[DeTomaso] Headlights turn on but buckets don't open

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

Peter, assuming its not some mechanical problem like a cracked plastic 
gear, be sure the fuse is good and the fuse contacts are clean. The motor power 
comes off a side-post on the headlight switch; see if its still connected 
-its part of a bundle of wires that runs near the accelerator pedal. Next is 
an inop microswitch up near the radiator top, but these switches can be taken 
apart and cleaned with spray contact cleaner. I've never seen one 
permenently fail. Finally, the power connection to the headlight motor is mounted on 
a weird grommet-spade lug attached to the motor bottom that can and has 
disintegrated, shorting out to the motor case. I routinely remove the whole 
grommet and spade lug- which is only there to stabilize the motor wires, and 
that can be done with a simple tie-wrap. The last electrical problem might be a 
shorted commutator bar or a worn/broken brush in the headlight motor. This 
Ducellier motor is identical to those in the window -raising mechanism and 
are available from the vendors or used from owners that have upgraded their 
window lifts. Good luck- J DeRyke