headlight trouble
 

i'm having trouble locating the problem with my headlight not closing all of the way. the left headlight does not retract to its fully closed position. upon inspection of the rods i found no bending of the rods, bad bushings or obstructions. when i turn the headlight motor manually, the headlight exhibits the same problem. any ideas as to what would prevent it from closing fully? here are some pics:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...f/DSC06272.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...f/DSC06271.jpg

yeah i know the car is filthy. its been sitting in the workshop since july. i work on the car every chance i get.

i think it wants to drift.






I really don't know, you're sure nothing is getting stuck?

:eek: holy car collection Batman!!

i'm actually up to 13 cars. i have my list here which is:
80 Leather Sport 61K solar gold. 5spd. all original.
84 GSL 55K sunbeam silver 5spd
85 S 162K tender blue 5spd
85 GS 150K ocean blue 5spd
88 10AE 96K-new engine in
88 TII 144K brilliant black
63 Falcon 170 3spd Wimbleton White 99K

plus i have:
84 GSL 113K 5spd
95 Ranger 208K 5spd
93 Camry SE 191K 5spd
92 Camry SE 123K 5spd
88 F-150 184K 5spd
89 Nissan Hardbody 131K 5spd

no drifting for me

anything in particular i can look for?

anyone experience this issue before?

i can't think of anything. Maybe the motor is old and worn? Maybe the plastic light surround is getting jammed?

worst case scenario: you pull off the bumper and look at the mechanism head on and see where it is jamming.

i pulled the shrouds off of the light and operated it manually and everything seems like it works as it should with no binding. this is a really baffeling situation!

do you check the motor stops?? Is one adjustable bolt with a rubber pad under the headlight. You will see from under the car.

i'll have a look at that. under the car you say? are you talking about the rubber nub that rests on top of the bolt that threads into the nut that is welded to the core support behind the headlight bucket?

exactly. Turn the knob until you get the proper height.

i'll check that out tomorrow!!!

you could also disconnect the rod that connects to the motor and then try turning the motor, as well as moving the headlight up and down by hand. That way you can tell if it's either the motor or the linkage, etc.

Brian

i'll give that a look as well while i'm in there. i'm going to take the shroud off and be very watchful of the linkage and the stop.

doesnt even touch the stop

any other advice would be most appreciated!!!!

could the motor have jumped a tooth?

here are some more pics:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...f/DSC06328.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...f/DSC06329.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...f/DSC06330.jpg

Thanks for the pictures (But you might want to shrink them down a little bit).

Check the actual movement of the motor. When you do it manually does the motor swing all the way through (do not just go half way and then turn it the other way). If it doesn't do a full revolution your motor piece is fubard. If it does with out problem then you have a bent bar or at the very least an incorrect bar. Also check to make sure the arm of the motor is connected and aligned correctly. If it's not then the motor itself may be fine, but it's only pulling down to a specific angle instead of straight down.

Just somethings to check.

the linkages are all ok and not bent or obstructed. i'll check on the motor's rotation tomorrow(today actually)

Like mentioned disconnect it from the motor and see if it goes down fine, if does the maybe it jumped a tooth like you mentioned :)

its probably the spot where its held onto the motor itself. i had this problem when i swapped headlight motors. i had to put the headlights in the down position(switch), and then re-tighten the nut that holds it to the motor so that it was in the full down position when the switch was down. if you noticed it when you flipped the switch up, if it goes up all the way, and then down a little bit, its this exact problem.

what is held on with the nut are you talking about?

The arm on the motor is held on by a single nut. Sometimes the nut comes loose causing the arm to alter angle and become lodged.

The linkages on the Motor to the headlight Have Plastic Bushings that are located at the Pivot points of the linkage.If they are Busted or Off the Ball where they connect,the Lights will either Not go up all the way,Or Close all the way.

the linkages and bushings are all good. no slop at all. i will have to check the nut on the arm. didt know it was a common problem.