headlight gear still grinding!
headlight gear still grinding! I replaced my headlight gear, and when I installed the new one, I installed it the same way, sanded the cover down and epoxied it really good. A few days later instead of the gear grinding when I put the headlight down, or when I lock and unlock my doors, having the lights come up and go down then grind, it only grinds when I put my headlights up? That's weird, it is like the complete opposite. I wonder whats wrong? What happened? I didn't bend back the 3 tabs, but I never saw what tabs to bend back? So I am a little confused about the install. I don't know what tabs people are talking about. What do you guys think is the problem? I won't be able to pull it apart until next weekend! I HATE these damn headlights, makes me wish I had my camaro still. I am thinking about just getting a whole new motor, don't know how much that will cost, or wait and save up for some fixed headlights, do they make any for the TA, that looks decent? For now I need to fix my light though, I have another gear, but I don't what to install it and have it go it 3 days. Thanks.
Originally Posted by Red91vette
I replaced my headlight gear, and when I installed the new one, I installed it the same way, sanded the cover down and epoxied it really good. A few days later instead of the gear grinding when I put the headlight down, or when I lock and unlock my doors, having the lights come up and go down then grind, it only grinds when I put my headlights up? That's weird, it is like the complete opposite. I wonder whats wrong? What happened? I didn't bend back the 3 tabs, but I never saw what tabs to bend back? So I am a little confused about the install. I don't know what tabs people are talking about. What do you guys think is the problem? I won't be able to pull it apart until next weekend! I HATE these damn headlights, makes me wish I had my camaro still. I am thinking about just getting a whole new motor, don't know how much that will cost, or wait and save up for some fixed headlights, do they make any for the TA, that looks decent? For now I need to fix my light though, I have another gear, but I don't what to install it and have it go it 3 days. Thanks.
gmpartsdirect.com and click on the catalog tab and you'll find what you need.
So did you have to buy new brass gears then install them the same way you did before but install a new actuator as well? Did that solve the problem or did you install the gear differently, better? I couldn't get the catalog to work at gmpartsdirect.com how much does it cost? I can order that thru my brothers shop. I am about to just break down and buy a whole new motor, hopefully that will solve my problems, but this is a first i've heard about the actuator having anything to do with it.
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
I bet if your unhing the arm from the motor, manually crank the motor 180 degrees, and then reattach the arm your problems would be fixed. Its a pain the first few times but I could get in there and do this procedure in 45 mins, and Im no mechanic by far. Well 192 bucks is a bit of scratch....
Here is the part numbers however gmpartsdirect looks pretty online only, I didnt see a phone number.
Actuator, Headlamp L 16516653
Actuator, Headlamp R 16516654
Here is the part numbers however gmpartsdirect looks pretty online only, I didnt see a phone number.
Actuator, Headlamp L 16516653
Actuator, Headlamp R 16516654
How do you know when you've gone 180 degrees? meaning half a rotation of that ****? I think your talking about using the other side of the gear that never gets touched? But I already installed a new gear, so something isn't right with this install. I am about to break down and buy some sort of fixed headlights, I hate these damn flip up lights! I don't know what the hell I am going to do, probably end up buying a new motor, if that doesn't work, then the actuator. This sucks!
I just searched that part number you gave, that includes the motor and actuator arm? For 162.80 I wonder if that will solve all my problems, I will have to look into my brother buying it for me from his shop, see if I can't get it any cheaper. I hate this friggin lights!
I just searched that part number you gave, that includes the motor and actuator arm? For 162.80 I wonder if that will solve all my problems, I will have to look into my brother buying it for me from his shop, see if I can't get it any cheaper. I hate this friggin lights!
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Well when you unhing the arm, you will notice its notched out so it will only allow the fit in a certain direction. Manually spin the motor to flip that. I hate to see anyone spend that kinda scratch on a overpriced motor. Also you might use there cataloge for your car specifically, I used it for my 1998 Fbird. Tell ya what. Ill trade ya cars. That way you will not have any more headlight problems 
look at sticky #2 in vehicle specific forum firebird 1967-2002.The guy that makes the gear has pics of the tabs and lots of other info.He says that the brass gear will strip if you don't check other things also which he lists.May help!
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
