The headlight we just tried to replace (86 TA), won't go up automatically, but it will go down. The motor we tried to install, does work, (the guy i bought it from tested it b4 I bought it.) Now that thats out of the way, We hooked this one up and it doesn't work! Which tells me, the one I took out wasn't broke either. (I know cause we hooked it up to the drivers side and it worked)

There is something else wrong. So we played around with the relay, (the one that operates both headlights) behind the headlight wall on passenger side. Replaced that one with one we knew worked and the passenger light still won't go up automatically.

Can anyone tell me what we did wrong? Or shed any light on this fiasco?
Thanx, Marie

 

You do know that the relay that controls both headlights is a special relay. It can't be swapped with any other relay. You have to go to the dealer andd get the Headlight motors isolation relay. If I find the part number I'll post it.

 

We got that relay out of another 86 TA and it worked, it had the same part number on it. Would that still matter?

Thanx for responding

 

where the hell is that relay, i have an 87 TA plz help? also need to knwo where to buy burn off realy on MAF

 

On my 86 TA, it's right between the battery and the radiator core, behind the passenger side headlight motor.

 

hmm.... my battery is on the driver's side but i wll look thx. if any one else has a 87-89 and can help plz do

 

Try dis. Rename it to an .htm file since vBB doesn't let HTML files attach.

Oh, it's for Fieros, but they're pretty similar. It may or may not help you, but it's more info anyway.

 

Thanx for the info, i have seen it before and it doesn't pertain to my "particular problem".....but i really appreciate your help
thanx, marie

 

The '87 models don't use relays. They use a computer module. How many wires are coming out of the motors? If it's two, your motors(specifically the bushings are junk or the gearing is bad) or module is bad. Let me know if you need more help.

 

I was rereading the post and I realized you have a similar problem I had. Does the other motor work properly?
Is there power at the red wire with the white stripe? Check with a voltmeter/Multimeter. It should read 12 volts. If not your fusible link is blown. It needs to be replaced.
I didn't replace mine, though, I couldn't find them. I simply ran a wire from the +battery post and connected it to the red wire. I installed a 20 amp fuse in between to protect the motor. I did this to both motors and they work perfectly. If you need more help, let me know.

Hope this helps.

 

 

Good luck.
Attaching the wiring wasn't hard at all. I had it done in under 30min.
If you need more help, feel free to PM, IM or e-mail me.
Matt

 

I checked the wires , its not my motors, when the pass. side wasn't going up and down there was very little voltage going to it its the module, but where is it? plz helP its an 87

 

the headlight door module is near the power brake booster, its got two large electrical connectors plugged into it.

remember that current flows in a loop, resistance anywhere in the loop will cause a voltage drop. not only do you need +12V going to the component, you also need a good ground.

 

http://www.michiganfieroclub.org/headlight.htm

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 2vmodular
[B]

the headlight door module is near the power brake booster, its got two large electrical connectors plugged into it.

and where is the power brake booster?

This is like looking up a word in the dictionary only to have to look up the definition of the definition and so on and so on.

Better yet, how bout a pic of it under the hood with it circled.
That would be the sure fire way of locating the correct part.
Thanx

 

you'll find automotive related discussion boards considerable more informative and enjoyable if you first learn some basic vehicle repair and background information. most any high school introductory automotive text book will cover such basic topics as the function and location of the power brake booster, how a spark plug works, what a torque converter does, etc.

anyways, your 86' bird uses the old headlight motor system with 3 seperate relays in it and does not have the headlight door module that was mentioned. read the fieroclub document posted above for more information on this topic.

 

is it square looking? or normal relay looking?

 

Dude, guess we gotta go get these books he's talkin about.

However, I do have some mechanical background, I used to work at GM building trucks!
Unfortunately, I was never on the motor line, so these parts are unfamiliar to me.

