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Squealing Pig Headlight
Posted: 29 Mar 2008 22:35
by kermit
I mentioned this before on another thread and am still getting a loud squeal everytime I turn the headlights on. I have soaked the linkage points several times with the lubricant that was suggested and even pulled another motor/bracket off a car from a local junkyard and that one made the same noise [xx(].
Could it be something electrical that could cause this noise, like a relay?
Where are the headlight motor relays located on the car? I was thinking about replacing it with a new one to see if it has an effect.
Thanks
80 TR7 DHC with ZS Carbs
Brooklands Green
Posted: 29 Mar 2008 23:29
by jclay (RIP 2018)
Put your head near the glove box and turn on the lights. Is the noise coming from there?
Posted: 30 Mar 2008 04:08
by FI Spyder
Could be relay. What about the possibility of a dry worm drive and gear or motor bearings?
TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

Posted: 31 Mar 2008 01:21
by kermit
JClay- The squealing noise is definately coming from the headlight assembly. I can hear two simultaneous ticks inside the glove box when the switch is activated to on or off, which I assume are the relays.
FI Spyder- The worm gear could definately be dry from sitting for many years, but it is strange that the exact same noise came from two separate assemblies. I guess they both could be dry.
80 TR7 DHC with ZS Carbs
Brooklands Green
Posted: 31 Mar 2008 03:27
by jclay (RIP 2018)
Ok, it makes the noise when the light goes up, but not down?
Makes the same noise with either assembly?
I believe that you have something that is scraping against the assembly when it goes up, but when it goes down it just glides past it. Kind of like the low pad gauges on some brake pads. Probably a small piece of metal the is bent and touching the housing as it moves.
Posted: 31 Mar 2008 14:59
by KRenken
I had a rebuilt headlight motor assembly that squeaked and squawked when the motor ran. I had to open up the limit switch assembly and adjust the tension on the gears. If my memory serves, there is a tensioning screw on the motor case. It was a little loose on my motor assembly...a slight tightening and the noise went away. I'll try to remember to take some pictures and post them when I get home from work this evening.
Kimmit
1980 DHC
GM 3.8 v6 fi

Posted: 31 Mar 2008 20:18
by kermit
Thanks guys..
I am getting the noise when the pods move up & down.
80 TR7 DHC with ZS Carbs
Brooklands Green
Posted: 31 Mar 2008 23:44
by KRenken
Here is the adjustment screw.
The photos above show the adjustment screw. Simply loosen the set nut and adjust. You will most likely need to have the motor assembly removed from the car to accomplish this.
Take hold of the knob as in the picture below and try to pull it in and out to feel how much play there is. I removed all play from mine to eliminate the squeal.
Kimmit
1980 DHC
GM 3.8 v6 fi

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 00:01
by kermit
Kimmit,
Thats got to be the problem and your pictures are very helpful. I'll pull the assembly out and give it a try.
Thanks again.
80 TR7 DHC with ZS Carbs
Brooklands Green