The problem:86 SE (1st gen headlight motors)
After motor rebuild, headlight motors moved in opposite directions. Circut breaker tripped and now neither one moves. Headlight relay is now melted. Fuse gets noticably hot after just a mile. (Yes I keep the fuse out when not in use)
The story:
For 2 years both headlight motors worked correctly.
2 months ago, the passenger headlight motor would keep spinning when the headlights went down. For 2 months I pulled the fuse (yellow 20 amp, second from right, closest row to rear) every time I wanted the lights off. Research said the nylon gear was most likely stripped and to buy a replacement from RD.
At the 20th, I bought my nylon gear.
I took my car to the shop I used to work at to get the radiator replaced and get some help getting the motor rebuilt. Rebuilding seemed easier then instructions implied. Needed no pulling tools, everything came apart easily. Nylon gear was stripped and usual green chunks were everywhere. All was cleaned, greased, and all that good stuff.
Motor went back together fine, was wired up but did not have arm reconnected. Motor spun correctly (I thought). Once arm was connected, headlights would go in opposite directions. The newly rebuilt motor was going the wrong direction. It was also waiting a good 30-60 seconds before motor would move in opposite direction. Headlight was occasionally dimming as if noticable power drain was occuring.
Opposite direction of travel was tested multiple times. Arm was disconnected and reconnected multiple times. Every time it would take 30-60 seconds before it moved.
Pass side and drivers side relays swapped. Drivers side continued to work as normal and pass side stopped working. Headlight dimming got more consistent. Pass side refused to move anywhere. Pass motor would occasionally spin for half a second and then stop as if a circut breaker cooled, reset, and immediately tripped again.
Drivers side worked correctly for 24 hours, and then it stopped moving too. Manually cranked both motors up and disconnected blue wires on both. Noticable plastic melting smell 24 hours after rebuild led me to find the melted relay.
The questions:
Only one motor was rebuilt. The drivers side motor was not changed except for trading of relays. Why would the pass side motor travel the wrong direction?
Are the main headlight motor relays the same? The loner hanging from the inside of the drivers fender was never touched. I assume the melted relay has a short right in it. I guess I am junkyard hunting for a new connector as well.
Recommended course of action?
Thanks all.
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Most comments are opinion of the author and are fair targets for corrections/critisim. :P
Andrew
White86SEV6Auto
[This message has been edited by andguent (edited 08-02-2003).]