We've narrowed down the problem a bit though. I changed the whole motor with a good one, and it still won't open, but will close automatically. So the motor wasn't the problem. I swaped the isolation relay with a good one and there is no change, same symptoms as before, so it's not the isolation relay either.
Any other suggestions as to what else to check for? Oh, it IS getting 12 volts.
This could be worth mentioning, every once in a blue moon, and i do mean a blue moon (it may have happened 3 times this whole year so far) it'll work when it's raining! Go figure
Thanx all,
Marie

 

I have had a similar prob... on pass light goes up most of the time but once in a while it won't and i just happend to test the power whenit wasn't working and it had no power up but power down
so its the module i beleieve it could be a square box right behind the 3 relays next tohe brake booster ( those relay aren't related to headlights they are ( Maf burn off , fuel pump , and maf power) so i thinit may be a square module right behind the brake booster or kinda behind kinda next too.... any way let me know what u find out!!

 

sounds like you found the headlight door module, it's a black box like you describe, and its partially behind the brake booster. to make sure you've got the proper device, remove the connectors from the module and then turn on the headlight switch. headlight motors should not move at all, but the headlamp bulbs will light up.

your problem is likely caused by one of the relays inside the headlight door module getting weak due to age and use. but the module is a sealed unit and not serviceable. used modules are cheap and plentiful at the wrecking yards, but not all work.

you and makai are "comparing apples and oranges" with your 86' and 87' birds. though both the 86' and 87' headlamp door systems accomplish the same task, the electronic parts that control the raising and lowering of the headlights are very different and not interchangeable.

82'-86' birds used the old system with 3 wire headlight motors and 3 seperate relays

87'-92' birds used the new system with 2 wire headlight motors and 1 headlamp door module that controls the entire system. same setup is used on 4thgen birds, but the pinout on the headlamp door module electrical connectors is different.

 

most interesting. there's some pictures of power brake boosters avaliable at:

http://www.p71interceptor.com/powerpedals

yes, its a ford booster but 99% of all passenger cars made for the US market have the brake booster in roughly the same location.

sounds like a bad actuator relay, a bad ground to the actuator relay coil, a problem with the wiring between the isolation and actuator relay, or the link between the battery and the actuator relay has intermittent contact.

 

82'-86' bird

 

87'-92' bird

 

2Vmod...

I really appreciate you trying to help me out....alot!!!

I just wish there was someone in the jersey area that could volunteer to come over here, and just do it. I'll pay them!!!!

We also think that the motor must be continuously turning (although i hear nothing), cause something is draining the battery & it's dies constantly. So last night we unplugged both the headlights, I'll leave it that way for a week or so, and see if I still have to jump the car. If not, then I have major headlight problems and I guess I'll have to start from one end to the other redoing the entire thing on both sides. I just have no clue how to do it. I guess the modules are next, (now if I can find them) You said by the brake booster or something? How am I gonna know i have the right thing?

Also, 1 more stupid question. On the top of the isolation relay it has a HR does this mean headlight relay?

 

I took some pix of the parts that i "think" are mods/relays. Some i need identified.
See this link:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=127518

NOTE: This pix are from an 86 TransAm

 

I'm no geographical whiz, but I would think that NJSpeeder (New Jersey) lives near you. But that's IF New Jersey and Jersey are the same place, or is it like Virginia and WEST Virginia? Two totally diff. areas?

Anyway.. he's always posting on the TBI board. Maybe you can PM him and see if there's a way to meet up with him. I know he's good at building for 1/4mile runs, but I don't know how his diagnosis talent is.

IIRC, there's a sticky thread on top of the TBI board that says something about a lot of them meeting up together. Try that and you might have all kinda people there to help ya.

AJ

 

in looking at those pics and seeing what u have i still have no idea what the ****in module looks like can anyone take a pic of a head light doors module on a 87-89 ta or firebird . thx.

 

Here's a pic. I'm having the same problem myself. I went to the dealership today and priced a new one at $300+CDN, so it's off to the wreckers I go! The module is located on the firewall, on the drivers side. Good luck!

 

thanks sooo much i finally knwo what im lookin for .... i will have to see if i can find mine now thanks alot!!!

 

Sorry I didn't respond earlier....off the boards awhile. Your problem is the headlight modulator on the firewall.