Left Headlight problem (Page 1/1)
Sledgehammer APR 10, 08:51 PM
Ok guys I’m back again with same problem.
1987 GT
Problem Left headlight will not raise the headlight door with the hood down.
Will operate normally with hood open.

I have replaced the motor with a new one. Same results won’t raise the hood door. Recommendation from forum member.
I checked the ground wire and made sure it was clean and firmly fastened.
Replaced the fusible links also.

With hood open seems to work normally and at same speed as the right headlight.
The only thing left is the control module. I have a replacement but didn’t want to use it until I was sure that was the problem.

This has been driving me crazy since I bought the car. Any help would be appreciated.
theogre APR 11, 12:12 AM
"New" motor from just where?

"Rebuilt" motors may still have problems, more so w/ DIY "rebuilding."
Even a real New motor (Yes you can get New Gen2 motors.) can still have module killing power because of binding etc in the rest of HL Lift assem and door(s).

HL lift and maybe doors mounting holes are slotted for a reason but most people never bother aligning either.
HL lift only hits doors at 2 to 4 points and 2 main points hit door's "bearing" plastic strips.
Several lift Pivots has Plastic or Brass bushings/bearing too. They can get dirty, wear out, etc. Worse when someone sprays oil/grease on them.

See my Cave, Gen 2 HL 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

Sledgehammer APR 11, 01:01 AM

Are you indicating in your response that contact with the door by the upward moving headlight assembly could be out of “alignment”? When I look at the headlight assembly it appears that it is aligned to strike the door on the plastic strips. There are slide/scratch marks on the plastic strips where the headlight assembly would make contact. However, there is only slight adjustment movement with the headlight mounting screws.

Is there any adjustment on the door that I should consider also. My guess is the headlight is trying to move upward but when it comes in contact with the door it stops. So, if there is an alignment issue it would have to be right at the beginning contact with the door. I will try and look at alignment closely in the morning.
Further note: 1) the Headlight with the new motor is doing exactly the same as the old motor.
2) both new and old headlight motors appear to work perfectly when hood is open.
3) the headlight/door did work but suffered from damaged pins, and it struggled to open. Worked about 3 times then stopped altogether.
4) when I turn headlight on I don’t see any movement in the door at all.
As I had mentioned before I do have another headlight module. However in your reply you indicate that a replacement module could be damaged also if just put in place. I will try and check alignment in the morning. If its a alignment issue it has to be right at the start of headlight movement and perhaps not contacting the door at all.

Sledgehammer


Sledgehammer APR 11, 01:03 AM

quote
Originally posted by Sledgehammer:


Are you indicating in your response that contact with the door by the upward moving headlight assembly could be out of “alignment”? When I look at the headlight assembly it appears that it is aligned to strike the door on the plastic strips. There are slide/scratch marks on the plastic strips where the headlight assembly would make contact. However, there is only slight adjustment movement with the headlight mounting screws.

Is there any adjustment on the door that I should consider also. My guess is the headlight is trying to move upward but when it comes in contact with the door it stops. So, if there is an alignment issue it would have to be right at the beginning contact with the door. I will try and look at alignment closely in the morning.
Further note: 1) the Headlight with the new motor is doing exactly the same as the old motor.
2) both new and old headlight motors appear to work perfectly when hood is open.
3) the headlight/door did work but suffered from damaged pins, and it struggled to open. Worked about 3 times then stopped altogether.
4) when I turn headlight on I don’t see any movement in the door at all.
As I had mentioned before I do have another headlight module. However in your reply you indicate that a replacement module could be damaged also if just put in place. I will try and check alignment in the morning. Again, If its a alignment issue it has to be right at the start of headlight movement and perhaps not contacting the door at all.

Sledgehammer





88Fingers APR 11, 08:49 AM
Hello Sledgehammer, had the same issue on one of my '88 GTs. Turned out that I didn't have the lift arm positioned properly and it would raise with hood up but not down. Removed the entire unit and positioned the arm like the right hand one when in down position and boom, it started working like new. You may have other issues but this is one to consider. Best of luck!
theogre APR 11, 05:45 PM
The door is likely fine but if HL can hit anywhere on the hood hole or door besides door plastic strips then module can shut off to protect motor and module.

Iffy lift alignment in only one thing can cause binding.
Example: Trim around HL can bind w/ door, hood hole, or both when lift is installed bad and/or have missing screws. That trim has screws on the front and both sides.
Iffy pivots will bind too and if lift has binding problem then tries to push open the door can/will "trip" the module's "Breaker" and instant kill power.

that's ignoring problems using used, repaired, or rebuilt motors.

Your spare module likely will have same problems and kill power to the motor.

Try this... Lift down/HL off, manually turn motor's knob Up ½ to ¾ of 1 turn, close the hood then turn on HL.
Sledgehammer APR 11, 07:07 PM
Ok, guys I found it with your help.

First I removed the headlight assembly to check the linkage as recommended. Put it back in NO CHANGE.

Then, I again looked at the alignment. I moved the headlight assembly as far to the left (fender) as it would go about 1/4 inch.
Tried again still not working but I could see the door trying to open but no. While it was still in the try to open phase I manually opened the door.
HOOD STILL CLOSED
There was the problem : the very top edge of the headlight was stuck onto the forward headlight edge of the hood. I sanded down the edge of the plastic headlight frame that wa catching on the hood. Turned on the headlights and WOW it opened like it normally should.

I then examined the gap between the hood and the front bumper it was a little wide . I can close it a little 1/8” and it will further lessen the likelihood of this ever happening again. This car I have to driven yet,was in storage about 15 years so a lot of minor things I have to repair and adjust. I coul see by the bolts on the hood mount that the hood must have been removed or something previously.

I can’t thank you guys enough for the thoughts and suggestions you provided me. You focused my attention in the right direction And now it works.
Thanks again.

Sledgehammer

theogre APR 12, 12:17 AM
Front of hood hole hit HL Trim etc can be:
HL Trim is loose or damage.
Lift has problems.
Tire Wall where lift is mounted on is bend.
Hood or hood hidge(s) has damage.

Left hinge especially gets beat up when open doing things because of the prop setup.
Lower hinge section should be straight but easy to bend at upper mounting point.

Motor ran after hitting anything? Yes is not good.
Module should kill power when motor stalls for any reason.

Watch motors at end of travel w/ hood open. May need helper to push HL switch.
module should kill power immediately. You can tell just watching or try to turn the knob other way right after stopping.
If module can't "read" stall amps to kill power then will wait until timer runs out @ ~ 5 sec total run time. This can fry the module and/or break/fry the motor if allowed to continue.

If you replace the module... Do same test on both motors.
88Fingers APR 12, 06:07 AM
Glad ya got it Sledge! Rock on Fieros!!