LH 355 head light not lifting.

James, sorry for your trouble. Hope it turns out to be a simple fix. Here's the Ricambi link for the entire "stripped" connecting rod assembly (i.e., threaded rod, 2 end Heim joints, nuts, etc.). LINK: http://www.ricambiamerica.com/product_info.php?products_id=232721. Not bad, it's only $41.00 USD. If it is the motor, you can get it rebuilt or brand new their only $241.00 (not too bad for a Ferrari part). Good luck, brother.

Somewhere I have a protocol for fixing the electronics in Ferrari headlight motors, but it's for the 308/328. Sorry.

 

Nice fix James!!

Enjoy your drive brother!!

I went for a nice drive yesterday. Took one of my Dad's mates Eddie for a drive. He got some wheel time also.

 

GREAT! I'm glad it was an easy, non-expensive fix.

 

Nice to read another happy ending based on help from this site.

 

I was told I needed a new driver's side headlight motor for my 355. Who sells them???

 

Ricambi is your best bet. LINK: http://www.ricambiamerica.com/product_info.php?products_id=201157

 

James:

In one weekend you put 3X the mileage on your car, than I have in 8 months. Pretty sad, huh! You're just a "driven' fool"! LOL

 

1000 km!!! WOW!

Great to hear you are enjoying it mate!!

 

The dealer said told me I should change "both" my head light lift motors. My LH head light motor has been eating up fuses. This has started since the temperature has stared to drop. Some where along in its life the previous owner had installed 10A ones vice 7.5A. I have not really had time to troubleshoot it yet. I will disassemble it and relubricate it with extreme low temperature grease. Has anyone had this type of problem before? I've search for threads and have not seen one like this

 

My right motor does this occasionally when it is colder than 35º. Blows the fuse when closing the headlight (i.e. returning from a cold drive). Only happens about once a year, though.
Any other time it just lifts/lowers more slowly than the left motor. I've reached the same conclusion as you, re-lubricate with better grease. Just never gotten around to it.
If you decide to go this route, please document. I'm sure the community would appreciate it!
Good luck!

 

Yes, my car started doing this once or twice each winter a couple years ago, and only on the right side. Annoying, my simple fix was also to install a 10A fuse for the right side motor as well. Again, only happens in winter, when turning the lights on. The 10A fuse has been installed for over one year now, with no negative consequences. I too, would prefer to fix whatever is the problem with it, just have not got around to removing it. Like you surmise, probably the grease is getting hard.

The dealer fix is always parts replacement, rarely can anyone fix or repair anything. I have seen on this site very nice, and quality repairs peformed on 355's for headlight motors (diodes and lifting arms), window regulators that have busted welds, adjusting exhaust bypass valve to eliminate rattle, resurfacing fly wheels, and refinishing A/C control panels. All stuff the typical dealer would simply replace with new, and likely break again. Heck, a good friend of mine (and fellow 355 owner) machined a new "paddle" arm for my drivers side door handle that broke. It was originally from cast pot metal, he designed on new one in AutoCad and machined it on his CNC and made it out of aircraft aluminum! It is truly BETTER THAN NEW.

 

Do tell!

Does it come out from the top, side, or bottom?

 

Grazie!

 

.......... your are living the life James!!! That is a great pic !!!

 

I am so thankful for the wealth of knowledge here.

Last night, my car failed me for the first time with this silly headlight issue.

Made me feel a bit foolish, as my wife and I were heading out to a party.
I began my usual warm-up ritual and as the babysitter was moving her car, I reach to turn on the lights and the right one stayed put! The babysitter looked at me and said "that isn't good".

Now I'll be putting James' solution to the test with mine. Thanks guys for quieting my fear of a $1,000.00 headlight fix!!!!
It has been quite cold here lately, that is all that I could imagine has happened, and seems somewhat problematic with this model.

 

Haven't got it sorted yet.

I have to look at my manual to find the fuse block.
Is there any way I can do this without lifting the car??

Too much work to spend the needed time on the car right now