1985 Pontiac Fiero pop-up headlights

BIGERN70

MEMBER
1985 PONTIAC FIERO
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
305,000 MILES

For years the pop-up headlights on my 85 Fiero SE only light up when I press the headlight switch, but they don't simultaneously pop up automatically from their stored position under the hood. The only way to get the motors going to raise them is to turn the headlight switch back to OFF, then carefully press and hold the headlight rocker switch about halfway to "ON" (without pressing the switch on fully and latching it) until the lights have popped up and are lit, at which point I press the rocker switch all the way ON, latching it and the lights are fine. (Note: they go off and store just fine by pressing OFF once, like normal) I've replaced the switch in the past, to no avail. What could be the problem?

2 Replies

DAVIDBR13

MEMBER
6 POSTS

This smacks of an electrical problem that I have experienced with my 1986. Inside 1984 to 1986 headlight motors there is a limit switch that shuts down the motors when the headlights are fully open or closed. Mine had this problem for a while intermittently, and then after a while, one would simply not run. The heart of the limit switch assembly is a reed relay inside a glass tube, and it had burned out. I imagine after 305000 miles, yours is getting close to that point as well, or had damaged contact points.

I got some used motors from ebay and used the parts to rebuild my problem motor, but now, these limit switches are available from the fiero store (www. Fierostore. Com)! To access, remove the motor, remove the little access panel, and you can change out the switch assembly. You may also have a problem with the dash switch, but since you state that you changed it out before and it made no difference, it is likely not to blame.

Good luck!