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| Headlight motor only spins when hit (Page 1/2) |
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Mavrick1798
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MAY 04, 07:23 PM
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A few days ago I had to run out late at night so I went to turn on the headlights in my 86 GT and saw the very depressing sight of only the passenger side headlight rising up. I had read somewhere that possibly hitting the knob on top of the motor may make it work. Which it did. Hitting the motor, while therapeutic, is no fix. I remember reading somewhere of someone bending some metal tabs back together to regain proper connection and I'm curious if anyone has gone this route before. All the gears still work as you can still manually wind up the motor. Thanks for any help!
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JMTUT
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MAY 04, 09:52 PM
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You probably need a rebuild kit. The bumpers inside are probably worn out.
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viperine
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MAY 05, 12:01 AM
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My 86 GT did this once and I discovered the smack option. It worked a few times more before the relay burned out. Not sure if my relay was on it's way out already, or if manipulating the motor with a hit aggravated an electrical issue and ruined the relay. Either way, I stopped hitting anything as a means of fixing them haha.
Start a diagnostic by switching actuator relays to rule out a relay issue. If the same motor acts like that with both relays, then I would start disassembling the motor starting with the limit switch.
There are some good write-ups on here with the whole works of troubleshooting the Gen 1 system.
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fierofool
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MAY 05, 08:48 AM
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In my many years of working with the Gen. 1 motors, bending the contact arms on the limiter switch isn't a solution. It can actually create problems.
As suggested, try swapping relays between motors. If it is a relay, the motor relays are still available for under $20. If that isn't the solution, again as suggested, it's time for a teardown. Once the motor is out of the mechanism, you can remove and inspect the limiter switch. It may be that one of the brushes has detached from the spring arm.
With the motor out and the drive arm remaining on the motor shaft, check for play. If it moves back and forth freely, your bump stops need replaced. Might as well replace the primary gear while you're at it. Be sure to use a replacement gear that uses bump stops.
Burnish the motor commutator with emery cloth to remove any contamination buildup before reinstalling the limiter switch. Be careful to not catch the brushes on the grooves in the commutator when reinstalling. They can break off.
Use a good synthetic brake slider grease to lube the teeth of the primary gear and the motor screw shaft. Petroleum greases can damage plastic parts if used.
Lastly, be sure the rubber D seal at the top of the motor is in it's place, seated IN the large case half and not captured between the motor knob and top of the case.
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FX
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MAY 05, 03:01 PM
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Mavrick1798, open the hood and turn the knob so headlight goes up about half way. Grab the whole shebang and see if there's play in the unit. Sometimes loose mounts, and/or broken nylon bushings will not allow the motor to go to the end of it's full travel to hit the points that will allow it to go in the opposite direction when you hit the switch.
If everything is snug, then Fierofool's scenario is the way to go...And yes, if you're gonna open up the motor to rebuild, get Rodney's kit with the bump stops, and aluminum gear..
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hobbywrench
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MAY 06, 01:39 PM
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Rather than a hit I get my right headlight to work if stuck by simply rotating the knob slightly. Then retract hand as the knob takes off and the spin will hurt. Confess to using this technique for years. After this initial "wake up" the 2 lights work together during the trip. Then repeat.
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JMTUT
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MAY 06, 03:56 PM
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fierofool
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MAY 06, 08:43 PM
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Hobbywrench, seems like over the years you would have learned to insert the end of a ball point pen into the dimple on the knob to spin it. Saves a lot of fingerprint skin.  Unless you have an 87 or 88.[This message has been edited by fierofool (edited 05-06-2019).]
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hobbywrench
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MAY 13, 11:37 AM
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Fierofool, caveman here still struggles with wheel and fire......and lazy
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fierofool
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MAY 13, 02:50 PM
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Me, too. Someone had to tell me. For a while I thought about doing some get-even crimes because I had no fingerprints to be traced.
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