A temporary substitution to headlights

[alolmo]

I am having some problems with my headlights in both sides, I need to replace both revolving mechanisms and until I get them I need a temporary solution for lights. Any suggestions? Can I make headlights out of the blinkers and use the banana markers as both blinker and markers?
Thank you all.

[baz]

i used to use the side markers as blinkers on my gt and had H4 lights (dip and high beam ) in the bins under the bumper dont know if you could do the bananas to work as both as we have different light laws here
cab you not just put the lights in the up poz and leave them there while you get rotators ?

[wrench459]

Originally Posted by alolmo Can I make headlights out of the blinkers and use the banana markers as both blinker and markers? Thank you all.

With todays lighting systems I don't believe anyone would notice.
Except us diehard Opelers

[oldopelguy]

Check you location for minimum headlight laws, it's usually 24" to the center of the bulb. It wasn't a big issue for the longest time, but a lot of cops have recently been using it as an excuse for pulling over the low-rider Hondas so the rule is pretty fresh in their minds.

[namba209]

Al, there is a really good thread on the site by Keith Wilford on how to repair the rotating mechanisms, and a very good tech article by Wayne Torman on how to remove and re-install the mechanisms. I would suggest, from experience, that you shouldn't have to replace them, just a real good cleaning and lubrication should do the trick. Use the search button to find these, you could save yourself a lot of grief. IDK what the rule is on exterior lites here in CA, but I like the suggestion to roll the headlights up and leave them there. Of course when you turn the key on they will also turn on, but with the short daylight hours, it shouldn't be that bad.

[alolmo]

Ron and every one else, the thing is I have two broken bolts in one of them and 1 on the other, so I think it would be a pain to drill them out, that’s why I decided to replace them as an easier solution but of course I still jet to find them. I like the idea of keeping them open though.

[markandson]

Originally Posted by alolmo Ron and every one else, the thing is I have two broken bolts in one of them and 1 on the other, so I think it would be a pain to drill them out, that’s why I decided to replace them as an easier solution but of course I still jet to find them. I like the idea of keeping them open though.

Keith's thread gives detailed info on how to get the bolts out, give it a shot you have nothing to lose if you are willing to buy another set anyway.

[namba209]

Originally Posted by markandson Keith's thread gives detailed info on how to get the bolts out, give it a shot you have nothing to lose if you are willing to buy another set anyway.

Here's another tip for you and anyone else that has the same problem. A 10-32, shanked, Grade 8, bolt will work as a replacement for those broken rotator bolts. I used aircraft allen head bolts with safety wire holes in them on Willit? and they worked out really well. Also, whether you use the original bolts or others, I would recommend using anti-seize compound on them, just so they won't rust weld in place and snap if you have to remove them. One more thing, the spring steel plates that the bolts go through, have more holes in them than just the three bolt holes. The other holes are for the split pins to hold the plates. That is where the rotating force is supposed to be applied to the plates, if the pins are driven too far in to the hub, the bolts take the forces of the rotation and that's what causes them to get loose and eventually break.

[alolmo]

Well I believe I’ve got my answer I think that for the time being I’ll run the car with the “eyes” open until I muster enough courage to take all apart again. As always I thank you all for taking the time.

[Gary Sullivan]

I have removed the headlight mechanisms and repaired them and there are some cautions in working with them. I think they are a serious piece of engineering, so I recommend going easy before taking a lot apart. I too have had good experience with carefully cleaning them, replacing old wiring, and lubing them and the release cable. Sometimes the problems with these flip over headlights is they just need a little careful TLC and maintenance.
You could probably get away with some temporary headlights but if they don't look permanent I suspect you are likely to get pulled over. If you do that however, I would use power from the headlight wiring as you still need the functionality of a regular headlight. In thinking about mounting them, or using housings below the bumper, I am not certain that would fly in a lot of states.
Good luck

[alolmo]

Yes Gary I totally agreed with all your points, there is no easy fix I fear. Opelparts.com carries these actuators, not cheap but that’s another option

[kwilford]

Not that difficult:

http://www.opelgt.com/forums/2c-gt-h...echanisms.html

[Gary Sullivan]

I looked at Keiths posts on the headlights. Wow! They are highly impressive. My experience is puny by comparison.....not nearly so well documented.....I don't have any pictures and my headlight history included a whole lot more cussing.

[namba209]

Gary, there are numerous threads, projects and articles on this site that deal with the numerous known problems we have or have had on our Opels. Granted, they may not be as descriptive as Keith's is, but they do help in keeping the cars on the road. That is one of the main reasons for this site, Opelers helping Opelers. If it wasn't for Gary maintaining this site and making the required upgrades, all that information would be lost. Using Keith's thread as an example, you can see why we ask folks to use the search engine to help assist with their problems.

[kwilford]

Originally Posted by Gary Sullivan I looked at Keiths posts on the headlights. Wow! They are highly impressive. My experience is puny by comparison.....not nearly so well documented.....I don't have any pictures and my headlight history included a whole lot more cussing.

Thanks for the kind words Gary. Believe me, there was LOTS of cussing while getting to the point where I actually figured the darn mechanisms out. I probably broke three drill bits, two screw extractors and at least four taps inside the swivel bracket holes before I figured out that they are very darn hard little bolts, and the gear is also hardened. Oh, and the holes weren't threaded all the way through from the front.

I hope that my photo essay was of help, and that you have success in repairing your headlights.