When I turned off the headlights on my car last night, I was greeted by the lovely sounds of grinding gears from the headlamp motor.
Berkley.
Time for a GRM fix. Its too cold and expensive to buy and install new parts.
This doesn't work on all models, but it fixed my 2000 Firebird. Works on Fieros too IIRC.
Raise headlamp manually
Remove actuator arm from shaft
manually spin motor untill shaft turns 180 degrees
put arm back on
manually turn motor untill lamp is down
cycle lamps to ensure proper operation.
There are 2 gears inside, 1 large plastic gear that the actuator arm hooks to, and a small worm gear on the motor. Over time the plastic gear wears out, but only on one side. It only moves 180 degrees to open/close the lights. This process spins the gear around and now you are using the unworn side!
C4 Corvettes and 3rd gen Firebirds require removing and taking the motors apart. They don't tend to wear out gears, but there are little plastic 'pucks' inside that degrade and crumble. They can be replaced with nylon rod for pennies and put back together.
Always allow pop-ups!
