Head Light

928gene928 · 928gene928's Garage

I have one headlight that does not stay fully retracted after I hit a large bump or pot hole. I have to manually push it pack down to the fully retracted position. It usually raises on an inch or two. There must be some type of lock system that has worn out, broken or need adjustment. Any thoughts?

Mrmerlin · 09-29-2011, 04:54 AM

what headlight is it?

928gene928 · 928gene928's Garage

It is the drivers side headlight. The main headlight up and down assembly works fine, just the final seating of the headlight lamp housing. The light is solid as a rock when raised, but the lamp can be moved with some effort in the lowered position. Hope my explanation is clear. I have not removed the plastic dome cover from the light in the raised position to look inside as yet. It feels like it should lock against a stop clip, or perhaps a spring or something broke?

Haven't had time to look at the manual as yet either, hoped someone on the list had an idea or experience in that area.

Mrmerlin · 09-29-2011, 09:24 AM

if its the left headlight then you may have the air duct contacting the headlight as it folds down dont keep setting the headlight down till you figure this out you may scratch the paint.

NOTE the headlamps have a spring loaded system so if they are retracted they wont drag whatever is holding the lamp up into the fender

MPDano · MPDano's Garage

Yeah Gene, remove the Plastic Cover via the 2 Phillips screws and it will most likely become crystal clear what the issue is.

riber.bentsen · riber.bentsen's Garage

Two? I have 3 on my headlights, must be Euro vs. US difference..

MPDano · MPDano's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by riber.bentsen

Two? I have 3 on my headlights, must be Euro vs. US difference..

Oops, I forgot about that virtual one on the Center Top

Correction "3" Phillips Head Screws.

928gene928 · 928gene928's Garage

I took a quick look at the Nichols Site to see if they said anything about my problem. They mentioned a Detent Assembly which holds the lamp assembly secure. This sounds just like what I have noticed.

Mrmerlin · 09-29-2011, 01:30 PM

the headlight is probably hitting the air ducting for the alternator its fastened to the inside of the front block off plate in the left fender

76FJ55 · 09-29-2011, 01:43 PM

I'm with Merlin on this one. I'd guess the headlight is contacting something in the wheelwell causing it to unclip the spring loaded detent. If it's not hitting anything gravity alone would pull it down when the headlights are retracted. I'd jack the car up and look up from underneath to see what might be getting in the way.

lfausty · lfausty's Garage

hi jack my passenger side they go up all the way then i have to (put hand on back of bucket) pull it into more lock-up a quarter inch more for the pass side to click/like stay solid up or when driving it does a shakish light on the peeps. been awhile(cant remember what) i did like three different proceduures, motor all the way down adj, the bar rotated, had a look at black rubber square stopper, nothing fixed it, off 1/4 1/2 inch. fix?

928gene928 · 928gene928's Garage

Guys,
The headlight bucket is not hitting anything, and the heaqdlight lift shaft and system is aligned and secure. There is a secondary system inside the heighlight pod that has some movement. This movement is slight and only manifests itself when there is a large bump to the suspension and it becomes un-seated. At this point I'm almost sure it is a clip or spring. Hope toi have some time today to investigate further. Thanks to all for the help!

Alan in AZ · 10-04-2011, 06:27 AM

It is the detent that was mentioned before - you have to take the wheel and splash shield off to see whats going on from underneath - it could be the detent clip itself or just wiring bunching thats keeping it from securing better.

This is quite unrelated to any movement at the fully up point (different issue).

Alan

Tom's 87 928 S4 · 10-04-2011, 07:05 AM

Maybe you have a bad headlight switch. These cars are notorious for the headlight switch problems.

Alan in AZ · 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom's 87 928 S4

Maybe you have a bad headlight switch. These cars are notorious for the headlight switch problems.

No - this is unrelated to the electrical parts of the headlight - it is purely a mechanical attachment.

As an example if you can grab a headlamp (tight fit for fingers) you can pull it loose from the detent and and rotate it to the fully up position freely - then you can see the carrier underneath that is driven by the motor - the two parts are quite separate - but rotate around the same pivot shaft.

It makes perfect sense so as not to trap any body parts...

Alan