So after I replaced my bumper, my right headlight wouldn't open up for some reason. The light was on in the inside, but it was kind of dark.

Thinking I'd need to manually open the light and take the motor out to check the relay and wiring, I started to turn the manual opening ****.

But then the **** starting spinning like crazy, and the light opened and closed.

And now it works.

WTF just happened?

 

Either the motor had a dead spot or it jammed up. It will probably be fine.

Dale

 

i'm not sure how the headlights work, because they are so reliable, but there seems to be some kind of open/closed switch, and when you move it by hand its no longer open/closed so it turns the motor on.

i'm sure it'll be fine as long as its not jammed, that will kill it

 

Does the FD just have really badly fitted headlight covers, or is it just my car? The stock bumper is interfering with them at some places, and there are huge gaps in other places.

There's also a massive gap between my bumper and my (aftermarket) hood.

OTOH, I did have to fix my covers, but I'm pretty sure my JB weld repairs didn't change fitment...

 

The headlights themselves can be adjusted from the frame. You can move them slightly to get it to fit better. Only problem is you won't really be able to tell because you have to reassemble everything. You can move them put the headlight cover back on without tightening to see gap/fitment.
Gap wise I've never had a problem with OEM headlight covers. (2 sets of my own, one flew off, ordered 2 new ones from dealer) and friends.

 

How many bolts hold the headlight assembly down? I've found three, plus what look like two adjustment screws, but it still won't move.

 

Off the top of my head I believe 3 looking from the top (easy ones), one below in the cavity where the headlight retracts. Headlights should be up to see this one. I can access it by removing the turn signal.

 

Turns out you only need to undo the two bolts and nuts on top to adjust the position.

 

Be careful. My headlight cover flew off on the freeway before. I heard this is common on some of them

 

Yeah, I know. I learned the hard way to never put your hands on the headlights while working on an FD.

After 20 years, that plastic is FRAGILE. JB weld will do the trick, though.

Put a coat on all the surfaces of the reinforcements and they should be less likely to break to begin with, too.