Weird headlight noises when off (Page 1/2)
longjonsilver AUG 13, 06:55 PM
i went into the garage today to turn off the pool pump and my car was making weird noises coming from the right headlight. i disconnected the battery and the noises stopped. The headlight motor was hot (temperature wise). The ignition was off, the headlight switch was off. Both headlights were down. Everything seemed to be normal when i drove her yesterday. What could possibly cause this?
jon
viperine AUG 13, 07:19 PM
Specify which generation headlights you have for the best results. 84-86, probably a faulty relay or possibly a faulty limit switch. 87-88, not so sure.
fierofool AUG 13, 07:29 PM
Guessing it's the 84-86. In the meantime, disconnect the single blue wire going to the motor. Then you can reconnect your battery. As said, it could be a relay, or it could be that the gear or bump stops have gone bad on you. The motor probably needs a rebuild.
longjonsilver AUG 13, 08:10 PM
Sorry guys, my year is in my signature but i forgot to click show signature. its an 84, and i have rebuilt my headlights using the u tube instructions that a member here provided. Forgot who, sorry. i didn't rebuild the motors, just cleaned the brushes and the rotor, and cleaned out the green sand, and filled with grease. i guess either the motor is burned now, or the gearing is bad, as the headlight was down when this happened. i also have to make the decision as to whether to upgrade to the series 2 headlight motors, as i have 4 of them, including ones recently professionally rebuilt, and rodneys brass gears to boot. Decisions decisions decisions

i'll tackle this job tomorrow as my headlights went out on my 92 S10 today as well Today is the day that the headlights break. i tracked the S10 problem down to the switch. Ever try finding a 92 s10 light switch in quebec? i'll jury rig that somehow, as the truck, unlike my Fiero, is not a long term keeper.
jon

------------------
I'm the original owner of a white ' 84 2M4 purchased Dec 10, 1983 from Pontiac. Always garaged, no rust, 4-wheel drifts are fun! 3800 SC swap to come!

Patrick AUG 13, 08:43 PM

quote
Originally posted by longjonsilver:

...cleaned out the green sand



That's probably all that was left of the original bump stops in each motor. I hope you replaced them!

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 08-15-2018).]

fierofool AUG 14, 09:38 AM
Sounds like the bump stops weren't replaced. That leaves the drive plate to come to a hard strike against the ribs of the plastic gear, transmitting that to the teeth. This is what causes the teeth to strip. Once they strip, the motor will continue to run. This usually happens in the down position because gravity increases the force of the strike as the weight of the headlight mechanism and door spring force is suddenly added to the torque of the motor.

You said you filled it with grease. Hopefully, not literally. Only a small amount is required around the teeth of the two gears.
longjonsilver AUG 14, 03:56 PM

quote
Originally posted by fierofool:

Sounds like the bump stops weren't replaced. That leaves the drive plate to come to a hard strike against the ribs of the plastic gear, transmitting that to the teeth. This is what causes the teeth to strip. Once they strip, the motor will continue to run. This usually happens in the down position because gravity increases the force of the strike as the weight of the headlight mechanism and door spring force is suddenly added to the torque of the motor.

You said you filled it with grease. Hopefully, not literally. Only a small amount is required around the teeth of the two gears.



i followed the instructions of BuddyCraig on Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lUT_c-0vuk

i do believe that i replaced the bumpstops, and i don't think that i filled them up to the top with grease. As i remember i followed his instructions to the letter. i remember buying some white plastic discs that i put into the gearing somewhere. Anyhoo, when i connect the battery the motor spins but the headlight doesn't come up. This is with the key off and the headlight switch off as well. Hmmmmm . i painted the position of the nuts on the buckets so i will know where to put them when i take them off to service them (again).

i went to the scrap today and checked out the 87. Someone has cut the wiring off close to the brake and close to the grommet into the left bucket area. They also cut the wires to the marker lights and the radiator fan. i guess that can be repaired :wierd: The rest is there. i started removing the wiring but got stuck trying to get the loom (and the wires) out behind the hood hinges. The terminal for the headlight will not go thru. Any ideas? i guess i could cut it and solder it as well. The best thing is that the module was there and in seemingly good shape.

This is because a friend that sold his Fiero gave me 5 headlight motors - 4 gen 2 motors - and somewhere he gave me Rodneys brass gears for gen 2. i guess with the harness i will be good to go. Who said that this swap was an hour and easy. Cliff i'm talking to you. i have spent over and hour getting the harness (notice the spelling) and i am not done yet. i am sure that installing it will take several hours easily. Not including repair of the harness due to people cutting in the scrapyard.

i guess first i will deactivate the motor of the right headlight and i will only drive with one headlight for now


------------------
I'm the original owner of a white ' 84 2M4 purchased Dec 10, 1983 from Pontiac. Always garaged, no rust, 4-wheel drifts are fun! 3800 SC swap to come!

Patrick AUG 14, 04:19 PM

quote
Originally posted by longjonsilver:

i guess first i will deactivate the motor of the right headlight and i will only drive with one headlight



No need to drive with one headlight. Disconnect the single wire to the faulty motor to "deactivate" it, and then wind the headlight up manually.
longjonsilver AUG 14, 05:17 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:
No need to drive with one headlight. Disconnect the single wire to the faulty motor to "deactivate" it, and then wind the headlight up manually.



i don't know. i have never been able to wind up my headlights up manually. i have tried on numerous occasions. Maybe the 84s were different, or maybe my headlight motors or gearing is defective or maybe i just don't know how to wind.
jon

------------------
I'm the original owner of a white ' 84 2M4 purchased Dec 10, 1983 from Pontiac. Always garaged, no rust, 4-wheel drifts are fun! 3800 SC swap to come!

Patrick AUG 14, 05:25 PM

quote
Originally posted by longjonsilver:

i don't know. i have never been able to wind up my headlights up manually.



Never? Then either you're simply turning them the wrong direction (need to go clockwise to raise them), or you haven't turned them enough. Probably the latter. Keep in mind they're geared down a lot. Takes a lot of turns!

Tip: Instead of turning the black "cap" like you would a lid on a pill bottle, stick the end of your index finger into one of the holes and start spinning!

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 08-14-2018).]