OK...I thought my drivers side headlight motor might be done for as the headlight does not pop up. Thing is if I manually raise headlight but then turn off lights the pop up retracts as it should...also (very occasionally) I'll be driving and hit a bump and the headlight pops up....so what is the most likely culprit? bad wire? Relay? Motor? I'm not the best at diagnosing these gremlins and a new headlight motor is big bucks...any insight as how to figure out the real issue is appreciated!

 

First thing I'd check is the connector on the headlight actuator. If one of the wires there is damaged, loose, or corroded, you'll get these exact symptoms.

 

if your car is lowered. check under the left fender. I've seen several lowered car where the wheels rub through the fender lining and rub against the wiring harness