1967 Headlights will not turn

[Joseph U.]

I have a 1967 and can not get the headlights to rotate into the open position. I have cleaned the switch and when activated there is drain on the battery and I can hear the motor start then it just stops (as if it hit the stop and stopped).
Both headlights not just one. Possible I suspect but for both motors to go bad at the same time would be unusual I would think.
Any ideas on how to trouble shoot this issue.
Thanks,
JoeU

[Joseph U.]

Re: 1967 Headlights will not turn

Just found the Thread from November 2012 - I will follow that for now - sounds like the same problem, Lights turn on but will not rotate.
Sure would like to diagnose the problem before just taking the motors out.
Will keep all posted.
Joe

[Bob H.]

Re: 1967 Headlights will not turn

Joe. don't know the thread but it sounds like a ground problem. I think the fire wall connector is also a good place to look.

[Joseph U.]

Re: 1967 Headlights will not turn

Thanks Bob,
Sounds like a good place to start - I will also check the ground connections of the motor to the support grommets.
Joe

[Paul J.]

Re: 1967 Headlights will not turn

If the motors run at all it is not a ground. Either the motors are dirty and the grease is hard, or the motors are weak and need to be rebuilt, or the shaft or balls are binding. Both motors need to come out, and if they're not it, the bucket has come out.

[Joseph U.]

Re: 1967 Headlights will not turn

Thanks Paul,
Do the motors turn together - what I mean is if one is stopped will the other open the headlight or close the headlight - or if one is stuck are they both stuck?
Joe

[Paul J.]

Re: 1967 Headlights will not turn

Yes, they work independently of each other. Usually, one will fail before the other, but I've seen them both go about the same time. After all, they're both exposed to the same weather conditions.

[Joseph U.]

Re: 1967 Headlights will not turn

Thanks Paul,
When they fail - do they just go silent - or do they make noise but just not rotate the lights?

[Paul J.]

Re: 1967 Headlights will not turn

When I've seen them fail, they will begin to turn increasingly slowly, then eventually not at all. When you activate the motors, there is a noticable drain on the electric syatem, and you can see this in the courtesy lights. When they no longer move the drain will still be there, as you noticed before. I've never heard any noises from any of them. I would associate a noise with binding.

[Joseph U.]

Re: 1967 Headlights will not turn

Yes - the noise sounds like something is binding - looks like I will have to take the hood off of the car and pull one of those motors. Do you know of any way to bench test it before taking it apart. Would rather fix if at all possible. New ones are real expensive.
Joe

[Donald O.]

Re: 1967 Headlights will not turn

Joe,
No need to remove the hood or grill although it does make it way easier, but do have a friend or wife hold it open at its maximum gap. Then remove the electrical plug, the grounding bar (at the field case and DO NOT LOSE the attaching screw. and the small clip hold the motor to a retaining pin. Then carefully remove the motor.
To test you just need a 12vdc source and test leads, ground to the case and power to either terminal to cheack each directions rotation. If it doesn't spin, but you can feel it trying to, you can clean the gears and regrease and try again.
If it is still a no go and the dates codes are correct for your Vette, then you can sent it to either;
Joe Ray (here on the board)
or to
Steve Hackel 708-687-4183
If your \date do not line up, he may have a dated unit that will work.

DonO

[Joseph U.]

Re: 1967 Headlights will not turn

Thanks,
As soon as I get a chance I will give it a go.
Joe

[Paul J.]

Re: 1967 Headlights will not turn

Joe,

One thing DonO did'nt say is that you can rebuild them yourself pretty easily. Here's how:

https://www.ncrs.org/qc/Seminars/MidYearHeadlightsSeminar2011.pdf

Paul

[Joseph U.]

Re: 1967 Headlights will not turn

Thank you Paul,
That is a real help.
Joe

[Joseph U.]

Re: 1967 Headlights will not turn

I have removed the headlight motors and disassembled (Thank you Paul).
THe problem is quite easy to see. THe Motor gear is destroyed and seems to be stuck in the casting hole and will not turn.
I have been unable to loosen it with some force but of course worried about cracking the casting.
Any ideas? Is the motor gear one solid piece that I might chip away or chisel out. it does not look hardened to me but looks like a casting.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Joe