Popup headlights

[REMOVED USER]

Does anyone know how to fix a headlight that won't come up when turned on? Sometimes it does and other times it starts to but then stops and drops back down.

[REMOVED USER]

Electrical problem start at light motor disconnect pigtail, put a volt meter on it and find. Ground,power up and power down. If power is continuos up and down, motor is shot. If power turns off prematurely on either cycle relay is shorted. Check to make sure relay has continous power also could be a short before relay. You will spend time on this. If you don't have the proper equipment and experience don't bother you might spike something else and get yourself into deeper trouble.

[REMOVED USER]

Hi there,

I have 2 GTA's that had the same problem. This problem went on till the lights did not come up no more. Inside the accuators there are plastic gears and clutches. You will need to get Re-built ones. New ones cost 140.00 each. Rebuilt ones cost 70.00 each. If you are skilled you can buy a rebuilt kit for 29.95. This kit will do both headlights. T/A's all have this problem. Thats why you see alot with the headlights up.

[REMOVED USER]

Who makes the rebuild kits for the headlight motors?

[REMOVED USER]

You may not need to rebuild the motors or anything. This problem happened to my GTA. There is a headlight actuator that mounts to the firewall. This is the part that "tells" the headlights to move up and down. When mine went, I just removed it and then replaced it with one from a base model Firebird that I owned at the time. I am sure you can find one at any junkyard. They seem to be interchangeable between years as well. I am using the headlight actuator in my '91 GTA that came out of a '92 Firebird..

[REMOVED USER]

I think that I can offer some words of wisdom to this problem. Inside those electric motors are those tiny plastic beads. Over time, they turn into powder and no longer work like they ought to. Instead of rebuilding them with expensive kits, use No. 8 Birdshot from a 12 gague shotgun. The LEAD pellets (not steel)work great. I have done this to my 88 GTA twice in each light, and they work perfectly. The pellets are usually good for about a year, then you need to replace them again. Hope this helps you all out.

Jesse

[REMOVED USER]

Just last night I did the bird shot trick in one of my headlights. Just as before, they work like brand new. I took some pictures of the process and will hopefully have them available through email sometime soon. If you would like to see them, email me and I will try to get the pictures to you with directions of the process of how to do it.

Jesse

[REMOVED USER]

Dear 57GTA15, you hav said e-mail you but your e-mail address is not available on your profile.
I would be very interested in seeing pics of your modification if it works but can't contact you?
Thanx

[REMOVED USER]

JEFLIES@AOL.COM is my email address.

[REMOVED USER]

I GUESS I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY HEADLIGHTS SO WHERE CAN U GET A REBUILD KIT FOR 30.00... PLEASE LET ME KNOW BECAUSE THAT WOULD SAVE ME ALOT OF MONEY AND EVRY ONE ELSE TO IM SURE....

[REMOVED USER]

THIS IS DAVID I'M A NEW MEMBER TO THIS AND I HAVE ALREADY GOT ALOT OF INFO...THANKS TO 57GTA15 I GOT MY HEADLIGHTS TO WORK AGAIN BY USING THE 12 GAUGE BIRDSHOT.....I WAS THINKING NOWAY IT WOULD WORK BUT TAKE IT FROM ME IT DOES I JUST DID IT TONIGHT.....AND SO FAR SO GOOD.....THANKS FOR ALL THE INFO 57GTA15......