Skip to main content

Good afternoon, I just replaced my headlight motor and gear. The wires on the new motor are colored yellow and blue. I did not get any instructions with it. I assume the yellow wire goes to the yellow wire from the old motor and the blue is ground.

I was able to raise the headlights with a small 12volt battery, but once hooked up the to the wires in the car  the lights come on but do not raise or lower.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thank you

Mark Brandreth

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Too many unknowns to give an answer.

what was the reason you replaced your motor?

did you manage to replace the motor with the motor plate still installed, or did you remove the entire motor plate?

prior to replacing the motor what was the condition of your lights?

Did they raise and lower correctly?

did the lights turn on and off correctly?

The action of the headlight motor goes through a DPDT relay located inside the cabin and is dependent on proper operation of both of the small limit switches on the motor plate.  

Larry

Hello Larry, thanks for getting back to me.
I replaced the motor and gear as the lights stopped going up or down due to a cracked plastic gear.
I removed the motor plate and installed the motor and gear, then installed the plate back on the car.
Everything worked as normal until I turned on the lights and they stooped half way open, due to the cracked gear I think.
Prior top that everything worked fine.
The DPDT relay appears to be working fine as I can see and hear movement in the relay when turning on the lights as it did before when the gear was bad.
I have not replaced the small limit switches.
Thanks for your help.Mark Brandreth

On Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 03:00:25 PM EDT, The De Tomaso Forums <alerts@crowdstack.com> wrote:

[New Reply] headlight motor replace 1972 Pantera
| == To reply by email, write above this line. == |
|
New Reply By lf-tp2511
|
| headlight motor replace 1972 PanteraReply by lf-tp2511
Too many unknowns to give an answer.

what was the reason you replaced your motor?

did you manage to replace the motor with the motor plate still installed, or did you remove the entire motor plate?

prior to replacing the motor what was the condition of your lights?

Did they raise and lower correctly?

did the lights turn on and off correctly?

The action of the headlight motor goes through a DPDT relay located inside the cabin and is dependent on proper operation of both of the small limit switches on the motor plate.  

Larry

[ View Reply ]
|
| The De Tomaso Forums
You received this based on your notification settings. You can adjust your settings or unsubscribe anytime.
|
Thank you Larry

On Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 03:54:03 PM EDT, The De Tomaso Forums <alerts@crowdstack.com> wrote:

[New Reply] headlight motor replace 1972 Pantera
| == To reply by email, write above this line. == |
|
New Reply By lf-tp2511
|
| headlight motor replace 1972 PanteraReply by lf-tp2511
Sounds like you didn’t make any apparent miss steps in the process.

I think I would start by troubleshooting the limit switches.

use this link to get to Panteraplace and the electrical diagram on the headlight motor operation

http://www.panteraplace.com/El...AND%20DOORS%20P2.pdf

Larry

[ View Reply ]
|
| The De Tomaso Forums
You received this based on your notification settings. You can adjust your settings or unsubscribe anytime.
|
Yes, I have tried everything.
Thank youMark brandreth

On Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 07:33:04 PM EDT, The De Tomaso Forums <alerts@crowdstack.com> wrote:

[New Reply] headlight motor replace 1972 Pantera
| == To reply by email, write above this line. == |
|
New Reply By forestg
|
| headlight motor replace 1972 PanteraReply by forestg
Be sure you have the ignition switch turned on to the accessory location or lights will not move.

[ View Reply ]
|
| The De Tomaso Forums
You received this based on your notification settings. You can adjust your settings or unsubscribe anytime.
|

Well  besides all the above you migth try to CHANGE the wires. The spec has Yellow and Green! The doubble micro switches set up and the wireing is tricky. If I recap correcly if the wires to the motor are in wrong order buckets go up but not down. ..

wind the light in the middle position by hand or by short bat supply directly at the  motor.  Then apply car wires - changed order..

just a try.

Mat

Thank you Mat. I will try today.
Mark

On Monday, June 13, 2022 at 03:31:53 AM EDT, The De Tomaso Forums <alerts@crowdstack.com> wrote:

[New Reply] headlight motor replace 1972 Pantera
| == To reply by email, write above this line. == |
|
New Reply By matg
|
| headlight motor replace 1972 PanteraReply by matg
Well  besides all the above you migth try to CHANGE the wires. The spec has Yellow and Green! The doubble micro switches set up and the wireing is tricky. If I recap correcly if the wires to the motor are in wrong order buckets go up but not down. ..

wind the light in the middle position by hand or by short bat supply directly at the  motor.  Then apply car wires - changed order..

just a try.

Mat

[ View Reply ]
|
| The De Tomaso Forums
You received this based on your notification settings. You can adjust your settings or unsubscribe anytime.
|

As we haven’t heard of you successfully solving your problem, I thought I would share yet another troubleshooting approach.

it is possible for a relay solenoid to properly function and still not make an electrical connection. The OEM DPDT relay has a clear cover that is easily removed. This will allow inspection and, if necessary, polishing of the contacts.

do not know the history of your car but if it has sat for sometime then corrosion on the contacts is certainly a possibility.

