any idea what to look for when the motor isn't working?

it was working but I had to replace the 3 plastic cylinder thingies on the passenger side, I couldn't figure out how to disassemble it without separating the motor, now it doesn't work.

I've rebuilt starter motors before, so I know what to look for, but there does not seem to be anything wrong with this, pretty simple and straightforward. I have even plugged it into the driver side side to see if it worked, no go. Yes, driver side works.

I'd guess either you have a bush wrong or hung up or motor shaft to tight and binding. Or a broken wire.
Have you tried applying power directly to the motor.

[This message has been edited by Dodgerunner (edited 06-29-2012).]

See my cave, gen 2 hl motor in lighting section.

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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 (It's also at the top and bottom of every forum page...)

quote Originally posted by Dodgerunner: I'd guess either you have a bush wrong or hung up or motor shaft to tight and binding. Or a broken wire. Have you tried applying power directly to the motor.

I took another look at it and the brushes seem fine and no broken wire or binding
I plugged the motor into the other side, which I know works, and nothing.
I even tried spinning the motor and still no go

Have you tried appling power directly to the motor instead of through the module and see if runs?

it works now, sort of

if you look at the motor there is no spring pushing the brushes against the armature, that is good in that it makes assembly easy, but bad that the brushes might not contact the armature. After taking t apart and wiping the parts clean I noticed that so carefully put it together and the motor works, I think the brushes were not moving to a position close to the armature, but putting everything back together the motor only lifted the light 3/4 way

so I manually raised the light and figured enough for now, then after turning the lights on, then later off, the lights popped down, testing shows it sometimes raises, sometimes not, sometimes part way

if anybody has suggestions I am all ears, but I am mentally exhausted right now, this Fiero is turning me more and more from a lifelong Pontiac lover to if I never own one again, I'll be fine

[This message has been edited by ZaraSpOOk (edited 07-03-2012).]

There should be springs on both bushes pushing them out. Did they get lost?
Those are what make it a pain to put the motor back together. Usually have to form a retainer out of a paper clip to hold them in while you put the armature back in.

maybe there are springs pushing the brushes in on the earlier model motors, but not on the 88