Pop up lights problem
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 949
Likes: 5
From: England
Car: 1987 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI w/ extras !
Transmission: 700R4
Pop up lights problem
Hi all,
So the headlights on my 84 Trans Am go up if I press the switch, no problems there.
However switching them off is another matter. If I simply click the off switch the lights will go off but not down but If I push hard and hold the switch for a second the RH light will go down but the LH won't. They both went up and down a few days ago so I'm wondering if it's the actual switch that is the problem?
I can hear relays clicking when I operate the switch. I know the motors in the lights are fine too.
So the headlights on my 84 Trans Am go up if I press the switch, no problems there.
However switching them off is another matter. If I simply click the off switch the lights will go off but not down but If I push hard and hold the switch for a second the RH light will go down but the LH won't. They both went up and down a few days ago so I'm wondering if it's the actual switch that is the problem?
I can hear relays clicking when I operate the switch. I know the motors in the lights are fine too.
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 547
Likes: 27
From: Germany
Car: 1990 Trans Am
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: Pop up lights problem
Look in your engine compartment along the firewall. You should see a black box with embosed letters on it, saying "GUIDE".
That box is responsible for giving your headlight motors the right signals and may have to be replaced.
That box is responsible for giving your headlight motors the right signals and may have to be replaced.
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 949
Likes: 5
From: England
Car: 1987 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI w/ extras !
Transmission: 700R4
Re: Pop up lights problem
Thanks man i will take a look. I think i will also take the switch out of the dash and clean the contacts on it just incase...........but its never that simple where im concerned lol
TGO Supporter
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,775
Likes: 27
From: So.west IN
Car: 87 Formula/ 00 Xtreme
Engine: TPI 305/ v6
Transmission: struggling t-5/ 4l60E
Axle/Gears: 3.08/ 3.23
Re: Pop up lights problem
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...headlight.html
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 949
Likes: 5
From: England
Car: 1987 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI w/ extras !
Transmission: 700R4
Re: Pop up lights problem
Ha ha your right. My 87 has that module but this doesn't. So it's the 3 relays then.
I can hear them or some of them clicking if I push the switch but the light won't go down
I can hear them or some of them clicking if I push the switch but the light won't go down
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 547
Likes: 27
From: Germany
Car: 1990 Trans Am
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: Pop up lights problem
You'll have a tough time finding that box on an '84.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...headlight.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...headlight.html
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 5,964
Likes: 37
From: Hacienda Heights, CA
Car: 90 RS 'Vert, 88 IROC-Z, 88 Firebird
Engine: 305 ci tbi, 305 ci tpi, 350 ci tpi
Transmission: WC-T5, WC-T5, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.45, 3.27, 3.27
Re: Pop up lights problem
One thing to try is check the tail light fuse. If it blown it prevents the headlight motors from closing.
Lon Salgren
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Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 949
Likes: 5
From: England
Car: 1987 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI w/ extras !
Transmission: 700R4
Re: Pop up lights problem
Nope, he has the 82-86 3-wire headlight motors. The 87-92 2-wire motors used the headlight control module on the firewall with the word GUIDE molded in the cover.
One thing to try is check the tail light fuse. If it blown it prevents the headlight motors from closing.
Lon Salgren
One thing to try is check the tail light fuse. If it blown it prevents the headlight motors from closing.
Lon Salgren
I'm in the middle of cleaning the rear end up and installing new brakes and shocks so once I put all that back together I will.m
will move onto the lights







