2001 456M headlight driver's side motors

See the other nearly identical thread a few lines above this.

Based on my cross-reference parts list:

Headlight Motor LH Ferrari #174159 Bosch #0 390 206 414 Right Headlight Motor Volvo 480

Headlight Motor RH Ferrari 173965 Bosch #0 390 206 413 Left Headlight Motor Volvo 480

 

Right, but the motors for the Volvo 480 are not any easier to find either.
Bosch does not make them anymore and they are not repairable.
A request to the factory in Germany to produce a small batch has gone un-answered.
What seems strange to me is that so far a viable alternative has not come up on this site.
I am not sure how many 456 are still around but sooner or later they will all experience this problem and if it is not properly solved, it detracts significantly from the value of the car, if it doesn't even make it impossible to sell.
I have searched on the internet and there are many offers to repair / recondition similar motors used on Corvettes and Trans Ams.
Has anyone attempted to fit those on a 456?
Any other ideas out there?

 

Not an uncommon problem.
Do a search in this thread, there is diode that goes and they can be fixed. but you need the motor out to fix it.

 

When you say "motor out" you mean the motor out of the engine bay or to disassemble the electric motor itself?

 

Sorry!! don't panic I meant head light actuator(motor)
These links may assist
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/456-550-575-sponsored-bradan/251548-pop-up-headlight-motor-problem.html
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/456-550-575-sponsored-bradan/526846-456-headlight-motor.html

 

I had the same problem on both headlight motors on my 456GT. Local garage fixed them with new diodes.

 

Great, but can you describe or show where the diodes are?
Tks

 

I believe the two diodes are imbedded in the sloppy rubber coating on the outside of the motor casing. There was a thread on this some time ago.

 

Yes, I believe I found where they are: it is a square shaped box attached to the back of the gearbox and all covered up with the rubber coating.
Tks.

 

My friend modified mine and I know open/close them manually. I have a button for each headlight, they cycle up and down and I have to let go of the button once it's fully open or fully closed. I have to do them separately.

Not a perfect solution but it's working well for me at the moment considering I've been trying to fix them for over 2 years now including having each motor rebuilt at a high price.

 

Do you need Volvo 480 diodes for replacing or are they standard and easily sourced?

 

Just standard diodes. Probably wise to put in a higher amp rating replacement diodes.

 

Diodes is just one of three or so issues that can occur with these motors. The most significant is corrosion of the contacts and switch/locator disk on the back of the large output gear.

 

Do you not have auto electricians over there? A competent auto elec will isolate and repair the fault very quickly.