Well, I think I may be running into the dreaded headlight motor problem. The reason I am not sure though, is that they spin and spin and spin, but rarely do the lights come up all the way, I have to go out and help them up. Once I pull them completly up, the lock engages, and they stay up. Usually they can go back down alright, but sometimes have trouble with that too! Is there some sort of calibration I need to do on these, or are they just shot, and I'd better start checking junkyards? Will 4th gen headlight door motors work in 3rd gens? Help
Corry

 

Sorry to tell you, they are shot. Time for a rebuild. I've heard people on here talk of a place to get inexpensive rebuild kits, I don't recall where, hopefully someone who knows will see this. It is not hard to do.

Good Luck,

Ken

 

In the words of the great Homer Simpson...
"D-OH"
Well, since this post is still here, someone who knows, where can I get a cheap rebuild kit....and how cheap is cheap?

To make it worse....I babied those things, only turned on the lights when necessary, never opened/closed them while moving (wind/air resistance) I just tried to think about them 'cause I have seen so many trans-ams with their lights stuck in the up position, and I didn't want that to happen to mine....how long before they are totally gone? Will delaying the rebuild make things any worse/more expensive to repair?
Thanks
Corry

 

Try my site here: http://www.transamtemple.com/modific...ght_repair.htm

Hopefully that'll help ya out a bit...

Steve

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Steve's Trans Am Temple

 

that second pic is a bad link....it's something like file:///I:/My Documents...etc hehe


Hmm some other links are the same way. Unfortunatly I do not have internet access at my apartment anymore, so I have to save the website to my laptop, and bring it home. Thanks for the info there, but I have another question, if that gear is stripped, can a metal replacement be found? (if it is already metal, can a direct replacement be found, can a stronger replacement be found? )
Thanks for documenting the procedure, I will have to get my car inspected soon...and everything has to work, or those lights have to be propped up....and I am not even sure that propped it will pass inspection.
Corry

[This message has been edited by Corry (edited October 24, 2001).]

 

What year is your bird? If it is 87-92, there are three small bearings inside the motor housing that turn to dust after a while. A few people sell rebuild kits, or you can try to find some ball bearing about the same size. I bought 2 rebuild kits from Rodney Dickman for 9 bucks. Good instructions, took about an hour to install, and the lights work like a charm. While you are at it, pull the switch out, clean and re-align contacts. I don't have the link for Rodney's website handy, just try a search on his name. Goodluck

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1989 Firebird 2.8L MPFI
K&N cone filter
Flowmaster series 80 w/ custom 2.5in Cat-back
Accel Cap, rotor, coil, 8mm wires, Rapidfires
Energy Suspension bushings
Edlebrock springs
Bilstien Shocks & Struts
Shift Kit
245/45-16 Goodyear GSC's on polished stock rims
Lots of TLC