| Author | Message | ||
| Barry Wolinsky (308gtb)
Member Username: 308gtb Post Number: 558 Registered: 2-2002 |
I had the same, occasional "winking" problem with the passenger side headlight when I purchased my car. Adjusting the actuator rod, as Pjm described, solved the winking problem and enabled the headlight assembly to fit flush with the bodywork. Barry | ||
| peter james moran (Pjm)
Junior Member Username: Pjm Post Number: 58 Registered: 3-2002 |
I had this problem. Talked to my guy and he had me disconnect the actuator rod from the headlamp housing. Them circulate the motor several times. Put the rod back on, and had no problems. He explained the that as the system wears it can become out of sink and when you raise the lamp it goes past center comes back around sees that it should be up and repeats the problem. Later, I did adjust the rod a little to get the right fit then aimed the head lamps too. No diode hassles. No$ | ||
| Hans E. Hansen (4re_gt4)
Intermediate Member Username: 4re_gt4 Post Number: 1482 Registered: 4-2002 |
Yeah, Dave, if I had to do a diode swap, I'd definitely uprate them. Also often not considered is the voltage rating. This is the *reverse* voltage, and at first glance, the minimal 50V would appear to be enough for a 12V system. However, electric motors can give voltage spikes, especially when they are switched off. So, I'd probably buy a 200V or higher diode. The price difference is minimal. | ||
| david handa (Davehanda)
Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 959 Registered: 5-2001 |
Ric, Curious as to why it is so common for the diodes to the motors to fail so frequently in Ferraris. Do you think they are of to low a value? Would switching to a higher amperage diode make a difference? Sorry, I'm not an EE so not sure if I am making sense. | ||
| Ric Rainbolt (Ricrain)
Member Username: Ricrain Post Number: 532 Registered: 2-2002 |
The 308 headlamp motors have diodes, yes. Often times, one of the two diode has shorted internally. Cheap and available at Radio Shack (1N400X series). | ||
| Steve M (Steve308gtsi)
Junior Member Username: Steve308gtsi Post Number: 93 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hans, I guess I should have beat on it!LOL | ||
| Hans E. Hansen (4re_gt4)
Intermediate Member Username: 4re_gt4 Post Number: 1470 Registered: 4-2002 |
Steve: Did you change it, or "beat it into submission"?  | ||
| Steve M (Steve308gtsi)
Junior Member Username: Steve308gtsi Post Number: 92 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hans, I had the same problem in my car about a month ago. I also fixed it by changing the relay. | ||
| Hans E. Hansen (4re_gt4)
Intermediate Member Username: 4re_gt4 Post Number: 1469 Registered: 4-2002 |
C.C.: That's the problem fixed by diode replacement in the Daytona. My problem was different, and, as mentioned below, I have some question as to whether the 308 has the diodes. | ||
| C.C.ofAtlanta (Atlantaman)
Junior Member Username: Atlantaman Post Number: 204 Registered: 3-2002 |
i knew of a daytona once when you turned off the lights--the right one would go down-comeup again--and go down again--winked at you every time | ||
| Hans E. Hansen (4re_gt4)
Intermediate Member Username: 4re_gt4 Post Number: 1461 Registered: 4-2002 |
Problem: Turned on headlights, left lifts up as normal, but right starts bobbing rapidly up and down. Jean and I start laughing uncontrollably, she says, "Stop the car, I going to pee my pants!" Turning off headlight switch causes left light to go down, but right continues on it's merry way. I pull over and get ready to start jerking fuses, when it magically stops. Research: Archive search reveals suspected causes and fixes involve diodes in motors, microswitches, headlight switch, and relays. Diagnosis: Pulled off relay cover. Operate headlight switch, and problem occurs. Turn off switch, left light goes down, right continues bobbing. Pull right relay. Right motor stops. Pull left relay, place in right socket, light goes down and stops. Put right relay in left socket, turn on headlight switch, and now the left light goes bananas. Cure: Replace relay. Actually I didn't have a new one, so I took it apart and beat it into submission. Works fine now, but I've got a relay on order. Notes: 1) I did have a couple of symptoms that were different from those in the archives. a) For the last few months, the right light would 'go past center' - it would close and then rise about 1/2 inch or so and stop. I thought that it was a mechanical adjustment, but the relay replacement fixed that also. b) The cars in the archives had headlights that would wink only once when opening or closing. Mine bobbed continuously. 2) I wonder if the "diode fix" pertains to the 308, as a careful reading insinuates that it was meant for a Daytona. Can anyone verify that the 308 motor has diodes? 3) Some have questioned the existance of 'microswitches'. The wiring diagram clearly shows them, and logic would indicate that *something* has to signal the full up/down position of the lamp assy. I think the confusion stems from the switches not being obviously located. They're inside the motor assy. |