Larry

Hello Larry, Thanks for the suggestion and I will get back on the car later today. I will keep you updated.
Thanks againMark

On Monday, June 13, 2022 at 12:48:55 PM EDT, The De Tomaso Forums <alerts@crowdstack.com> wrote:

[New Reply] headlight motor replace 1972 Pantera
| == To reply by email, write above this line. == |
|
New Reply By lf-tp2511
|
| headlight motor replace 1972 PanteraReply by lf-tp2511
As we haven’t heard of you successfully solving your problem, I thought I would share yet another troubleshooting approach.

it is possible for a relay solenoid to properly function and still not make an electrical connection. The OEM DPDT relay has a clear cover that is easily removed. This will allow inspection and, if necessary, polishing of the contacts.

do not know the history of your car but if it has sat for sometime then corrosion on the contacts is certainly a possibility.

Larry

[ View Reply ]
|
| The De Tomaso Forums
You received this based on your notification settings. You can adjust your settings or unsubscribe anytime.
|
Problem solved, I reversed the 2 wires on the headlight motor like Mat had suggested and everything works great. The wires on the new motor are different in color.
Thanks Larry and Mat.
Mark Brandreth


On Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 04:00:48 PM EDT, Mark Brandreth <markabrandreth@yahoo.com> wrote:

Thank you Larry

On Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 03:54:03 PM EDT, The De Tomaso Forums <alerts@crowdstack.com> wrote:

[New Reply] headlight motor replace 1972 Pantera
| == To reply by email, write above this line. == |
|
New Reply By lf-tp2511
|
| headlight motor replace 1972 PanteraReply by lf-tp2511
Sounds like you didn’t make any apparent miss steps in the process.

I think I would start by troubleshooting the limit switches.

use this link to get to Panteraplace and the electrical diagram on the headlight motor operation

http://www.panteraplace.com/El...AND%20DOORS%20P2.pdf

Larry

[ View Reply ]
|
| The De Tomaso Forums
You received this based on your notification settings. You can adjust your settings or unsubscribe anytime.
|
Hello Larry, I am going to replace 2 rear tires. Any suggestions.
ThanksMark

On Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 01:16:14 PM EDT, The De Tomaso Forums <alerts@crowdstack.com> wrote:

[New Reply] headlight motor replace 1972 Pantera
| == To reply by email, write above this line. == |
|
New Reply By lf-tp2511
|
| headlight motor replace 1972 PanteraReply by lf-tp2511
Congratulations on sticking with it until you fixed the problem. Glad we could help.

Larry

[ View Reply ]
|
| The De Tomaso Forums
You received this based on your notification settings. You can adjust your settings or unsubscribe anytime.
|
OKThanksMark

On Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 03:39:02 PM EDT, The De Tomaso Forums <alerts@crowdstack.com> wrote:

[New Reply] headlight motor replace 1972 Pantera
| == To reply by email, write above this line. == |
|
New Reply By lf-tp2511
|
| headlight motor replace 1972 PanteraReply by lf-tp2511
You should start a new thread in the appropriate topic area to receive attention and suggestions

you will need to include your wheel sizes, locations and current sizes, etc.

Larry

[ View Reply ]
|
| The De Tomaso Forums
You received this based on your notification settings. You can adjust your settings or unsubscribe anytime.
|

As with many other subjects, this one recurs every few years as well. Besides what you went thru to date for a metal bear swap, there is an electrical oddment in the way the headlight gearbox was originally installed. Specifically, that plain DC motor MUST run ungrounded to be reversible. So for unknown reasons, the single, short power wire into the motor case is factory supported at the end of the motor by a special Bakelite support stand-off for a spade lug normally used to ground  wires.

Except in the case of a DeTomaso! If the tiny Bakelite insulator/support ever cracks or is damaged, it will attract road moisture and provide a ground path, which can inactivate one side of the reverser arrangement or even blow fuses "for no reason." And your headlights will not come up, or maybe not go back down. I chased this for a whole wet Saturday on our Pantera.

The simple "fix" is to unplug the power wire from the sensitive insulated spade lug and plug the motor wire directly into the power feed from the stock wiring loom. Then well tape or shrink-wrap the connection. Support the loose wire with more tape or a zip-tie around the motor case. Thats it!

Thanks for the info. I reversed the wires on the new motor and everything works. Plastic gear was also cracked and replaced. New motor had different colored wires.Thanks again for the info.Mark

On Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 03:02:25 PM EDT, The De Tomaso Forums <alerts@crowdstack.com> wrote:

[New Reply] headlight motor replace 1972 Pantera
| == To reply by email, write above this line. == |
|
New Reply By bosswrench
|
| headlight motor replace 1972 PanteraReply by bosswrench
As with many other subjects, this one recurs every few years as well. Besides what you went thru to date for a metal bear swap, there is an electrical oddment in the way the headlight gearbox was originally installed. Specifically, that plain DC motor MUST run ungrounded to be reversible. So for unknown reasons, the single, short power wire into the motor case is factory supported at the end of the motor by a special Bakelite support stand-off for a spade lug normally used to ground  wires.

Except in the case of a DeTomaso! If the tiny Bakelite insulator/support ever cracks or is damaged, it will attract road moisture and provide a ground path, which can inactivate one side of the reverser arrangement or even blow fuses "for no reason." And your headlights will not come up, or maybe not go back down. I chased this for a whole wet Saturday on our Pantera.

The simple "fix" is to unplug the power wire from the sensitive insulated spade lug and plug the motor wire directly into the power feed from the stock wiring loom. Then well tape or shrink-wrap the connection. Support the loose wire with more tape or a zip-tie around the motor case. Thats it!

[ View Reply ]
|
| The De Tomaso Forums
You received this based on your notification settings. You can adjust your settings or unsubscribe anytime.
|

Add Reply

Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×