So my passenger side headlight pops up only quarter way, and then is stuck there. I want to access the retractor motor, not sure how to get to it or the best way. I have read this and that and need a definite answer. Thanks.

 

Your car have a year?

 

yeah 87 gxl

 

There's a way of cranking it open from the bottom. The plastic cover could be out of alignment and causing it to open only part way. Once you pull off the plastic housing you should have access.

 

I cranked it manually. Still would only go up halfway. But which housing are you talking about

 

Satch is referring to the two black plastic bezel pieces that surround the headlight bulb, each attached with four self-tapping screws. I have the same issue on my car too (go figure ). If it creeps up as you're manually cranking, then 'clicks' back down a hair, one of the motor assembly's internal gears have a couple teeth stripped. What caused it on my car is the bucket chronically getting caught on the hood.

To illustrate the behavior better, try taking the cap off of a 2-liter of Coca-Cola. As you un-thread it, everything is normal up to a point where it drops back down. It does this because there's no threads to catch on at that point. The headlight is doing the same thing. Unfortunately, no one currently sells replacement gears that I'm aware of yet.

To get you going in the meantime, try GENTLY pushing up on the headlight cover while cranking it, so it will get past the gear's missing teeth. You'll have to leave the headlights raised (leave the Headlight Cleaner switch ON) untill you can get a new motor though, but at least you'll be able to drive at night legally.

 

I just am going to keep retractor fuse out for now amd have the lights cranked halfway up for the so called "sleepy look" haha but thanks guys for the advice.