89 headlight problem
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
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89 headlight problem
Hey guys! This is my 1st post. I live in Salem, Va.. Anyway, I just bought an 89 Corvette that was a 1 owner in Arizona. It has 8800 original miles. At least that's what the Carfax says. It's sitting in a DAS terminal awaiting shipment to me here. The guy I bought it from says the headlights will come halfway up and they will go back down, but they will not go all the way up. I know the bushings go bad in these things but I was just wondering about this problem. If both are doing this I would surmise that it might be some other problem. Anyone hear of this problem and can you tell me what type of fix I could be facing? I really appreciate it. Again, Greetings. I'll be 50 this yr. and I've always wanted to own a Vette. This is my first one! I can't wait to get it here. 
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
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Welcome to the Forum and congrats on your new Vette. 
When it arrives try to move the headlights with the manual ***** atop the motors. If they feel "mushy" replace the nylon bushings within the gear cases, else you will need to look elsewhere for the problem.
One of your first tools to purchase should be a copy of the GM Shop Manual by Helm for your Vette.
When it arrives try to move the headlights with the manual ***** atop the motors. If they feel "mushy" replace the nylon bushings within the gear cases, else you will need to look elsewhere for the problem.
One of your first tools to purchase should be a copy of the GM Shop Manual by Helm for your Vette.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,297
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Congrats and welcome
This info from my 86 manual should help you diagnose the problem
http://members.shaw.ca/dankai/Headlight%20Doors.pdf
This info from my 86 manual should help you diagnose the problem
http://members.shaw.ca/dankai/Headlight%20Doors.pdf
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Nylon bushings (spacers) are available at Home Depot 27/64" x 29/64" (three for .43 cents.)
Ask for item number 595609. You'll need 2 packs of 3 spacers for a total of 6 to do both lights. The UPC code on the package is 30699 87278. Total cost locally was $1.29 + tax.
Click this link for installation instructions and good luck. BTW, welcome to the Forum!
http://corvettefever.com/howto/33098/
Ask for item number 595609. You'll need 2 packs of 3 spacers for a total of 6 to do both lights. The UPC code on the package is 30699 87278. Total cost locally was $1.29 + tax.
Click this link for installation instructions and good luck. BTW, welcome to the Forum!
http://corvettefever.com/howto/33098/
Thread Starter
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Thanks for the resposes so far. I knew being a member of this forum would come in handy. I think it's pretty ironic that I'm already doing maintenance on my car and I haven't even seen it yet! By the way, if I need more bushings, how long a job is this and anyone have any tips for this job? Thanks Guys!
Team Owner
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Originally Posted by hokiess
Thanks for the resposes so far. I knew being a member of this forum would come in handy. I think it's pretty ironic that I'm already doing maintenance on my car and I haven't even seen it yet! By the way, if I need more bushings, how long a job is this and anyone have any tips for this job? Thanks Guys!
You should also check the C4 TechTips section of this Forum. There's a great article on how to remove the bushings step by step.
Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 45,085
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From: I was a young troubadour when I rode in on a song, and I'll be an old troubadour when I'm gone.
St. Jude Donor '08
Congrats on the new 'Vette and welcome to the forum. '89s are the absolute coolests C4s around. 
If headlights aren't working as they should, the bushings are most likely the culprit. I was forced to replace mine within about 3 weeks of purchasing my car. It has about 72,000 miles then.
Good luck!
If headlights aren't working as they should, the bushings are most likely the culprit. I was forced to replace mine within about 3 weeks of purchasing my car. It has about 72,000 miles then.
Good luck!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Obama=death for America
Originally Posted by 89C4L98
8,800 miles? or 88,000 miles? If it's 8,800 miles what did the guy do sit in the car, not drive it, and turn the headlight on and off 88,000 times to kill the bushings? 
Thread Starter
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I ran a Carfax on the 89. It stated that the car had 4,000 on it in 1999. It has had one owner. Evidently the car has sat in Arizona for quite some time, for what reason, I don't know. I guess some people just buy these cars and just take them down to the corner store every once in a while. I realize there is no rust in Arizona, but also realize I'm going to have some dryness issues with this car. The person I bought it from has already told me I'll need to replace the tires (full tread, just hard and dry-original) and the outside window wipes. It also has a split in the driver's side leather seat. Other than that, the restorer I bought it from said it was the tightest Vette he's ever driven and that it's very clean inside, other than the one seat. It's also going to need a paint job eventually as the Arizona sun has faded the paint in spots, especially on the rear end. I bought this thing as a fun project. Hopefully, it will be that. My first steps though will be to fix the window wipes,headlights, the seat, and get new tires on it. I just want to get it on the road and drive it. Any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Last edited by hokiess; Jun 23, 2005 at 06:58 AM.
