Confirm the exact symptom
One door or both? Does the lamp itself illuminate? Does the door fail opening, closing, or both? The pattern changes where diagnosis starts.
LIGHTING · 2002 · POP-UP HEADLAMPS
2002 Firebird Headlamp Doors Inoperative
A door that will not raise or lower is not automatically a stripped motor gear. Separate command, module, feed, wiring and mechanical/motor faults first.
APPLICATION: 2002 Pontiac Firebird / Formula / Trans Am. Configuration-specific equipment must match the vehicle before applying a circuit path.
Understand the control path
The factory system uses a headlamp-door control module that reverses polarity to the door motors. Battery feed, switch inputs, module output and motor/mechanical operation are separate test points.
Use left-versus-right comparison
If only one side fails while the other follows commands, shared switch/module inputs become less likely. Inspect the affected motor circuit, connector and mechanism before buying parts.
DO NOT BUY A GEAR YET
Grinding can support a gear/mechanical fault, but a silent inoperative door needs electrical isolation first. Prove motor command and mechanical failure before the parts verdict.
FPV RULE
OBSERVE → MEASURE → ISOLATE → PROVE → REPAIR → VERIFY. A symptom or DTC is a starting point, not a parts verdict.