I have a replacement (from car being broken for parts) for the headlamp motor on my S4. The motor works but often 'chatters' when lights are up for first few seconds and the relay makes/breaks connections in sympathy.

Just wondered if anyone had done this and could advise on best order/approach for doing this (and installing the new one). The motor is held to bracket by 3 bolts (first picture looking at motor spindle head on), but the arm mechanism blocks at least one. If the headlights are in raised position you can get at all the bolts. Both photos taken with the headlights in the down position.

The arm is held onto spindle by a lock nut (photo looking down from above) but again the locknut is not accessible till the lights are raised.

So do I raise the lights and then take off spindle nut, leaving clear access to the bracket? Anything to be careful of when re-installing the new motor in terms of arm position? What does the red paint on the motor bolts signify?

Thanks

 

Take a picture of the arm position when the lights are raised. This way you can put the arm back in that position when you install the new motor. I would disconnect the battery before starting and rise the headlights by hand turning the **** on top of the motor. Then after the new motor is in, turn them back down by hand and make sure they will not hit your radiator. Reconnect the battery and they should do fine.

Also, if you getting a chatter when the headlights go up or down the arm may be rubbing on something as it travels. Have a friend turn the lights on while you watch the arm travel and see if it is hitting anything.

I am a newbie so verfiy this with some of the vets.

 

turn on the key and turn on the headlights....now turn off the key and the lights will stay up. Find the plug for the motor NOTE the wire positions and unplug. Now swap motors. The mounting holes are slotted for adjustment. Be careful that the C clips are on the arms if missing the lever can drop into the radiator. 1978-86 is one motor 87-95 is another.

 

Thanks gentlemen, I'll be sure to note/record everything carefully when I take it out.

David the arm travels cleanly. I can provoke the chatter just by lightly touching the manual **** at the top of the motor shaft.

I have the correct replacement motor Jim with round connector. The donor car was same year as mine.

 

You have the right replacement motor I assume? 78-86 are one type 87-95 another - not interchangeable.

Alan