Headlight motors

[jeff84red]

Hi,

I purchased a 1989 Formula for my 16 yr old son so the two of us can play. Its a one owner car with 228k miles, 5 speed, WS6, etc. The guy took decent care of it but we are going through it nose to tail fixing , replacing what he didnt. So far we have replaced shocks, clutch, master/slave cyclinders, valve cover gaskets, heater core, water pump, plugs, wires, cap, module, belts, most of the emission sensors and hood latch. I am leaving the engine alone as it shoots out the typical puff of smoke only when started. Paint is glossy with a few nicks from wear. We are in search of the following parts and would appreciate any help.

1. Both headlights turn on and motors spin but lights only lift up half way. i suspect the gears are stripped?

2. Seat belt guides are worn out and looking for both passenger and driver.

3. T-Top seals

4. Original decals - car was painted in 97 and he left off the decals. Jr wants them back on.


Previous vehicles:

69, 70 1/2, 81, 95 Z28 (convert)
74, 78, 98 camaro
73 t/a (S/D), 87, 88 Formula 5.7
84 vette - Z51

Plus an endless line up of sedans, minivans etc

Current

1999 Mustang GT with 2002 Cobra engine, trans, shifter, rims, suspension, Brembo 4 piston calipers, cross drilled rotors, Roush front/rear shocks and bushign kit, superchip with mini pc controller,,,,plus more goodies

Thanks in advance for reading and any parts help for the birs would be appreciated

[FormulaLT1]

Both headlights only go up halfway?. Thats odd, must be something commen between the two of them to do that. Like a relay or a stop because one is misadjusted and thinks its hit the full open position.

[hotrod_chevyz]

I agree with John. If they both go up and then stop at the same exact point, i would guess its a relay or some kind of adjustment problem too.


Under the hood on the headlight motor you will see a round wheel looking thing that spins when you hit the headlight switch. Up spins it one way, down spins it the other. This is a place you can manually move the headlight up and down as long as the battery is unhooked or the relay has been removed. Note wich direction raises it and wich lowers it. Disconnect the battery and turn the thing by hand or get a phillips screwdriver and see if you can hand crank the motor all the way up and down. Remember that if you do this with the battery hooked up and the relays in, the motor will put up a fight and not let you adjust it yourself. If the motors will go up and down all the way by turning the wheel looking thing, then chances are its not the motors hanging up. Heres what to do next.

On that model, each headlight motor has a relay attached to it hanging on a clip. They are out of view and the headlight motor will have to be removed to get to them. They are attached to the headlight motor, unless they have already been unclipped. Find the relays and carefully remove the relay cover and have yourself a look inside the relay. I bet they are rusty and crusty inside. They cost about 15 bucks each and its best to change them as a set. My T/A actually has three of the relays, one on each headlight motor assembly, and another mounted on the engine side of the radiator support right in front of the battery. Check for this one first cause its a lot easier to get to than the ones attached to the headlight motors.

[jeff84red]

Thanks for all the help. I ended up purchasing 2 used motors from E-bay and all is well. The gears in each of the old assemblies disintegrated.

Jeff