I have a 92 that when I switch on only the parking lights the headlights pop up, the lights are not on but they pop up. Both headlight motors continue to run for 4 or 5 seconds with no grinding at all. Sounds like just spinning. Same happens when I switch the headlights on, they pop up but motors continue to run (with no grinding), Headlights both go down but again the motors continue to spin. Not sure if I should be looking at the switch in the dash as the problem or the headlight motors themselves. Both headlights are acting identical.

 

Check the headlight control module.

 

Ok so I got a used module and went to install it. The lights worked correctly about three times and now they are doing the same thing. Could that module have been bad? It was used.

 

Check the connection. Every now and then my headlights won't pop up, I just bump the connector on the module and it works fine after that.

 

So this past weekend I had some time to work on the head lights. I put in another module that I got . Both headlights popped up when the park light switch was on and only one went down when shut off. So I put the original module back. I checked the wiring and connectors and all seems good. No loose connections or bad wires. I tried a new headlight switch. Problem with that was headlight doors popped up on park but when headlight switch was pressed there were no low or highbeam lights so I put the original back in to have low and high beams work. Not sure what to look at next.

 

So today I attempted to figure out the headlight issue again. I have two brand new motors and I thought if I disconnected an original motor and plugged in a new motor that when I put the park lights on the new motor would not spin but it does. Should I swap the motors or is something else at fault. I have been told there may be a relay or fuse that is bad. Should I check there first?

 

With the symptoms you describe, my gut instinct still points me to the headlight control module and/or the plug/wires that connect to it. Something in that area is messing up.

 

Hard to believe it, but no one has given you the correct answer to what your problem is and how to repair it. What is going on, there is enough stray electricity going through the headlight switch when you turn on the running lights that it energizes the headlight control module to turn on the motors and raise the headlight buckets. The solution is to rebuild your headlight motors using s headlight repair kit. I sell several kits to solve this. I'd recommend either the TDS 209280 deluxe headlight repair kit (repairs two motors) or the TDS 207280 headlight repair kit (repairs one headlight motor).

I guarantee once you've repaired the headlight motors using either kit you will no longer have this issue. If you read through the reviews for the 209280 kit you'll find two customers that mention that rebuilding their motor using this kit also solved the issue you're having.

Lon Salgren

 

Just seeing this myself, what Lon is saying is correct.
The drive pucks in the motor transmission are dust and letting the motors just spin. Only other cause would be the shaft spinning inside the puck mount casting.

 

Ok so If I understand what is going on. ...the pucks have deteriorated and it is the pucks that prevent the shaft from spinning when the park lights are turned on but not the headlights.

 

100% correct. Normally the pucks provide enough resistance to keep that stray current from turning the motor. Replace the bushings and no more issues..

Lon

 

Since you have two brand new motors, install those, and grab the kits from Lon to freshen up your old motors & keep them for spares

The reason the new motors spun constantly when plugged in but not installed is that it takes the rise in current when the door reaches full open (or full closed) to disengage the module's output

 

OK, not trying to hijack this thread but, I have the same exact condition on my 86' TA (old style headlight motors). To my understanding, I only have the isolation relay and then both headlight relays. Could my isolation relay be causing this issue?

 

Ok great that is what I was hoping happened. I plan on swapping the new motors and getting the kits for the old ones so I have a set of spares. I will have time this week to work on swapping motors and will update. Thanks for the info.

 

Ok so today being nice and rainy I spent the time in the garage with the Firebird. I swapped out both motors with the new ones and as was said that was the problem. Now the lights work correctly. Thanks for the help.