Headlight Solution (Please Sticky)

**Getzen_Guy** · 10-25-2007, 07:45 PM

I know this has happened to everyone with a firebird, so I figured I could post a reasonable explanation, that someone could sticky so the repeat-topic posting could stop.

1)Does Your headlight go up and down when you set your alarm?
2)Does your headlight make a horrible grinding sound when you put it up or down?
3) any problem resulting in a grinding sound or not lifting up or going down?
***You probably think it is the motor...***
Solution 1: In reality there is probably wrong with the motor itself,the problem is a plastic gear inside of the housing has stripped out over time. The good news is that only half of this plastic gear is used when the headlight moves.By opening the housing and rotating the, gear 180 degrees, the gear is temporarily good again and saves you the expense of a new motor.I did this on my own firebird on the passenger side headlight..
Solution 2: Replacement brass gears are also sold, but I have personally never tried them, but I haven't heard anything bad about them either. They are still much cheaper than a new headlight motor...

I hope this post helps some of you having this problem...

**Y2KPewterSS** · 10-25-2007, 07:52 PM

Stuck, thanks for taking the time to do the write up.

**djvaly** · 10-25-2007, 10:07 PM

I am changing my headlight motor gear since it is behaving as described, replacing it with another plastic one... I think that one should hold a good 5-6 years...

**ATCharming** · 10-25-2007, 10:12 PM

great writeup

Originally Posted by djvaly

I am changing my headlight motor gear since it is behaving as described, replacing it with another plastic one... I think that one should hold a good 5-6 years...

huh? u dont have your t.a. tho...

**djvaly** · 10-26-2007, 07:05 AM

you are lost ATC. I do have the TA, for 1.5-2 weeks till I give the TA away... I need to do those things... turn key ready is how I want to sell. try to keep the threads on subject without asking too many off subject questions... it's not a chat room. TRAIN thread is dedicated for that...

**SandmanWs7** · 10-26-2007, 08:47 AM

I can get anyone replacement PLASTIC gears if needed. Just PM me. They are not as expensive as the brass.

I will say that if you do plan on keeping the car forever then go with the brass. If not just replace them with the plastic ones.

Also good write up.

**2KWS6TA** · 10-26-2007, 12:08 PM

Rodney Dickman has the best replacement gears...
http://my.execpc.com/C4/4A/rodney1/firebird/

**garrity455** · 11-02-2007, 06:47 AM

Nice writeup. But a slight change to option 1. To 180 the gear, you don't even have to open the housing, or take the motor out. Simply disconnect the arm to the headlight from the motor. Then use the manual adjustment on the motor and spin that until the gear has gone 180 degrees. (the slot the arm goes onto will rotate half way around). Then put the arm back on, and the gear is 180 changed, and the problem is solved, until that side is stripped as well.

**djvaly** · 11-02-2007, 07:56 AM

not if the gear teeth are really missing or grinded down... it will allow to manually turn the gear but then slip and get stuck on that damaged part... I tried it...

**garrity455** · 11-02-2007, 08:04 AM

That really shouldn't happen, unless the gear has already been spun 180.

The gear literally only uses half of the gear from the light being up, to the light being down. The top "half" of the gear is never touched. The gear normally strips out on the down side. When it bangs closed, the teeth on the gear eventually wear out, and the motor no longer recognizes the light as being closed. But when you 180 it, you should be using completely new gear at that point. That is weird, that it would be stripped also.

**djvaly** · 11-02-2007, 08:19 AM

oh I see. after you turn 180 everything is fine. I think I misread your post... sure thing!

**FFRob2001** · 11-02-2007, 08:39 AM

Oh god i love u! how embarsing when u pull up in a fine ass car for the BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRr of the dam headlight when u forget and hit the alram butten.

Thanks man. Im going outside to fix my crap right now.

**djvaly** · 11-02-2007, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by sandman22

I can get anyone replacement PLASTIC gears if needed. Just PM me. They are not as expensive as the brass.

I will say that if you do plan on keeping the car forever then go with the brass. If not just replace them with the plastic ones.

Also good write up.

thanks sandman for the plastic gear... everybody PM sandyman for gears and other small amber light harness and small things like that. fair prices!

**shanepatrick1230** · 11-03-2007, 04:42 PM

what if your head light doesnt do anything. only one of my brothers headlights move at all, no grinding , just doesnt do anything. he has a 99 firebird

**djvaly** · 11-03-2007, 04:54 PM

to add to the above info... check battery level... if it's kindda gone the windows and flip headlights will act up or not work properly... I notice my TA sitting in the garage for 2-3 weeks at a time since it's not a DD, the battery is kind of low at times and my windows get closed half way etc...

**Getzen_Guy** · 11-05-2007, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by garrity455

Nice writeup. But a slight change to option 1. To 180 the gear, you don't even have to open the housing, or take the motor out. Simply disconnect the arm to the headlight from the motor. Then use the manual adjustment on the motor and spin that until the gear has gone 180 degrees. (the slot the arm goes onto will rotate half way around). Then put the arm back on, and the gear is 180 changed, and the problem is solved, until that side is stripped as well.

awesome, that cuts down on a lot of time!! wish i had known that would work beforehand...lol

**JoshieDoom** · 11-26-2007, 09:04 PM

Well my headlight mfinally crapped out!!! w00 h00. time for the gear!!!!!

**djvaly** · 11-26-2007, 11:52 PM

none of our sponsors sell them so here's a few links...

http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/headl...earinstall.htm
http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/headlightfix/index.htm
http://www.rodneydickman.com/n113.html

**TMR Arb** · 11-27-2007, 10:24 AM

good writeup, but one question

why when i set the alarm sometimes the headlights go up and then down again in one motion, what would this be caused from?