Anyone know what causes a headlight motor limit switch to cycle when the headlight is down and off? I can hear it clicking on and off when the car is not running. It doesn't happen when the headlight is up and on.

I tried reinstalling the switch a couple of times, but it still cycles. Did I do something wrong in the rebuild? Looked in the threads, but I couldn't find anything on it.

On the side of the motor gear box is a cover. You will need to remove the gear box and remove the cover. inside you will see a points setup with a finger that moves the points at open and at close. The clicking you hear is the built in over temp or safety switch. This is not a good thing and will run your battery down. The points setup slides out and can be cleaned or replaced if needed. I've found the the tention goes out of the metal and it's shot and needs replaced. I've seen the kits on E-Bay ?? I would suggest that you open the headlight and unplug it untill you get the kit to repair it. THis is a very easy fix and I think you would be happy with new parts then to try to tinker with the worn parts. You will see how far the points have burnt when compaired to the new. Good Luck

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85 GT 4spd 2.8 1 yr blk
86 SE 4spd 2.8 2 yr blk
86 GT Auto 2.8 new to me.
87 SE 5spd Future 4.9 6yr

Thanks, I really appreciate your taking the time to answer. I probably should have been more detailed in my original post. I replaced the OEM switch when I rebuilt the headlight motor a few months ago. It worked OK for awhile, but a few weeks ago it started cycling, so I figured the replacement switch was bad.

I bought a new switch, and installed it. The new switch also cycled, so I disassembled the motor to check if there was something I did wrong when I rebuilt it. Nothing looked wrong, so I regreased the gears and put the motor back together. The switch still cycled. I took the switch out and repositioned it (twice). Now, sometimes it cycles, and sometimes it doesn't.

You're right about the battery, and I don't think the cycling does the headlight motor any good either. Right now I've got the motor lead disconnected, and cranked the headlight up manually until I can figure out what to try next.

Any ideas would be welcome.

There was a post a while back that covered this, and a Popsicle stick fix.
Basically, use a small piece of Popsical Stick as a shim against the side of the switch inside the cover plate. Should push the limit switches back into proper alignment. Looking at the limit switch "fingers" they should be evenly spaced away from the limit switches on both the top AND bottom switches. If either one is out of aignment by even the smallest bit, the motor will cycle every now and then as the gear tension relaxes and the motor kicks back on to raise/lower the headight.

Guys I have this problem too...Can someone please put up some pics???
Please please...I have been inside the headlights before, so I know the parts,
but from the description, it so confusing...

Thanks. I'll try it. Looks like the shim has to be used on the right side of the switch. The left back side of the switch has a circular tab which fits into a hole in the case. That side doesn't seem to have any free play. It's probably the right side that moves slightly. It would explain why the switch works fine sometimes, but cycles every once in awhile.