM
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Re: headlight question??

Originally Posted by Davidgou
Tell us how it turns out. How did you fix the problem?

haven't gotten it fixed yet...it occured to me that my headlights switch looks pretty worn and ratty and I see that Auto zone has one to OEM specs for only 15 bucks..thought I might replace that first just in case but if it doesn't do it I wouldn't mind having the new switch anyway and only 15 bucks isn't a ton of money... I can always pull the module after and see if I can repair it, if not I can buy a second hand one from the top down co

I did find some new ones after looking further but they run well above 200 bucks...

we'll letcha all know how it turns out...may be a few days or so before I can get into it...been trying to do little things all along as I have money and time...


Just got a really nice factory Formula 'bulge' hood put on thurs...got a heck of a deal on it but I had to go all the way to Port St Lucie to get it...

my local body guy did a fantastic job matching the color for me...anybody on the board in St Auggies needing body and/or paint work lemme know I'll hook you up with him...he's good at his trade and very reasonable...

happy holidays


Best

Zeke
Old 12-26-2009, 05:57 PM
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Re: headlight question??

You got any pics?
Old 12-26-2009, 08:57 PM
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Re: headlight question??

Originally Posted by Davidgou
You got any pics?

just added a couple to my albums

feel free to check them out

the ones I just put in were taken this thurs, Christmas eve day here in St Johns County Fl at a park close to my home...I think the new hood sets it off nice...

I'll prolly list the old one for sale here and craigslist if anybody needs one...if it's a board member and he/she lets me know it I'll give a special good deal on it since the board has been very helpful to me

best


Zeke
Old 12-26-2009, 09:24 PM
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Re: headlight question??

Great pics. Your ride looks neat, and the hood looks great. Congrats!
Old 12-26-2009, 11:40 PM
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Re: headlight question??

Originally Posted by FloridaZeke
thanks...

OK I see it now...looks like the wire connectors just unplug and you'd plug them back into a new unit and slide it back in?

I can hear a very faint ticking sound for a few seconds when I push the light switch off after I have raised and turned on the lights...seems like that must be the culprit since my taillights are fine and the lights go up and come on Ok...just not back down...


think that's a safe bet considering the symptoms? seems like it would be to me


any idea who has them for the best price?

thanks a bunch

Zeke
If you're hearing the motor run for roughly 6 seconds after raising or lowering, then the bushings inside the gear are bad. When the bushings begin to fail they'll act erradically.

You can repair the headlight motor using either the 207280 headlight repair kit or 209280 deluxe headlight repair kit from my web site. This info only applies to the 1987-92 2-wire headlight motors.

Lon Salgren
Old 12-27-2009, 01:00 PM
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Re: headlight question??

Originally Posted by lonsal
If you're hearing the motor run for roughly 6 seconds after raising or lowering, then the bushings inside the gear are bad. When the bushings begin to fail they'll act erradically.

You can repair the headlight motor using either the 207280 headlight repair kit or 209280 deluxe headlight repair kit from my web site. This info only applies to the 1987-92 2-wire headlight motors.

Lon Salgren

appreciate that Lon...I knew it shouldn't keep going like that but had no idea what was doing it...I was guessing it had something to do with the control module...

how hard is it to put one of those kits in? I'm a dedicated enthusiast but far from a professional mech
Old 12-27-2009, 11:51 PM
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Re: headlight question??

Originally Posted by FloridaZeke
appreciate that Lon...I knew it shouldn't keep going like that but had no idea what was doing it...I was guessing it had something to do with the control module...

how hard is it to put one of those kits in? I'm a dedicated enthusiast but far from a professional mech
http://www.top-downsolutions.com/Doc...structions.pdf

Lon
Old 12-31-2009, 10:12 PM
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Re: headlight question??

Just FYI, the headlight module can be had from Third Gen Ranch for $12.

http://thirdgenranch.com/-strse-599/...ule/Detail.bok

This is a have to see to believe...
Old 01-01-2010, 12:26 AM
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Re: headlight question??

Originally Posted by lonsal
If you're hearing the motor run for roughly 6 seconds after raising or lowering, then the bushings inside the gear are bad. When the bushings begin to fail they'll act erradically.

You can repair the headlight motor using either the 207280 headlight repair kit or 209280 deluxe headlight repair kit from my web site. This info only applies to the 1987-92 2-wire headlight motors.

Lon Salgren
In all fairness, there are headlight motor bushings that sell on Ebay for $3.00-$9.00 US, (kits are for BOTH head lights). I bought them a 1 1/2 years ago, and my head lights work like new!

207280 headlight repair kit..........These bushings look identical to what I bought, but it seems that for $6.75 it will only fix One head light(3 bushings per kit = 1 head light motor).
Old 01-01-2010, 02:02 AM
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Re: headlight question??

Originally Posted by hotbird89
Just FYI, the headlight module can be had from Third Gen Ranch for $12.

http://thirdgenranch.com/-strse-599/...ule/Detail.bok

This is a have to see to believe...
hey thanks...that looks like a heck of a price...it says 90-92 tho...mine is an 89 would it still work?


thanks


Zeke
Old 01-01-2010, 07:53 PM
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Re: headlight question??

Originally Posted by FloridaZeke
hey thanks...that looks like a heck of a price...it says 90-92 tho...mine is an 89 would it still work?


thanks


Zeke
Nope. You need a 87-89 model year module. That module Thirdgen Ranch has for $12 actually works for the 90-2002 model years.

Lon
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