what's the deal with my headlights??
04-20-2006, 07:38 PM
#1
what's the deal with my headlights?? I went out to my car today (98TransAm) and I pushed the unlock button on the key fob and the headlights popped up and then went back down, and I was like WTF? that never happens. But then after they shut the passenger side motor made a grinding sound that lasted about 10 seconds.... then shut off. Again, I was like WTF is going on here?.... and now every time the I unlock or lock the car with the key fob the lights come up and go down and then make the grinding sound, and i have no freakin idea why. The motor works just fine when i am turning the lights on and off.... it's just when it goes down and sits there it makes that grinding sound for about 10 seconds then shuts off.... does anyone have any idea why it's doing this? The lights never popped up and then down before when i pressed lock or unlock on the key fob, and i know the grinding isnt normal. Please help! thanks!
sounds like a short in the wires 
04-20-2006, 10:24 PM
#4
JerseyLS1TA, I dont think that the 180 temp fix is the problem.... I dont think that the gear is stripped because i can sit there all day long and raise and lower the headlights with the headlight switch. It's just afterwards, after it lowers it will sit there and grind for a bit, but then again... I could be wrong. Like rino1301 said, I am leaning towards a corroded connector or short. shorts and corrosion can do some funny *** things! Any other ideas?
04-20-2006, 10:45 PM
#5
TECH Veteran
Originally Posted by 98RedBird
I pushed the unlock button on the key fob and the headlights popped up and then went back down, and I was like WTF? that never happens. But then after they shut the passenger side motor made a grinding sound that lasted about 10 seconds.... then shut off.
Originally Posted by 98RedBird
I dont think that the gear is stripped
That is a very common symptom of the gears being on the verge of getting to the point of more grinding, or failing entirely. There have been lots of threads about people having the headlights go up and down when they use their keyfob, and IIRC the answer has just about always been that their gears/motors were starting to wear out.
04-20-2006, 11:07 PM
#7
TECH Veteran
Originally Posted by 98RedBird
but why would the gears being stripped make the headlights go up and down when i push the key fob?? im sorry, that just doesnt make sense to me
Explanation:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/wiring-stereo-electronics/207405-stock-trans-am-alarm-keyless-entry-help.html
Originally Posted by WhiteBird00
That is probably not a problem with the alarm. The alarm system is designed to make sure the headlights are closed when arming. When you have a stripped gear in the motor the alarm system doesn't get the correct resistance when checking that the headlights are closed so it opens and closes them to make sure. Fixing the stripped gear will take care of the problem.
BTW, there is no setting you can program on the alarm that will make it open the headlights. Your settings aren't being changed - it's just the alarm over-reacting to the headlight gear problem.
BTW, there is no setting you can program on the alarm that will make it open the headlights. Your settings aren't being changed - it's just the alarm over-reacting to the headlight gear problem.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-maintenance-repairs/312996-headlight-motor-help.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/pontiac-firebird-1967-2002/177345-headlights-flip-up-down-when-keyless-entry-used.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/pontiac-firebird-1967-2002/220648-ws6-headlight-issue.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-maintenance-repairs/99993-firebird-headlight-lid-probablem.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-maintenance-repairs/326436-headlamp-gear.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/wiring-stereo-electronics/99194-anyone-ever-have-problem.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-maintenance-repairs/175020-keyless-entry-question.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-maintenance-repairs/352469-strange-headlight-problem.html
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04-20-2006, 11:39 PM
#8
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Fixing the headlight motor will correct the problem with the lights going up and down when you lock/unlock the doors via the keyfob. I just had to fix both of my headlight motors. I had the same exact symptoms that you describe. Once I fixed them, the headlight now operate properly. Trust us on this one. Fix the motor and all will be good, until the other headlight motor gear strips.
04-21-2006, 02:00 AM
#10
TECH Veteran
Originally Posted by 98RedBird
lol... well i will give it a try. I DO trust you guys, really I do and i also appreciate the help, I just want to understand that's all. I will fix them tomorrow, and I'll bet that you guys are right! Thanks Again!
