How To Replace A Pop-Up Headlight Motor - Pontiac Firebird (Andy’s Garage: Episode - 358)
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- Опубліковано 19 сер 2024
- In this video Andy Phillips shows step-by-step how to replace the pop-up headlight motor on a Pontiac Firebird. When these motors fail the headlight can get stuck, make loud clicking noises or just stop working.
Listed below are other videos of mine pertaining to the Firebird:
How To Replace The PCV Valve on a Firebird: • How To Replace PCV Val...
Replacing Oxygen Sensors - Pontiac Firebird: • How To Replace Oxygen ...
How To Replace MAF Sensor - Pontiac Firebird: • How To Replace MAF (Ma...
Cleaning & Restoring Headlights: • How To Restore & Clean...
How To Restore Turn Signal & Brake Light Lenses: • How To Restore Turn Si...
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The individual featured on the Phillips Vision UA-cam Channel identified as Andrew Phillips, also known as Andy Phillips is not a professional mechanic, contractor or certified repairman. He does not have any formal training in the automotive field, or any other trade. He is strictly a Do It Yourself handyman.
Phillips Vision, or the individuals featured on this channel, assume no liability for anything you choose to do to your vehicles, appliances, games or any other items featured in the videos before, or after watching one of the videos or utilizing the content from this channel.
All Do it Yourself (DIY) repairs or modifications you perform are at your own risk. Proper safety precautions are always needed, and are the responsibility of the viewer to follow. In some cases, even if you perform everything properly, you can destroy or damage one or more things you are working on resulting is costly repairs.
In addition, if for some reason, the instructions on this channel are incorrect, resulting it something becoming damaged, Phillips Vision and those featured on this channel WILL NOT reimburse or pay in any way the costs that may be incurred due to following wrong instructions.
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Just bought my first Firebird a few months back, the passenger side motor just started making that noise a few days ago. This was super helpful and straight to the point, now all I need is to order the motor and get it replaced
Really helpful video. I have had to replace these motors several times over the 25 years I've owned my '99, and watched this as a refresher (I have to replace the driver side motor today). This is the best video on this subject I have found on YT, because you are outside in daylight (as opposed to in semi darkness in a garage), your camera work clearly shows what you are doing, and you take the time to explain everything. I have done this job in the past by just opening the headlight, removing the bezel, and reaching in, but the access is so limited, and it is so hard to reach that back bolt on the motor, it was a miserable, frustrating job. Your way (removing the entire headlight assembly and opening up a huge access area) is best. I appreciate the time you took to create this video.
Thanks for the feedback, glad the video helped
Great video man!! Very educational oriented. Nothing extra, just straight to the point...love it
Glad it helped, thanks for the comment
More people need to make step by step videos like this.
I have a 94 firebird and I need to both motor thank you to teach us how it’s done great job well done I appreciate u showing me thanks again all the best 👍💯
Awesome, glad it helped
I also have a 94 firebird and need to make this repair. Is it the same process as seen in the video?
Excellent job ! We own a 1999 Trans Am convertible and my husband needed to see how to change out the motor in the pop up headlamp. You provided him excellent detail of how to fix this issue. We had the exact problem that you have in this video. When we close the pop up headlamps we started getting that horrible jackhammer sound, at first we didnt know what it was, then figured it had to do with the headlamp motor. Thank you for helping the average guy fix these funky issues. My husband will follow your video instructions when we change the motor. Thank you for your excellent video and explaining what to do, step by step. GREAT JOB !
Thanks for the feedback, glad the video helped you guys out 👍
This video was just perfect. I have a '98 Firebird, and have needed to do this for a while. Couldn't find a video that covered the installation from beginning to end, and did not want to guess at steps and screw something up! Thank you for uploading this!!!
Glad it helped 👍
I have a 1 of 18 trans am that I don't lock at the gas station because of that horrendous noise. Gonna be changing that motor this weekend. Knew it was the motor just wanted to see what was involved. Great video!
I’m the same way!!! I don’t do it when I get to work or at gas stations. Hell I barely even lock it because of that ducking grinding ass noise.. Does your headlights flip up and down?
Thank you for a very clear and informative video.
@@georgehill99 thx 🙏
I would recommend Cardone brand, as they can be opened by just removing a few screws. Then you swap the nylon gear with brass or something else stronger so you don't have to worry down the road. May as well swap the gear too while you're doing this, even with new motors.
Great video. My driver side light is making that same clicking sound. I’ll start my search for a new motor. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Great video. Thank you!
Both my driver and passenger side need to be replace so I might give this a shot.
Nice job
Thx
Your awesome man
Good Job…👍👍
thank u sir
Ok I know this is a werid question but how do you use the highbeams I can't figure it out lol.
You should see a knob on left side and turn the knob to the right. When high beams are on youll see it indicated on dash.
I’m having trouble getting to 4:22 cuz I can’t get my torx bit to bite the screw
I replaced mine and they flip opposite when I turn them on the left flips up and the right flips but i think when put the arm on the motor I didn't put on right
Yup I was right I went back to it today and the arm was on the wrong way
The alignment for the cover is what I am having issues with. Mine hits my hood and I cant seem to figure out where it went wrong. Any ideas?
