headlight motors. (Page 2/2)
theogre JUL 25, 02:13 PM
Gen2 HL Module may look the same for all cars but control side Wiring isn't and need work for some models module to work in Fiero.

Door/HL "Up" can still be motor failed.
Just mean they used the knob to Up them and often unplug wiring anywhere easy.

Module sees over amps draw from the motors for any reason and shuts off 1 or both motors.
Iffy motors can "jam" @ full Up or Down when trying to do the opposite operation and Module instantly kills power for them.
Can be Iffy motors themselves, ice build up driving in winter, and other reason.

Many unplug the motors in Up position for driving in winter for this reason alone. And any version of popups from all makers not just GM models.
sdgdf JUL 25, 02:55 PM

quote
Originally posted by theogre:

Wrong.
Gen2 Motors are Not as easy to rebuild and using new "pins"/"dowels" &/or new gear, worse metal gear to replace "nylon" gear Will cause problems regardless of RD and others pushing those parts.

See https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/128600.html

You and others just haven't own the car long & drive at night etc needed HL On enough to see the problems.
But Many have see the problems w/ "rebuild" motors very soon not years later so your Odds of Good "Rebuilding" is a Random Value.

And why I'm not the only one that just Replace the "Dead" motors w/ Cardone/AZ w/ Warranty or even Eflay "Knockoffs" because have "rebuild" motors and don't trust them ever again.

⚠️ Note: Drive @ Night is obvious but need HL in bad weather too but many don't bother and why now Many States and other places have Stronger Laws to Ticket w/ Points for not using HL any time Windshield Wipers are On. (Many States "Driver manuals" for getting a License have this "rule" in them for Decades but most states no law to Ticket w/ Fines & Points until last 10 - 20 years.)
Other states may add new HL w/ Wipers law in near future or currently use "ADVERSE CONDITIONS" or Fog or other low visibility.
https://www.wkyc.com/articl...26-8eb5-8dfa0546eb1e

Old Motors failing in your driveway or parking lot is bad enough... Failure driving on a highway can very dangerous, worse w/ many areas can't pull off many roads easy to manually force them Up, and cost Ticket Fines and Points too.



I'm not here to argue, just giving the OP options. I easily have had 15+ years of use on Rodney's replacement bushings between all the Fieros I've had, its not like there's a high failure rate. Its a perfectly valid way to deal with headlight motor issues. And after I replace them I'm flippant with popping the lights up and down, I do it for tunnels, covered bridges, any time it rains because I love pop-up headlights and think they're really cool. I feel confident in them once the bushings are replaced, not like I shy away from using them. I'm also a night owl, they get plenty of use at night especially since I have a bulb upgrade and I have no problem driving my Fiero at night.

Getting whole new motors is alright. I just don't think its that great an idea throwing gen2 motors in the trash because of crumbly bushings.

[This message has been edited by sdgdf (edited 07-25-2023).]

richard in nc JUL 25, 03:45 PM
now that i can tell the difference in the motors i see that one of the motors that came on the car is the early style and the other is the late syle.the po installed an early motor and taped the wires togetter.are all the headlight assemblies the same?i ordered new 1987 motors off amazon to arrive tomorrow.
Mike in Sydney JUL 25, 05:04 PM
Richard, gen1 and gen 2 headlight motors are not interchangeable. Gen 1 motors use a relay system and gen 2 motors use solid state controls. IMO, the gen 2 system is much better and more reliable. If you have a Gen 1 system you can convert it to gen 2 by swapping out the wiring harness and motors. Takes a couple of hours. Yo can find step by step instructions in the “how to” section.
richard in nc JUL 25, 05:20 PM

quote
Originally posted by Mike in Sydney:

Richard, gen1 and gen 2 headlight motors are not interchangeable. Gen 1 motors use a relay system and gen 2 motors use solid state controls. IMO, the gen 2 system is much better and more reliable. If you have a Gen 1 system you can convert it to gen 2 by swapping out the wiring harness and motors. Takes a couple of hours. Yo can find step by step instructions in the “how to” section.



i mean do both motors work with early and late fieros ignoring wiring?
Patrick JUL 25, 05:39 PM

quote
Originally posted by richard in nc:

are all the headlight assemblies the same?




quote
Originally posted by richard in nc:

i mean do both motors work with early and late fieros ignoring wiring?



Yes... in regards to the mechanical operation of the headlights, the 1st/2nd gen motors are interchangeable.
Mike in Sydney JUL 25, 05:50 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

Yes... in regards to the mechanical operation of the headlights, the 1st/2nd gen motors are interchangeable.



Agreed. The only difference is some of the bolts used to fasten the motors to the left mechanism are different lengths. The bolts for the Gen 2 motors are shorter. If you swap systems, you can use the bolts from the Gen 1 motors but you need to cut them off with a dremel tool so they don’t catc on the mechanism.