Headlight motor question. (Page 1/1)
Cobra_Ranch_Garage MAR 24, 11:06 AM
My drivers headlight motor started to "click" when the lights are off and it is fully closed. It eventually runs the battery down. Now that side will come up a little then stop. Then a little more, then stop, until it's finally fully open. Is this commonly in the switch area of the motor or the gears? Should I just order the rebuild kit and be done with it?
fierofool MAR 24, 01:22 PM
It would be in the gear. In order to stop the battery drain, or worse a fire, disconnect the single wire lead to the motor when the lights are off. Your best immediate option is to raise both lights then disconnect the single wire lead from both headlights until you can replace the gear.
cvxjet MAR 24, 04:23 PM
I had the same problem; Clicking and running the battery down- tried to fix them but quickly gave up and swapped to the later model system, from the 87-88 Fieros. It has a timer built in and shuts down if something goes wrong. (And a better control system that has less possibility of problems)

If you can find an 87-88 Fiero in a local junkyard, take the front lights wire harness and controller (Under the left fender) and swap them into your car. The motors are still available on Amazon, etc.

You can also check with The Fiero Factory in Alabama, or in the Mall for someone who has spare harnesses.

[This message has been edited by cvxjet (edited 03-24-2023).]

Mike in Sydney MAR 25, 12:27 AM
Could be a failed gear or a failed limit switch in the gen 1 motors. They can be fixed if you want to go to the trouble. Try Rodney Dickman for parts.

The smart thing IS to replace the Gen 1 headlight control system, harness and motors with the system from an 87 or 88 Fiero. Chi-nesium Motors are still available on eBay. Motors from a 93-97 Firebird will fit. There is a left and a right motor.

While you are determining what you intend to do, you can unplug the motors and used the knob to crank the motors up. The headlights will not be affected.
theogre MAR 25, 11:09 PM
You don't something "bad" in Gen1 motors for "twitching" problems.
Anything that allows the motor shaft to lose the tension in/on the limit switches is all it take to turn on the motor again and again etc.
But most times the limit switches never shut off for whatever reason and then the breaker keeps getting hot and shuts off then cool to reset forever.

Often see when HL are off and killing the battery but can happen w/ doors open too and keep cooking the motor(s).
So pull both plugs to each motor.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave