Problem with my headlight motor ! ! !

[ls1speedster]

My driverside head light motor has a problem. the light goes up and back down but when it goes down it rattles very loudly for about 8 seconds then stops.

Also, before this started my headlight would not come up whenever i unlock my car or put on my parking/fog lights, they do now.

My questions are, how many people has this happend to. how do i fix it. and how much would it cost. Also, should i replace both or not bother.

PLEASE HELP ! ! !

[vannatte]

Nearly everyone with a T/A or Firebird that they've had for a significant amount of time or have put alot of miles on will have this issue. The plastic gear inside the headlight motor wears out. They sell brass replacement gears on ebay. Make sure you buy the improved version the comes with a bracket. I did this repair (without the bracket) on my old T/A but the assembly kept falling apart because it wouldn't accept the epoxy and it ended up being a waste of money.

[Blk00ws6]

agree with above.

[kwade]

Yep, buy a motor.You can buy one reasonable off ebay,stick with the above thou.

[lilhotrod96]

Yep, buy a motor.You can buy one reasonable off ebay,stick with the above thou.

I'm not sure it's a motor issue. From what I have learned it is the plastic gears that wear out. Getting the brass gears is the best bet and alot cheaper than a motor.

[Too Fast]

I did this to fix mine for a long while, until the other part of the gear stripped:
1) Unbolt the 10mm nut that holds the headlight door arm to the motor.
2) Remove the rubber cap on the manual spinning part of the motor, right on top there.
3) Spin that by hand until the flats line up again for the nut to go back on the motor spindle.
4) Reinstall nut and you have put the stripped gear in a different position.
5) When it strips again, get the metal gears and do it right like the above posts say.

[02SuperChicken]

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54902

he is selling headlight motors from a wrecked car

[amanc96]

here's a site that has the free fix and the brass gear that you can order.

http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/headlightfix/index.htm

[vannatte]

Good point, Too Fast. I forgot about that one. Unfortunately, that method didn't work for my headlight motors. I bought my gears from Brent Franker, but it doesn't look like he's addressed the issue of the epoxy not adhering to the plastic motor housing. I had to glue mine numerous times and it still acted up at times. Thats why I suggested getting the gears off of ebay that come with a bracket that holds the motor assembly together.

[lilhotrod96]

I did this to fix mine for a long while, until the other part of the gear stripped:
1) Unbolt the 10mm nut that holds the headlight door arm to the motor.
2) Remove the rubber cap on the manual spinning part of the motor, right on top there.
3) Spin that by hand until the flats line up again for the nut to go back on the motor spindle.
4) Reinstall nut and you have put the stripped gear in a different position.
5) When it strips again, get the metal gears and do it right like the above posts say.

Good advice. I tried this trick too :-)

[2KWS6TA]

Rodey Dickman's replacement gears come with an extra brace if the epoxy glue fails, I've used this kit in my T/A. Here's the link.
http://www.rodneydickman.com/n113.html

[Blk00ws6]

Don't really need a motor, but for sure get a brass gear kit that has brackets.

[ls1speedster]

thanks for the information you guys have helped alot i think i will get a brass gear.

[2KWS6TA]

thanks for the information you guys have helped alot i think i will get a brass gear.

Make sure you get the Rodney Dickman Gear kit with the brace.
http://www.rodneydickman.com/n113.html

[vannatte]

Awesome link 2KWS6TA! You could even go with the anodized aluminum and save a few bucks. I'm sure they'll be just as durable. Still, the brace makes that kit unmatched by any other I've seen.

[kwade]

Well,my passenger motor is grinding now,just ordered the brass gear from the bfranker site,45 bucks shipped.

[ls1speedster]

if i went to the GM dealership...could i get it fixed there..and could they order me a brass one...

im not worried about getting it off ebay im ganna have someone do that...

thanks for the input

[2KWS6TA]

Well,my passenger motor is grinding now,just ordered the brass gear from the bfranker site,45 bucks shipped.

The epoxy glue will fail that's why Rodney Dickman includes a brace with his kit, I know cause i bought my first kit from bfranker...you will need the brace.
Go to Rodney's site...he will explain it.
http://www.rodneydickman.com/n113.html

[35thAnniZ28]

My driverside head light motor has a problem. the light goes up and back down but when it goes down it rattles very loudly for about 8 seconds then stops.

Also, before this started my headlight would not come up whenever i unlock my car or put on my parking/fog lights, they do now.

My questions are, how many people has this happend to. how do i fix it. and how much would it cost. Also, should i replace both or not bother.

PLEASE HELP ! ! !

if all else fails...get a camaro conversion

[Too Fast]

if all else fails...get a camaro conversion

Ha! This is what gives our cars some of their character!