CHD

I've searched the threads, and can't find any with the answer. My headlights go up and turn on but they won't go down when I switch them off. I replaced the motor, relay and cabin switch. Fuses 2, 16, 36 & 37 are good. The electrical tests good per Clark's Garage. Also, the headlight motor gets very hot. There does not appear to be any restriction or binding of the HL housings. I cannot manually use the **** on the motor to put them down while power is connected to the motor. At least I haven't tried to force it. Goes up and down fine/smooth with the **** and power disconnected. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

orig944

Year?
Model?
This is new, or this has happened since you bought it?
If new, what was the last thing you screwed with?
Motor gets hot when? With headlights on, or with headlights off?

What happens if you pull the relay and jumper terminal 87 (not 87a) to terminal 30 on the motor? Motor should run continuously, with headlights popping up and down.

CHD

I should've mentioned it's an '87 NA 944. New problem since I bought it in January. Put new radiator in a couple weeks ago. Can't find any evidence of anything physically interfering with the movement. Did head gasket and front reseal before radiator, but started after radiator install. Motor hot after switching headlights off. Will try the jumper. Thanks for that.

Tiger03447

Check the arm that’ s going past the inside of the front fender. They are quite long and will sometimes drag the bottom when they are cycled. Especially if they aren’t quite shimmed right. Have you replaced either of the front fenders? How are the headlight cover gaps? Hope this helps some.

CHD

Thank you very much. I'll check that. Haven't replaced fenders and cover gaps look good.

Zirconocene

Your description makes it sound like the motor is not stopping once it get the headlights in the UP position. I'm not good enough with understanding the mechanism for how the motor receives a signal to stop at a certain point, but maybe that's worth investigating.

Good luck

Misterfan

This EXACT thing happened to me after I removed and reinstalled radiator! Look carefully at the orientation of the hose clamp screw at the top of the radiator. If you installed it for "easy access" (as I did), the screw interferes with the headlight arm when it is trying to close. This is not obvious at all when the headlights are closed, but it does actually get in the way! Drove me nuts, but it is consistent with the principle of "last thing touched". Also, the fact that your headlight motor gets hot is a strong indicator of a physical obstruction.

Tiger03447

As the motor rotates the cam stack inside the assembly, various contacts make and break according to the cutouts on the cams. These cutouts determine what is going on with the arm on the outside of the motor…up…down…sideways?lol

orig944

I completely agree with this assessment. Whether it is the hose clamp, or something else, the motor is trying to close the headlamps.

CHD

Thank you, There was a very slight "rub" on the sheet metal where the headlight bucket is mounted. It was very slight. I didn't see it; and I didn't feel any resistance when raising/lowering with the ****/wheel on top of the motor. Guess I violated the old advice of "if you hear hoofbeats don't look for zebras". Occam's razor, etc. Appreciate all the help.