Fixing Headlights (they don't rotate)

[Alfonso Gomez]

When I bought my 87 Coupe, the headlights were in the open position. The guy I bought it from said he bought it like that and did not bother to fix them. I took the motor out of the driver's side headlight and connected it to the battery and the motor turned, so I guess the problem is not the motor. I was told that there is a control module of some sort for operating the headlights but have been unable to find it. Before I take everyting apart, I would like some advise on how to go about making this work. My wife says that the open headlights look awful and detract from the car's styling. Anybody has done this? Is it a job a person without much knowledge of the car's electric system and no testing instruments can do? Or is it a job for a pro?

 

[Magmotor]

It could be a number of items associated with the system. I suggest without the knowledge and especially the test equipment that you take it to someone who has both....hopefully by now you have the problem fixed and the wife is happy...:dance.....

 

[Tuna]

It is possible that the gears in one or both are stripped thus not rotating the headlights and the previous owners just disconnected the motor wires or pulled fuses to stop the head light rotation.

I'd start there first. If you find a pulled fuse or disconnected wires, you have a place to start.

If the motors work, the gears will have to be replaced. MidAmerica, Ecklers, etc. sell gear replacement kits that work well.

Let us know what you find out.

 

[Alfonso Gomez]

Hello, Tuna. The gears are OK, the fuse is OK. The motors work when I connect them to a power source (12volts). Power does not seem to get to the motors.

 

[Eagle85C4]

You may have a problem with the headlight relays....

 

[Tuna]

That would be my next guess also.

 

[drmusic]

I had the same problem with my '90 when I bought it. I replaced the relay and it has been working fine since!

The relay is a square flat-like module in the front left well by the horn. Of course since I bought mine from a junkyard and it was a rebuilder - who knows where that thing is supposed to go?

I don't think the relay was real expensive either.

Good luck!
Scott

 

[SpaceGoat]

Having the same problem with my 86, My right headlight wont rotate. I drive around with a winking' vette, its awful Im gonna take a look at it sometime next week hopefully.