Are they multiple blade wiper blades?
how do i get the headlight to move freely?
Remove the motor’s arm that connects to the housing
@@PhillipsVision i got it but i appreciate it, it was quite the task in the dark but i figured it out 😭
What if they go up and down in different direction
“Different direction” as in one up and one down, or as in our of alignment?
@@PhillipsVision one up one down
I just got it fixed. I had the arm that hooks on the motor above the bottom white stop, and it should be under. The motor wasn't even bad. It somehow got above it. Been working on it for weeks. Watching your video closely helped me. Thank you for the video
@@reginahumphrey430 might have to check arms on the motors to make sure they are both in alignment
I replaced the gear in the driver motor a year ago and I just did the passenger side this weekend.
Here’s what I could add if no one wants to spend $300 on a new motor.
Before I begin I didn’t need to remove the passenger light completely but the driver side must come out.
If your motor looks to be untampered you can get a gear kit for $80. It comes with all the bells and whistles to keep the gear lubed and the case sealed. I’m gonna guess that the owner that opened his motor just flipped the gear 180d and it just broke again.
The new gear is brass so it’s lasting forever and costs much much less than changing the entire motor.
Also squeeze the connector extra tight bc mine was going out intermittently and I got a ticket :(
Fixed it with a good squeeze.
Could you explain a little how you were able to take out the passenger side without removing the light completely. I need to change my passenger side and any advice would be of much help.
@@duarte831able very sorry I didn’t get the notif till now. Just taking off the headlight shield should open enough room up for you to reach both hands all the way down to the motor.
One of mine is stuck open. Is there anything different in the process because of that?
No, the motor needs to be replaced
@@PhillipsVision Thanks.
@@PhillipsVision I replaced the motor and the headlights did the one up and one down dance. I tried to adjust the the top adjuster and cant the the thing to dany thing but make a noise.
@@Trizzle-987 sounds like the relay may need to be replaced.
@@PhillipsVision Do you the relay popped when I replaced the HL motor? Is there a relay for each headlight motor?
My 99 30th TA convertible has the passenger side headlight stuck in the down position. The access under the hood to be able manually raise the light just spins and does not raise the headlight. Any ideas on how I can access mine? I appreciate any ideas. Thank you
The manual gear may be broken. You may have to disconnect the arm from headlight assembly and remove the assembly so the motor can be replaced
@@PhillipsVision The nuts are behind the rod that lifts the lights in the closed position. I was thinking maybe I could back off all three as far as I can, then maybe I can move the motor back and draw in the nuts until I can get them off... Don't know, guess I'll find out. I appreciate the quick response and nice bird!
@@edwardmadrid6252 I know it's been a month and you've probably found a solution, but I wanted to add that you may want to try the manual gear for the headlight motor again. I had to spin and spin and spin mine before it even started to move. Then, each revolution only raised the headlight maybe an 8th of an inch.
At first I thought my manual gear was broken too, it just took a lot of turns to finally show results. I do not know why that is.
@bradleylovej Glad you reached back out. The person who owned the car before or someone who worked on it installed the bolts that hold the motor in backwards. The end of the bolt was binding the lift mechanism. I was able to force the lift rod enough to get the light to lift. Replaced both motors and they work great. Funny thing whoever was in it last replaced the plastic gear with brass and zip tied it all together. Learned alot and very happy with the results.
@@edwardmadrid6252 Hell, yeah. Glad you got it done
I need to either get a motor or the gear kit. But I'm seeing the gear kit costs as much as an aftermarket motor. Think these aftermarket motors are worth a crap? Any mods they need?
I always buy aftermarket motors for headlights and power windows. As long as they are listed for your vehicle, you’ll be fine
I've heard a lot of 4th gen guys like the Cardone motors. New, not re manned. They're supposed to have good build quality. I just got one, but haven't installed it yet.
Were you able to manually lift the light up? My motor is out and im about to try and replace it.
Behind the headlamps from the top there's an access hole. With a 10mm socket you can spin the motor and bring the headlight all the way up to access the three Phillips head screws to remove the headlamp trim and then you can reach inside.
Do I need to disconnect battery
No
Will the motor the same on both sides?
They are different motors
They specifically are listed as driver side and passenger side motors.
So, my vehicle isn't making that sound but sometimes the light doesn't flip up. I'm thinking it's the motor...but, I guess I it could be wiring instead of the motor. I'd hate to do what you just did only to find it's the wiring instead of the motor.
Sounds like the relay.
@Phillips Vision Ahhh, ok. So, with the relay, do I need to replace the whole thing or just a couple wires? Thanks for your response!
@@Thomasbj1996 you will just need to replace the relay switch. It’s a small square black box that plugs into either the fuse box or a harness.
@@PhillipsVision thanks a bunch!!! You're awesome!!!
my girlfriend just gave her 'mechanic' 500 dollars exactly to do what i just saw you do, telling her the part cost 330 dollars and it took him 2 hours to do-----i wish she would have watched this first--pretty sure she got ripped off, what say you?
She could do it herself for about $60
Or you could’ve just looked it up for her you’re her boyfriend my guy