75 914-4 FI

My headlights work great, with one exception.

When I try to manually open the lights, they open about 1/4" then the motor spins on its own to full open then to full close.

Seems odd to me, because I've opened and closed them before and never had an issue.

The only thing I've done lately is to hook up an electric water pump for the windshield washer - tied into the black/brown wire and it operates from the inside wiper arm by pulling it towards you. Washer motor works just fine. Can't think it's in any way related, but hey - I always consider the last thing you fix may break something else.

????

Thanks,

Len

the only way i can open mine manually with them staying open is to remove the headlight relay.

Len,
Yep, that's just how they work. Pull the round relay below either light and you can operate them manually without them automatically retracting.

Or rotate the other direction? Watch your fingers!

Mine operated different before.
You could turn the knob almost all the way open, then a little more and they would turn on and close under power.

Mabe try the opposite direction like BobW suggests.

I'd try it again, but my car no longer has HL motors.

The behavior is normal, or at least pretty close to normal. Exactly where in the travel the "close" circuit takes over seems to vary, but it's the same functionality. Depends on the adjustment of the microswitches inside the motor or linkage.

You can pull the headlight motor relay to keep the light in whatever position you set it. Or disconnect the car's battery. You might also be able to disable the close function by pulling the headlight switch out one notch? I think I remember doing that with my 74, at least.

--DD

If you spin the knob in "the other direction" you'll soon have the knob in your hand.

Well then, I guess the times I've operated them manually I must have had the battery disconnected.

So, then what is the point of having the knobs?

Is there no way to manually open the lights and have them operate?

The purpose of the knobs is to serve as a manual way to raise the lights in case there is some kind of electrical failure to the motor or relay. This allows you to still drive at night if you need to.

As said above, just unplug the relay if you want to move them manually.

And watch your fingers!
There is a reason why the "eyebrows" are rubber mounted and the linkage has a cover. When that motor kicks in, you won't have time to get your fingers out of the way.