Headlight Doors (Page 1/2)
Anthony196 MAR 09, 09:07 PM
The previous owner was apparently having issues with the headlights, so he manually cranked them up and that's how they remained for the past 8 or so years. I cranked them back down, but now the headlight doors don't sit flush with the hood, they remain slightly open, about 1/8"-1/4". It's as if the springs have stretched from being open for so long. Is there any adjustment for this, or will I have to look at buying new doors?
1985 Fiero GT MAR 09, 09:17 PM

quote
Originally posted by Anthony196:

The previous owner was apparently having issues with the headlights, so he manually cranked them up and that's how they remained for the past 8 or so years. I cranked them back down, but now the headlight doors don't sit flush with the hood, they remain slightly open, about 1/8"-1/4". It's as if the springs have stretched from being open for so long. Is there any adjustment for this, or will I have to look at buying new doors?



What position are the doors in when the hood is open, do they remain 1/4" open, or do they close, then open again when you lower the hood
Anthony196 MAR 09, 10:07 PM

quote
Originally posted by 1985 Fiero GT:


What position are the doors in when the hood is open, do they remain 1/4" open, or do they close, then open again when you lower the hood



They do remain slightly open with the hood open
1985 Fiero GT MAR 09, 10:41 PM

quote
Originally posted by Anthony196:


They do remain slightly open with the hood open



ok, and can they be pushed fully closed, without much effort, (when the hood is open) only to pop back open, or do they not close period?
Anthony196 MAR 09, 10:57 PM

quote
Originally posted by 1985 Fiero GT:


ok, and can they be pushed fully closed, without much effort, (when the hood is open) only to pop back open, or do they not close period?



Yes, they can be pushed closed with almost no effort, only to pop back up slightly
1985 Fiero GT MAR 09, 11:06 PM

quote
Originally posted by Anthony196:


Yes, they can be pushed closed with almost no effort, only to pop back up slightly



ok, yeah, unless the little rubber bumpers are sticking up to far, it sounds like the springs were overstressed.
1Packrat MAR 10, 10:50 AM
It was common with the early Gen1 headlights for the owner to remove one of the door springs. This allowed weaker motors to lift the headlights. Check and make sure the doors have 2 springs on each side.
buddycraigg MAR 11, 07:47 PM

quote
Originally posted by 1Packrat:
It was common with the early Gen1 headlights for the owner to remove one of the door springs. This allowed weaker motors to lift the headlights. Check and make sure the doors have 2 springs on each side.



I have never heard of this.
I've had my normal head light doors pop open at speed, I couldn't imagine what they do with one of the springs removed.
theogre MAR 12, 10:17 AM
If door(s) open for years now stay open some, can be several things...

Lift may not be all the way down & holding the doors open. lift assembly is "bad," not adjusted right on "tire wall," or both.

Door(s) may have been hit or warped enough to damage the hinge & plastic attach to the hinge now won't close right. In warps cases may need "new" doors &/or hood because the panels are never made to open for Years & spring load can warp when does that.

Rust Dirt etc can cause door binding. Worse if the hinges have been "greased" because lubes holds crap in the hinges.

Springs won't distort w/o help by people or damage by other reason.
Example: Many in the "Gun world" are told to stretch mag springs to fix whatever BS problem only makes other problems & end up w/ more jams. Even DOD has problems w/ this & fight the stretch BS for Decades on just about every hand gun & rifle model including stories in Army's PS Magazine over the years.
Or Rust can "eat" the springs so can't to their job but likely Not your problem here.


quote
Originally posted by buddycraigg:
I have never heard of this.
I've had my normal head light doors pop open at speed, I couldn't imagine what they do with one of the springs removed.

I've heard of both...
First is when confused and think removing 1 spring helps "weak" motors. Again many want cheap/easy fix not fix the root cause that cost a lot more.

Seconds is "common" w/ high speed driving some Fieros.
Why isn't simply to explain because often have different issues or problems w/ 1 car vs next car.

------------------
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

richard in nc MAR 13, 07:32 PM
my 1987 car has had this problem since i got it.both of the headlights were up when i got it.i swapped in two amazon motors.they worked great.the hood covers always stuck up 3/8s inch.i loostened the four ten mm bolts today and the covers were level to the hood while the hood was open.the problem is the drivers side headlight mechanism is still too high for the door to close.