Time for a new headlight motor?

[Redbird]

When I came home tonight and went to turn off my headlights, they closed fine, but there was a bad grinding noise coming from the passenger side headlight. I turned them on again, and they open just fine, but when they close it sounds like something grinding behind the headlight. Then when I pressed my lock button on my keychain, they both popped open and closed again, still grinding. Sound like its time for a new headlight motor or would this be something else?

[SVD]

I had the same noise a few years ago. It's the headlight motor. Be prepared, it's not cheap!

[95Batmobile]

it's not the motor, it's this gay little gear in there that ALWAYS gets stripped. I bet 80% of f-bodys get that stupid problem... they make a bronze or metal gear for it now (I wish they made it when mine messed up), I am sure somebody else will post with the address where you can get the gear... I don't know the address.
You can fix it yourself too, not that hard to take off, there are a few online guides.

[white96six]

my wife drives a 93 firebird and the light motors stay on after the lights have already gone down for like three seconds. it is sort of loud is this normal? if not what does it mean? I was told that it was normal but it doesnt seem right. thanks.

[95Batmobile]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by white96six:
my wife drives a 93 firebird and the light motors stay on after the lights have already gone down for like three seconds. it is sort of loud is this normal? if not what does it mean? I was told that it was normal but it doesnt seem right. thanks.<hr></blockquote>

It's normal in a way, meaning its normal for our cars to do that.
It is the same thing I said up above, stripped headlight motor gear. Like 1 little tooth is missing and causes it to do that. There is a metal replacement.

[Justin Kirkham]

This just happened to me. There are two fixes for it: A free temporary one, and a fix which costs $45, but will fix the problem forever. The temporary fix is to rotate the gear in the motor 180*, the permanent fix is to buy metal gears, for about $45 a piece. This is far cheaper than going to the dealership, as they will charge $200 for a temporary fix on one light. The link with all the info?
http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/headlightfix/

-Justin

[StegsRide]

my passenger side headlamp wont move at all. it has been gradually been getting worse now it just wont move. light comes on though. motor? or is the gear striped?

[John D.]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by StegsRide:
my passenger side headlamp wont move at all. it has been gradually been getting worse now it just wont move. light comes on though. motor? or is the gear striped?<hr></blockquote>

You should be able to hear if the motor is turning or not. It may have just worn the gear completely out, that's why it's not grinding any longer. If you don't hear the motor running then it probably needs replaced. If you can you should be able to just fix the gear.