headlight problems

[81headache]

I have been driving/fixing my 81 28 for about a year now the headlights used to go up and turn on but not go down when shut off would just remain up so I would leave them up most of the time,a couple months ago(I've had a rear e brake malfunction/explosion dealt with that first as money is low) I believe someone bumped the drivers side light not very hard but when I looked after I noticed a problem it is no longer centered in hole when down and when cranked up by hand I noticed it binds a little. Now the lights neither go up or down when turned on and even in the up position with the switch on the lights do not come on. Is this a strictly a relay issue and the bump and bind fried the double relay or something else and how do I adjust the headlight back to center to prevent the little binding on the way up. Also does the double relay control the headlight on off operation or just the motor for up and down.

[Alan in AZ]

The relay controls the motor for up/down, the headlight on/off and the headlight hi/lo beam switching

Other things are involved too. There is a fuse for the motor - check that. There are 2 diodes and a slip ring track in the top of the motor as a feedback position indicator. These control the motor running & stopping in the right places - and the lights coming on only when at the top position - if they have failed (for up) the relay won't ever turn on the lights because it won't think they are up (even if you wind them manually).

Check that since a single burned out diode can explain only one way operation (disassemble motor). The binding is mechanical of course so take off the wheel & wheel well liner/splash shield and evaluate what happened

The relays are $$$ but you can get replacement diodes at radio Shack for a few $ - I'd start there. Based on the progression of symptoms it seems most likely...

Alan

[81headache]

thank you alan seems very logical and a good place to start