problem with my flip up lights
problem with my flip up lights Alright, here's my problem. I just got home and turned off my lights and I heard a loud sound coming from the driver's side light. I thought maybe my lights wouldn't go down but it did. Every time I turn off my lights the motor on the driver's side makes a loud *** sound. I noticed some water in my high beams. I'm thinking there's water in the motor of the flip up lights, but here's something that gets me too. everytime I turn off my alarm or turn it on, my lights flip up and than go back down. What the hell is the problem? I'm sure I need a new motor, but will that prevent my lights from flipping up and down when I active my alarm. Plus give me a web site I can order a motor for real cheap. Any help is appriciated. 
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 208
From: Eastern MA
The search button can really help you here.
Anyway...
Its not the motor but the gear in the motor. The gear is plastic and stripped. You can spin it to the other unused side of the gear or replace it with a brass one. The water in the bulbs is from the crappy bulbs that GM has been dishing out (I got some too). Just buy new bulbs. The reason the lights go up and down when you activate the alarm is because the alarm tries to make sure that the lights are down. The car knows the lights are closed by the resistance (the lights cant go any lower). If the gear is stripped, it spins past and tries again.
Here is some more info:
http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/headlightfix/
* At the top are replacement metal gears
* Scroll down for the free 180* mod
Anyway...
Its not the motor but the gear in the motor. The gear is plastic and stripped. You can spin it to the other unused side of the gear or replace it with a brass one. The water in the bulbs is from the crappy bulbs that GM has been dishing out (I got some too). Just buy new bulbs. The reason the lights go up and down when you activate the alarm is because the alarm tries to make sure that the lights are down. The car knows the lights are closed by the resistance (the lights cant go any lower). If the gear is stripped, it spins past and tries again.
Here is some more info:
http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/headlightfix/
* At the top are replacement metal gears
* Scroll down for the free 180* mod
Thanks Vip1. I did look around first but I didn't think it was the gear. Everone says that it makes a grinding sound when the gear is stripped. Mine sounds more like a loud buzzer so I assumed that wasn't the problem. As for the lights, well, your explaination makes sense. I feel a lot more at peace now. Oh, and you're not lying about GM's lights. They are crap. I've had so many problems with them. I'm going to take the motor apart tomorrow and check out the gear. Hopefully your right. I'd much rather spend 40 buck than 100. Oh by the way, does anyone know why my brake lights don't work. I've changed the fuse and the bulbs and still no results. Sometimes they work and a lot of the time they don't. It seems light anytime my wipers are acting up, my light are too.
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 208
From: Eastern MA
Try the free 180* mod first. If that fixes your problem, then you can invest in metal gears. That way if you are still having problems afterward and need to replace the motors, you havent wasted any money on the current ones.
The other issues sound like a wirring fault. Check the sockets and grounds. Clean out the corrosion and tighten coneections. Look for damaged wires. Check all the fuses too.
The other issues sound like a wirring fault. Check the sockets and grounds. Clean out the corrosion and tighten coneections. Look for damaged wires. Check all the fuses too.
AHHH! Success! 
Thanks VIP1, you were right. I turned the gear 180 degrees and changed the high beam light and everything works properly again. It going to suck having to go back next week and and take everything apart to install the brass gears on both lights, but oh well.
Thanks VIP1, you were right. I turned the gear 180 degrees and changed the high beam light and everything works properly again. It going to suck having to go back next week and and take everything apart to install the brass gears on both lights, but oh well. 
