Pontiac Firebird Headlight Motors

• When the Pontiac Firebird was overhauled for its third generation, one of the big changes was the introduction of the iconic pop-up headlight panels.
• Eventually, the headlight motor that opens and closes the pop-up headlights will need to be replaced.
• Common Firebird headlight motor problems are: headlights getting stuck in the open or closed position, unusually fast or slow opening of the headlight doors, and clicking or grinding noises during opening and closing of the headlight doors.
• The cost of an OE replacement Pontiac Firebird headlight motor is around $50 to $300 depending on your Firebird’s year model and trim. Take note that each headlight has its own motor, so if both headlights are showing signs of a bad headlight motor, expect to pay double the price stated above.

The Pontiac Firebird was a top-selling pony car with a long history. The Firebird was introduced in 1967 as General Motors’ answer to the popular Ford Mustang. When the Pontiac Firebird was overhauled for its third generation, one of the big changes was the introduction of the iconic pop-up headlight panels. The new headlights created a distinct look for the Firebird, and it retained this headlight style until production was ended in 2002.

Although the Firebird was discontinued when General Motors shut down its Pontiac arm, fans of the iconic muscle car continue to care for them to keep them on the road. While most Firebirds, from the base model to the luxury trims, have excellent build quality, some of its components will eventually have to be replaced due to wear and tear. One Firebird component that’s notorious for requiring replacement is the headlight motor.

Pop-up headlights work by having a headlight motor open the headlight panel or door when the operator turns on a switch. Once the car is turned off, the headlights pop back in and the panels shut flat. Pop-up headlights give cars a unique unibody look when not in use and a distinctive muscle car appearance while on the road.

While pop-up headlights like the ones in the third gen to sixth gen Firebird look spectacular, modern technology has rendered them practically obsolete. The last production cars to feature pop-up headlights were released in 2004. That’s why if you want to keep your Firebird’s pop-up headlights in top shape by replacing any damaged components, you will have to rely on Pontiac Firebird aftermarket parts.

Many Pontiac Firebird owners have reported problems with their headlight motor or headlight actuator failing after some time. This causes the headlights to get stuck in the closed or open position.

Another common problem is the plastic gear wearing out quickly. Sometimes, the headlight motor is still operational but the plastic or nylon gear gets stripped out rapidly which results in the same headlight sticking issue. Some owners have reported that replacing the stock plastic gear with a metal gear resolves the problem.

One of the most common signs of a failing Firebird headlight motor, is an unusual noise that occurs when opening or closing the headlights. The noise can sound like a grinding or clicking noise that sometimes continues even after the headlight panel has popped up or closed down completely.

Another sign of a bad headlight motor is unusual operation of the headlights. If your headlights pop up fine then immediately closes or vice versa, you need to check the headlight motor and other related components. Headlights that open or close too quickly or too slowly can also point to a headlight motor problem.

The cost of an OE replacement Pontiac Firebird headlight motor is around $50 to $300 depending on your Firebird’s year model and trim. Take note that each headlight has its own motor, so if both headlights are showing signs of a bad headlight motor, expect to pay double the price stated above.