Headlights down- how to repair headlight motor
#1
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Car: 1989 Pontiac GTA
Headlights down- how to repair headlight motor
Hello ! I have a 89 GTA. I believe the bushings in the headlight motor are dusted and want to change them out. However headlights are stuck in down position. This is making it difficult to remove the control arm to remove motor. Is there a way to raise the headlamp so I can get to arm?
#2
Re: Headlights down- how to repair headlight motor
I don't have a pic, but there is a **** you can turn to raise the lights. I put the brass gears in mine and haven't had any problems with them since.
Edit: The ****...
Edit: The ****...
Last edited by TireSmokin'; 05-27-2019 at 11:27 AM.
#3
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Re: Headlights down- how to repair headlight motor
Remove two bolts from the radiator support. Get under the front end and remove two bolts under the car from the radiator support. Lift the entire headlight assembly out the top, disconnect the wiring as you go. Difficulty level - 3 Easy
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Re: Headlights down- how to repair headlight motor
Good luck,
Lon
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Re: Headlights down- how to repair headlight motor
Thanks for all your help! I got the headlight assemblies and headlight motors off and yes the plastic bushings were pulverized. Replaced them and headlights work great. I appreciate all the great feedback!
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Car: '1991 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: LH0 - V6 3.1
Transmission: TH700R4 automatic
Re: Headlights down- how to repair headlight motor
Hello guys,
I had to repair the same on my Firebird but the motor looks quite different. Could not get out the white plastic gear, so I had to remove the two screws, holding the electric motor. This was necessary in order to get around the worm gear with this white plastic. Putting the motor back in with holding the two contact into their place was a pain in the A. There are two springs which move the contacts towards the shaft, and you have to hold them back while putting in the motor. Is there any trick to get around this? Many thanks for your help and Greetings from Germany.
I had to repair the same on my Firebird but the motor looks quite different. Could not get out the white plastic gear, so I had to remove the two screws, holding the electric motor. This was necessary in order to get around the worm gear with this white plastic. Putting the motor back in with holding the two contact into their place was a pain in the A. There are two springs which move the contacts towards the shaft, and you have to hold them back while putting in the motor. Is there any trick to get around this? Many thanks for your help and Greetings from Germany.
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#8
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Re: Headlights down- how to repair headlight motor
Method One (aka the paperclip trick):
-
- Unbend two small paper clips and clip the small end to form a hook as shown. These will be used as tools to help hold the brushes into their tracks as you install the motor shaft into the unit.
- Push the springs and brushes back into their tracks. Note the orientation of the brush. The half moon shape must match up with the shaft of the motor. Hold the brushes flush into their tracks and grab onto the copper strand wire attached to it using the small hook of the paper clip. Pull the paper clip to hold the brushes in place against their springs.
- Carefully slide the motor back into the housing. When it is within 1/8” of seating with the unit stop. At this point the brushes should be over the commutator (the copper colored part on the motor shown in figure 4).
- CAUTION: If the motor shaft doesn’t slide in easily, then a brush has hung up. DO NOT FORCE IT, you will break a brush if you do. Instead, remove the motor and start over. The brushes must be held up in place against their springs for the motor to slide into the unit.
- Un-hook the paper clips from the brush wire and rotate the paper clip to remove them. Continue sliding the motor into the housing.
Method Two (aka the string method): - Remove the two ¼ hex-head screws attaching the brush assembly to the motor body.
- Remove the brush assembly from the motor.
- Tie a piece of string tightly around the plastic brush assembly where the brushes are located. Slip the string aside and push the springs and brushes back into their tracks. Note the orientation of the brushes. The half moon shape must match up with the shaft of the motor. Hold the brushes flush into their tracks. Slide the string over the brush so it holds it retracted against the spring. Add a second long loop of string over the retracted brush. This extra loop of string is the one that will be holding the brushes during final assembly once you’ve cut and removed the first loop of string.
- Unbend two small paper clips and clip the small end to form a hook as shown. These will be used as tools to help hold the brushes into their tracks as you install the motor shaft into the unit.
Last edited by lonsal; 05-14-2021 at 10:12 AM. Reason: added picture
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