Driver's side headlight failure

[Bills03Coupe]

I've been having an intermittent problem on my 2003 with the driver's side headlight not always going up. I'd have to try the light switch 2 or 3 times to make it open. Tonight, when I turned on the lights it would not work. No matter how many times I tried the switch it wouldn't go up. I finally tried using the manual knob, and managed to get it to finally open. Now when I try to shut off the lights, the drivers side grinds in the down position. No amount of trying with the manual knob will make it stop grinding. I had to disconnect the driver's side headlight harness to shut off the lights. Any ideas? Is it the Headlight motor, or gears, or actuator?

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
Depending on the damage inside, you may be able to replace the gears.
Otherwise, you will have to replace the whole actuator.
Allthebest, c4c5

[Bills03Coupe]

Originally Posted by c4c5specialist

HI there,
Depending on the damage inside, you may be able to replace the gears.
Otherwise, you will have to replace the whole actuator.
Allthebest, c4c5

Thanks for the reply! From what I've heard, the motor covers glue in place. Is there a specific procedure to safely remove the cover? In addition to the actuator(motor), are there any other parts that may need replacing?

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
I personally do NOT like the gear contact pattern after this type of gear swap.
That plastic is very thin, IMO
So, replacement of the actuators is what I like to do.
Allthebest, c4c5

[Junkman]

If you decide to replace the gear, it's a $45 fix. The entire motor is around $250 and you still end up with a plastic gear that will do this again one day. I took the metal gear route and made it easy for you if you decide to do the same. Here's the link.

[Bills03Coupe]

Originally Posted by Junkman

If you decide to replace the gear, it's a $45 fix. The entire motor is around $250 and you still end up with a plastic gear that will do this again one day. I took the metal gear route and made it easy for you if you decide to do the same. Here's the link.

Thanks Junkman for the info! I went ahead and had the motor replaced under my extended warranty. I have the motor he took out, and will try the rebuild route, and keep it as a spare. Do you happen to know if the motor works on either side of the car, or are they different for the driver side and passenger side headlights? By the way the Motor was $321 and with labor and tax it was $459!! Thank god for zero deductible on my warranty!

[Junkman]

I want to say to say that the motors are side specific but my car is not here and I can't look at it to say for sure. As I think it through in my head, I'm thinking the motors are interchangeable. I do know this, it definitely doesn't hurt to fix the one you got back. I'm surprised that they gave you the parts back. From what I understand, they usually keep the parts when doing a warranty repair.

Fix the one you have. It will definitely come in handy one day and you'll be tickled pink that you have one ready to go.

[Bills03Coupe]

Originally Posted by Junkman

I want to say to say that the motors are side specific but my car is not here and I can't look at it to say for sure. As I think it through in my head, I'm thinking the motors are interchangeable. I do know this, it definitely doesn't hurt to fix the one you got back. I'm surprised that they gave you the parts back. From what I understand, they usually keep the parts when doing a warranty repair.

Fix the one you have. It will definitely come in handy one day and you'll be tickled pink that you have one ready to go.

FYI. The motors are side specific. The shafts are on opposite sides of the motor assembly.