Dodgy Headlight

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Dodgy Headlight

Postby Phill.e » Thu 25.01.2007, 21:22

Hi everbody,

Can anybody tell me the reason one off the headlights on my elan won't go up. The motor lifts it a little but then it drops so i have to catch it and then pull it up, also when i turn the lights off and they drop the motor seems to over run.
I,m totally crap with mechanics so please keep it simple

Thanks Phil.
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Postby GeoffSmith » Thu 25.01.2007, 21:38

Phil,

The simple answer is "the gears are f***ed".

Do a search on "headlamp AND motor" and you'll find such gems as this.

It's not a difficult job and there are plenty of people here to give advise should you need it.

Geoff

PS Welcome to LEC!
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Postby dapinky » Thu 25.01.2007, 21:55

geoffsmith - with failing faculties wrote:PS Welcome to LEC!


I see you joined a while ago (forgive, Geoff, he's going blind, not bad for a 65 year old!) but have not posted before!

Therefore, welcome to the posting side of the forum! :-D :-D

On a serious note, there are threads that tell you how to do the replacement of the plastic/nylon gears, it's not a difficult job, but a couple of things to keep in mind -

[1] You do not need to remove the motors to replace the gears.
[2] The right hand side is easier to get at than the left (or is it the other way round? I suppose it depends which way your facing!) :smt017
[3] AB motorsports is a good supplier, used by many on the site.
[4] It will be easier to do the change of gears if you have 6" long double-jointed fingers. Failing that, allow enough time and have patience!

Good luck. :smt023
Dave

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...oh, and a 2006 Freelander destined for the jungles of The Gambia - 4500 miles across roads, desert and tracks - what could possibly go wrong?
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Postby donsladek » Sun 28.01.2007, 04:17

Hi, Phil,

Here's a link to the repair page:

Headlight Motor Repair

If you're in the 'states, www.rodneydickman.com has repair parts - these motors were used on 87-88 Pontiac Fieros.

Don Sladek
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Postby TheBard » Sun 28.01.2007, 17:18

This isn't a difficult job to do, and even a complete mechanical numpty like me managed to repair both in short order.

[1] You do not need to remove the motors to replace the gears.

Can you let me know how to do it without removing the light pod motors, both write ups state that you do... but the right (from inside the car) is easier as you don't need to dismantle the lightpod mounts to get it out.
I found it takes far longer to get the wheelarch liner out to give access to the pod motor mount nuts, than it does to actually do the repair. I reckon the best write up can be found here and Rodney Dickman can supply the parts quickly and cheaply.

Best of luck,
Ian
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Postby Ekapol » Thu 01.02.2007, 03:33

I was lucky enough to have a chance playing with the left side: CLICK ME! :-D
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Postby Phill.e » Sat 17.02.2007, 10:25

Thanks for the advice lads, i did what the lad from portugal did useing glue sticks and it worked a treat.
Getting the the thing of under the wing was the hardest bit but my neighbour took over so i didn't fight him for the job :wink: and it only cost me a couple of pints mint or what :D
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