Headlight Pods Won't Raise.
Discussion
Just been out for a blast in the Esprit. It's been off the road for a month whilst I got round to replacing the radiator.
Flashed the lights and the left pod stayed up. Flashed again and the right pod stopped halfway down.
Flashed again and the pods stayed where they were.
Pulled over, couldn't find anything obviously wrong, but the pods couldn't be made to raise or lower with any light switch. I wound both down manually so I could drive home without looking like half a Frogeye Sprite.
On closer inspection I find that all the fuses are intact and that the lights are illuminating properly, but no motor function.
Disconnecting the live feed from either motor and reconnecting it produces a click, presumably a solenoid, from the general vicinity of the left hand motor, but still no motor function.
When I examined the linkages, I found that the left pod linkage had become jammed against the (air con?) hose that runs along the front left side corner.
Do these motors operate "back and forth" or "round and round"?
Any suggestions as to why the motors are not operating?
Thanks, Pat '87TurboHC
Flashed the lights and the left pod stayed up. Flashed again and the right pod stopped halfway down.
Flashed again and the pods stayed where they were.
Pulled over, couldn't find anything obviously wrong, but the pods couldn't be made to raise or lower with any light switch. I wound both down manually so I could drive home without looking like half a Frogeye Sprite.
On closer inspection I find that all the fuses are intact and that the lights are illuminating properly, but no motor function.
Disconnecting the live feed from either motor and reconnecting it produces a click, presumably a solenoid, from the general vicinity of the left hand motor, but still no motor function.
When I examined the linkages, I found that the left pod linkage had become jammed against the (air con?) hose that runs along the front left side corner.
Do these motors operate "back and forth" or "round and round"?
Any suggestions as to why the motors are not operating?
Thanks, Pat '87TurboHC
Just been out for a blast in the Esprit. It's been off the road for a month whilst I got round to replacing the radiator.
Flashed the lights and the left pod stayed up. Flashed again and the right pod stopped halfway down.
Flashed again and the pods stayed where they were.
Pulled over, couldn't find anything obviously wrong, but the pods couldn't be made to raise or lower with any light switch. I wound both down manually so I could drive home without looking like half a Frogeye Sprite.
On closer inspection I find that all the fuses are intact and that the lights are illuminating properly, but no motor function.
Disconnecting the live feed from either motor and reconnecting it produces a click, presumably a solenoid, from the general vicinity of the left hand motor, but still no motor function.
When I examined the linkages, I found that the left pod linkage had become jammed against the (air con?) hose that runs along the front left side corner.
Do these motors operate "back and forth" or "round and round"?
Any suggestions as to why the motors are not operating?
Thanks, Pat '87TurboHC
Pat,
The headlight motors on the Esprit are very fragile and great care must be taken to insure that they do not become jammed on anything. If they do, the relative high torque of the electric motor will easily strip either the nylon pinion or travel gear. This may have happened to you when your left hand motor linkage jammed against the AC hose (most probably, this shifted during the radiator/evaperator installation). Use a 'Nytie' to insure it's well out of the way.
The 'click' on the left hand side of the front boot is undoubtedly a relay. There is a dedicated double contact elay for each headlamp motor. There is really no easy way to test the operation of the relay, but using your Owner's Handbook to identify the relays in the bracket mounted just left of the headlamp motor, swap these relays with similar relays (for testing purposes) If the lamps operate, you need to replace the relays. Hope your motors are unharmed. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
Thanks Jim, I'll give it a go.
I can't see how I might have damaged the right hand motor, but as this is not functioning it may be the relay. I wouldn't be surprised if the left hand motor is bust in view of the "seizure".
If I have managed to knacker the motors, does anyone know of a cheap source?
They look much like a Mini wiper motor.
>> Edited by PatHeald on Friday 31st January 18:16
I can't see how I might have damaged the right hand motor, but as this is not functioning it may be the relay. I wouldn't be surprised if the left hand motor is bust in view of the "seizure".
If I have managed to knacker the motors, does anyone know of a cheap source?
They look much like a Mini wiper motor.
>> Edited by PatHeald on Friday 31st January 18:16
PatHeald said: Thanks Jim, I'll give it a go.
I can't see how I might have damaged the right hand motor, but as this is not functioning it may be the relay. I wouldn't be surprised if the left hand motor is bust in view of the "seizure".
If I have managed to knacker the motors, does anyone know of a cheap source?
They look much like a Mini wiper motor.
>> Edited by PatHeald on Friday 31st January 18:16
Pat,
These motors are undoubtedly sourced from somewhere, but are major $$$ through Lotus and are getting to be made of 'Unobtainium'. It's not so much the motor as it is the transmission and gears. I know there is a very good repair shop in the US, Florida to be precise. I can't imagine there isn't a similar rebuild service available in the UK. Try a vintage restorer for infomation leading to a repairer. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
Might be worth giving Richard Moore a shout at moore racing www.moore-racing.co.uk/ as he has stripped down many a tasmin for racing and may still have motors.
Tell him Patrick told you to call....
Tell him Patrick told you to call....
Problem solved.
When I replaced the radiator I unbolted the radiator duct and left it suspended on the oil cooler and condenser hoses.
This moved the condenser hose where it runs behind the left headlight motor. It only moved maybe a half inch, but this was enough to foul the linkage.
The result was that the left pod stuck.
I checked the fuses and they were all intact, but I had missed the blade type fuse under the bonnet. Sure enough, this had popped.
Hose now moved back and fuse replaced. I now have functional lights.
I had cursed the expense of the Service Notes (£45), but this has now paid for itself, as I would otherwise have resorted to changing motors etc.
Thanks for all your help.
Pat.
When I replaced the radiator I unbolted the radiator duct and left it suspended on the oil cooler and condenser hoses.
This moved the condenser hose where it runs behind the left headlight motor. It only moved maybe a half inch, but this was enough to foul the linkage.
The result was that the left pod stuck.
I checked the fuses and they were all intact, but I had missed the blade type fuse under the bonnet. Sure enough, this had popped.
Hose now moved back and fuse replaced. I now have functional lights.
I had cursed the expense of the Service Notes (£45), but this has now paid for itself, as I would otherwise have resorted to changing motors etc.
Thanks for all your help.
Pat.
PatHeald said: Problem solved.
When I replaced the radiator I unbolted the radiator duct and left it suspended on the oil cooler and condenser hoses.
This moved the condenser hose where it runs behind the left headlight motor. It only moved maybe a half inch, but this was enough to foul the linkage.
The result was that the left pod stuck.
I checked the fuses and they were all intact, but I had missed the blade type fuse under the bonnet. Sure enough, this had popped.
Hose now moved back and fuse replaced. I now have functional lights.
I had cursed the expense of the Service Notes (£45), but this has now paid for itself, as I would otherwise have resorted to changing motors etc.
Thanks for all your help.
Pat.
Pat,
happy to hear the problem's fixed, I didn't mention fuses as I believe you stated that you had checked them. Happy Motoring! Jim '85TE
Gassing Station | Esprit | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff