So I’m looking at an 84. Dealer says some guy that was looking at the car fiddled with the light motors and now they stay up. If you turn the knob a buncha times that is what happens, right? They don’t go back down...
If I decide to get the car, I will most likely do a repair of the “bushing-mushing” which is probably inside there(did that on most of my previous Fieros) , but if I was to just turn the knob a buncha times, that *should* be all I need to do to make them go down, right?
Gah, I feel like a 45 year old asking how to properly unhook a bra...
Likely has turn knob up And discon the motors. So won't go down after that.
If motor(s) are "dead" the likely propped the HL up And discon the motors. So won't go down after that. And if you connect the motors here... will likely break something. That's if your lucky. Bad Gen1 motors can fry Relay(s), kill the battery or worse.
------------------ 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 Gen 1 headlight motors a were operated by a complex system of relays and switches. The first step would be to test the motors themselves but they are 36 years old and I would start by just removing and rebuilding both of them correctly. Then apply power to test them to make sure that they operate in both directions. The motor relays themselves are not hard to find and I would just replace them as well. After all this is done is time to turn on the headlight switch and see if the headlight motors go up and down. If they do you are home free if not then you will need to check for power at the headlight switch and headlight motor module. Rather than go through the whole process you can find good info on You Tube.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Back in the 90's Oliver Sholtz was the go to guy for Fiero electronics. He put together an extensive headlight motor repair guide that is at the link below. Oliver also explains how the system operates and how to trouble shoot to locate problems. Excellent guide Fiero Headlight Motor Repair
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Motors are still available if you want to upgrade to the 87-88 Fiero version. All you need is the newer headlight harness with Module from the pick & pull (All plug & play) . Then go to RockAuto and buy new or remanufactured motors for the 87 or newer Firebird. You'll have to use the right motor on the left side and vise versa. Corvette of the same vintage will work too. Once you have the parts the job can be done in an hour.
------------------ "Kilgore Trout once wrote a short story which was a dialogue between two pieces of yeast. They were discussing the possible purposes of life as they ate sugar and suffocated in their own excrement. Because of their limited intelligence, they never came close to guessing that they were making champagne." - Kurt Vonnegut
On my 84, if you unplug the 1 wire connector (the one that looks like the oxygen sensor connector), the motors will run the headlights up, but won't put them back down. If you unplug the motors completely, you can just run them up and down manually, faster if you put a pen in one of the holes to spin it. Definitely recommend the Gen 2 conversion.
