Stereo & Electronics - headlight mod?

On the 98-02 firebirds, is there anyway to "turn off" the headlight from flipping open and then closing right back up when the car is unlocked/locked?

On the 98-02 firebirds, is there anyway to "turn off" the headlight from flipping open and then closing right back up when the car is unlocked/locked?

Um, Sorry to tell you, its not supposed to do that. When working correctly they do not do that. Read the t/a headlight faq (http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/pontiac-firebird-1967-2002/177470-trans-am-headlights-all-comments-questions-regarding-headlights-go-here.html) all 31 pages and stock up on beer too.

BTW-WELCOME to the forum.

One (or probably both) of your headlight actuator motors are bad. Is it grinding? Are they coming up when you turn on only the parking lights?

Mine was doing all of those things. I ended up having to replace both motors, but from what I have seen on here and heard elsewhere, there are cheaper alternatives like the brass gear, or turning the motor so the "good side" of the gear is turning the headlight, although that is very much a "band-aid" fix IMO.

^ it's not the actuators...the plastic gear in the headlight motors wear out over time. You could always replace the pop-up headlights with non-pop up kind of headlights. Pro: weight savings, no longer an air brake. Cons: potential to be called RICE. I've got them on my car and they get more compliments than flame. But, to each their own.

^ it's not the actuators...the plastic gear in the headlight motors wear out over time. You could always replace the pop-up headlights with non-pop up kind of headlights. Pro: weight savings, no longer an air brake. Cons: potential to be called RICE. I've got them on my car and they get more compliments than flame. But, to each their own.

How about some pics!?

potential to be called RICE

How can replacing those headlights with something that works be rice? I think some of the 98 Firehawks (or prototypes) had them.

That's what I meant about the gears. If mine ever go bad again, I will be taking that route myself!

I'll get some pics up this evening but to answer the RICE questions...before I got mine a few of my fellow local F-body friends flamed me saying that the pop up lights were what made the TA/Firebirds stand out. But you're right about the 98 Prototype Firehawks, they had the original design and they would've been awesome if they made it to production. The ones I've got are from Breatheless Performance. I thought I'd get them to just be different but I love them now that they're on the car!

whar can i see some prices on the non pop up lights?

look around on ebay? there was a set of the prototype ones going for only 25,000$ :P

EDIT: i do like the look of the stationary ones, but not for 1k$...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/98-UP-02-01-00-FIREBIRD-TRANS-AM-HEADLIGHT-CONVERSION_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2e m14QQhashZitem563424388fQQitemZ370241976463QQptZMo torsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_1158wt _1095

breathlessperformance.com

I got lucky and bought a used set from a member on the board here. didn't pay anywhere near the MSRP.

Pics as promised!