I just got done rebuilding a headlight motor for my '86 SE (much more of a pain in the ass than the motors on the '88). When I put it in there and hooked up the square connector the motor started going down very slowly. Hit the headlight motor switch and only the lights turn on and off, the motors don't move. Unplugged the re-built motor, and still the other motor doesn't move. Before I plugged the rebuilt motor in, the good side went up and down just fine. Any ideas? I really, really do not want to take apart that motor again, but if I have to, is there something I possibly missed?

i'll be awake again in about 12 hours.
i'll check back on this thread then ...

Check your relay...

Doesn't Rodney provide a fairly explicit instruction and trouble shooting guide for the Gen. 1 headlight repair?
b

I'm pretty sure my current problem is a relay or a fuse, but I've never messed with the relays on 1st gen headlights. 1st question: where are they? 2nd: how do I fix them? What could cause the relays to suddenly go out like that? A bad connection in the motor I repaired?

Rodney's instructions, unlike those for the 2nd gen, were confusing and were not much help. I had to call a local guy (who has no internet) to ask him how he disassembles the motor. Everything except for getting the gear+shaft out of the case and getting the plastic gear off the shaft was easy. I slid it back together trying to keep everything aligned, I was pretty sure it was all perfect, but you think something slipped? The headlight gear itself works perfectly using the manual knob, it just seems like electrics.

Pointing me to Rodney's instructions does not help. Does anyone have pictures of a disassembled motor, possibly showing how everything should be aligned? Maybe while my memory is still good, and I can remember how mine looked like when I put it back together?

did you read the thread about building the gen 1 motors?
there's a lot of info in it.

EDIT oops, forgot to give you the link
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/068488.html

[This message has been edited by buddycraigg (edited 08-30-2006).]

Hmmmmm. When I rebuilt it, I didn't bother taking off the panel for the limit switches, because one of the bolts broke. I guess I'll have to take it apart again this weekend and rebuild it according to buddy's guide. I do not want to have to drill that out .

one of the three bolts on the cover?

if you can get the cover off you'll probably be ok with just two.

I copied all of Buddy Craig's pictures and instructions, and took them over to my mechanic. Never assume anything......