I have a 85 Trans Am and the motors don't work properly. I replaced the relays and it didn't fix the problem. My problem is:
(note-the following happens when the lights are off except when told otherwise)
The passenger side motor goes up as soon as I connect the relay. It never goes down by itself. Also, I hear a clicking sound coming from it when its fully raised. like its trying to go further, then stops, then starts up again. This goes on as long as the relays are hooked together. When I turn on the lights the clicking stops. With the lights off can wind them down by hand until it clicks, then it spins up again. When it clicks again I can again begin to wind it down.

As for the driver side, That one only goes down. It goes down as soon as the relay is hooked up. This one doesn't click though. With the lights off I can't wind it up. It won't let me. With the lights on it will allow me to wind it up.

I took them apart and I noticed a copper ball of wires that spin. Also, in the passenger side one I noticed what looks like a blown fuse or something. It was a glass tube that was darkened. It was right behind the access panel .
Both motors are exactly the same with the exception that the actuator arms are on opposite sides, otherwise they are exactly the same shape. They both wind up in the same direction(clockwise).

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Matt

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Matto'85TA
[B]I have a 85 Trans Am and the motors don't work properly. I
IBoth motors are exactly the same with the exception that the actuator arms are on opposite sides, otherwise they are exactly the same shape. They both wind up in the same direction(clockwise).

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks,
[quote]

Ok, i've had this problem and its pretty easy to fix. What you'll need to do is get the motors out of the car again so you can work on them. Then dissasemble the the round side cover (should be three bolts holding it on) that will expose a plastic gear. Carefully pry the gear out with two screwdrivers, it may fight you but comes out if your patient. Underneath the gear should be three plastic bushings, or more likely the shredded remains of them. Clean the broken pieces out, saving one of the bushings for reference if possible....

Here's the cool part - Find three ball bearings, aproximately the same size as the old bushings (maybe 3/8" round? cant remember). I pulled mine from an old wheel bearing i broke into pieces. put them where the bushings used to be, spray some lube into the works (not regular grease, it might eat the plastic) and reassemble. Turn the ***** on the top to test them out before you put them back in....


Hellraiser

 

My motors are riveted together. The only thing that comes off is a small access panel covering the HTS.
Maybe I'm wrong, I don't know. I've had them out of the car about 5 times and apart once or twice.

Anyway, Thanks for the help. I'll try that the next time I get out there to work on it.

Matt

 

yea, your talking about the 87 and up 2 wire headlamp motors, i did the same with mine but instead of ball bearings i just drilled holes and put screws to hold the plastic gear ont he metal shaft, unfortunately i haven't dissassembled the older 86 and down 3 wire headlight motor b/c of the rivets.