Hi, 1986 fiero. Headlight motor, passenger side. First time the motor went, assumed it was due to a 'missing /burnt off' bumper, plus all the green gunk and plastic gears. Put in rodney dickman gears, parts from other motors, that were still in good shape. Now on to a second burn out, this one worse. Motor is fried, plastic casing melted. Bumpers are both still intact. But every thing else is cooked. Any ideas as to what might be causing this? Do I need an in line fuse? Or does the 86 all ready have one? (Not really a wiring person). Any ideas are much appreciated.

Sounds like the motor was stuck on in a stalled state. The limit switch probably didn't shut off the motor and it got red hot.

------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

IMO you would be a lot better off to snatch a 87-88 front harness & headlight module from the pick-n-pull yard. This will plug & play right into your 86. Then go online, Advance Auto, Rock Auto etc, and buy a left & right motor preferably new instead of rebuilt. Provided your lift mechanisms are okay your headlight problems will be over.

I can pull a harness in less than 30 minutes and I'm 70. I bet you a child could do it.

Spoon

------------------
"Kilgore Trout once wrote a short story which was a dialogue between two pieces of yeast. They were discussing the possible purposes of life as they ate sugar and suffocated in their own excrement. Because of their limited intelligence, they never came close to guessing that they were making champagne." - Kurt Vonnegut

I would guess that when you put the motor back together you failed to get the rubber D seal inserted into the case in it's proper place. If it was on top of the case between the case and knob, it acts as a cushion and prevents the limiter switch from opening when the headlight closes. It will allow power to continue to feed to the motor and the result is exactly what you experienced. You're lucky it only melted and didn't catch fire.

Thanks guys. I think a combination of things went wrong. Glass bulb/thermal switch in both is black as night, think it stayed open. Need to check fusible link too. Next problem is my local pick n pulls are out of fieros. Ebay only has drivers side motors. May have to convert to the gen. 2 or as suggest or try to find wiring harness for the new ones. Price is an issue, just spent $700 on front manifold repair. I'll look around more. Love this forum. Had to use it a few times before. Always helpful. Also if anyone has a passenger side motor to sell, I would appreciate it. Have some parts, to do another rebuild. Missing the glass bulb/thermal switch and casing. Think I have extra other parts.

I refurbish Gen. 1 motors. I can pull your metal gear from your motor and install it into a good motor. Email or PM me if interested.

The thermal bulb can be black inside and still work properly. It's not an indiction of anything if it's black.

[This message has been edited by fierofool (edited 05-14-2018).]