New here, issues with 99 Firebird Headlamps...

[AS99FB]

Hi there!

I was told by a classmate and former Pontiac owner that this would be a good forum to post my questions on, so hopefully I'm in the right place!

I've had my 99 Firebird for about 5 years now. The passenger side headlamp casing never used to get stuck on the rest of the car but for some reason this problem started up not too long ago and I haven't been able to find a fix for it.

Its gotten to the point now where it won't open without me standing there to push the headlamp open while someone else turns the lights on from the interior.

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to how to fix this? I've seen other Firebirds/Trans Ams with the lamps always up even with the car off so that may be something I could try though I have no idea how to go about it. Is this something a body shop could fix? I don't know why it's started happening when it didn't happen for a long portion of the time that I've owned the car.

Any and all help is appreciated, thanks so much in advance!

-Andrew

 

[melsg5]

A known problem with the motors is the plastic gear but if I'm reading your problem correctly you are saying the whole door assembly is shifted and hitting the fender? With the door open do you notice any excessive play in it compared to the other door?

 

[AS99FB]

A known problem with the motors is the plastic gear but if I'm reading your problem correctly you are saying the whole door assembly is shifted and hitting the fender? With the door open do you notice any excessive play in it compared to the other door?

Right -- the assembly gets stuck (just barely, if you can tell from the paint chipping in the photo) and gets caught. While it's open it looks the same as the opposite side. However, I have noticed that with the door shut it appears to be slightly open and not actually making contact with the fender whereas the other one actually sits right on the fender when closed. I'm not sure if it is a motor issue as it still comes completely open as long as I am there to give it a little push as the door is opening. Thanks for the reply!

 

[melsg5]

It does not sound like the normal motor gear issue. Look at this thread, post 15, refers to a bushing wearing out but is not a replacement part. Have you grabbed the open headlight and tried moving it to check for excessive play and compare it to the other headlight that has no issue. Without seeing the headlight mechanism, it is difficult to pinpoint your problem.

http://ls1tech.com/forums/stereo-electronics/1418038-better-approach-firebird-headlight-doors.html

______________________________

 

[AS99FB]

It does not sound like the normal motor gear issue. Look at this thread, post 15, refers to a bushing wearing out but is not a replacement part. Have you grabbed the open headlight and tried moving it to check for excessive play and compare it to the other headlight that has no issue. Without seeing the headlight mechanism, it is difficult to pinpoint your problem.

http://ls1tech.com/forums/stereo-electronics/1418038-better-approach-firebird-headlight-doors.html

I messed around with it a bit and it didn't seem to have any issues similar to that. I did however take the black faceplate that covers the light fixtures off and now the door opens just fine. I've tried putting the faceplate back on numerous times and still haven't been able to get it on without it causing the door to jam again. I took it to a local parts store and nobody had any experience working with the headlamps on Firebirds or Trans Ams so I'm about as lost as I could be at this point. I think I'm going to take it to a local Pepboys and see if buying some replacement screws for the fixtures will help.

I'm guessing that the issue lies with the door itself since it still wont shut properly even with the faceplate out, but I've heard having the doors fixed is pretty pricey so I'm going to try some other things before I go that route.

If you have any more suggestions I'd really appreciate it. Thanks so much for all of your help, melsg5!!

 

[chitownmikemc]

If it is the actual metal lid that is binding there are four screws that are adjustable to get a better fit.Once you take off the black plastic face plate the screws are easy to get to. The two on the back you can get to when the headlight is closed and the hood is open. There is one on the side, and one on the front. The screw is in a slot and when you loosen the screw you can move the metal door up and down which moves the slot which is attached to the metal lid. Try moving the lid around after loosening the screws. I that doesn't work there should be marks from the original position of the screws in the slots from being there so long. Just move te slots back as close as you can to the original marks

 

[AS99FB]

If it is the actual metal lid that is binding there are four screws that are adjustable to get a better fit.Once you take off the black plastic face plate the screws are easy to get to. The two on the back you can get to when the headlight is closed and the hood is open. There is one on the side, and one on the front. The screw is in a slot and when you loosen the screw you can move the metal door up and down which moves the slot which is attached to the metal lid. Try moving the lid around after loosening the screws. I that doesn't work there should be marks from the original position of the screws in the slots from being there so long. Just move te slots back as close as you can to the original marks

Hey folks, sorry for not updating this thread! I was so busy with school last month and never actually had a time during daylight to go outside and mess with the lamps.

The screws took me some time to find but after some adjusting (and scraping the headlamp door against the fender once) it looks like I've finally managed to get this problem fixed. The doors close, even with the black plate cover, and there doesn't seem to be any major scraping aside from the very edge of the doors hitting the hood but the car has had that issue since long before I bought it.

Thanks so much for everyone's help! I will update if any issues arise but hopefully this one is done and over with

 

[chitownmikemc]

glad to help!!

______________________________