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456 popup headlight problem

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by GTB4NART, Mar 9, 2007.

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  1. GTB4NART

    GTB4NART Formula Junior

    Jan 17, 2004
    421
    #1 GTB4NART, Mar 9, 2007
    I've seen a few threads on headlight issues and now I have one. When I turn the stalk, the right one goes up and the left does not. When I open the hood, remove the rubber cap on the left headlight motor, then turn the nylon dial, the motor works fine. Somehow, the stalk is not communicating with the light motor. I've tried to switch the relays and the problem is still the same. I hesitate to install another motor since this one appears to work fine. Does the headlight motor have some intelligence to recognize a signal from the stalk? If so, I need a new headlight motor most likely.
     
  2. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,054
    USA
    #2 f355spider, Mar 9, 2007
    I'm confused. When you turn the nylon dial, is the motor now functioning, or are you just manually raising the headlight assembly?

    The reason I ask, is that with my 355, the dial just turns the motor manually. I would check the fuses. In my case, I had a blown fuse. It occured on a very cold winter day, and right after starting the car after sitting for a week or two. I think the cold headlight motor (and mechanism) caused a lot of current draw, and the resultant blown fuse. I replaced the fuse and have had no recurrance.
     
  3. tbakowsky

    tbakowsky Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Professional Ferrari Technician

    Sep 18, 2002
    20,021
    The Cold North
    Full Name:
    Tom
    #3 tbakowsky, Mar 9, 2007
    Check to make sure the arm that attaches to the headlight motor to the head light door itself, is nice and tight and obviously check all you connections and relays.

    If all checks out, more then likely you need a new motor. But make sure you get the right one, there were I believe 3 different ones through out the production run of the car.
     
  4. GTB4NART

    GTB4NART Formula Junior

    Jan 17, 2004
    421
    #4 GTB4NART, Mar 9, 2007
    Actually, if I turn the nylon dial a few turns, the motor kicks in (quickly and will bite the fingers). It's almost as if I have to "prime" the motor a bit before it pops up the headlight. Very strange indeed. I'll recheck that fuse.

     
  5. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

    May 21, 2005
    72,740
    Vegas+Alabama
    Full Name:
    Mr. Sideways
    #5 No Doubt, Mar 10, 2007
    That sounds as though you have a bad diode on the motor. They're $0.07 each on-line.

    Click here: http://www.the348.com/tech/348.html#lightsPopUp and then scroll down to "Diagnosing Pop-Up Headlight Systems" for more...
     

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