(Another) Headlight Question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: I don't deserve this car, but I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either. Bay Point, FL
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
(Another) Headlight Question
Okay, so I just bought my first C4, an '88 35th Anniversary. I have always like the C4s and I love this car, but I guess I forgot to check the headlights before I bought it.
Two questions about headlights: While the hood was open I turned on the headlights accidentally, they rotated and I quickly shut them off fearing I had done something stupid by rotating the headlights with the hood open. First question is, could that the reason they don't open and close properly now? The manual states in case of headlamp motor failure to rotate the control **** until the headlamp is completely up or down. So the second question is which way do I rotate the ****? When I rotate it it feels loose like nothing is happening. I finally got the headlamps shut and the hood closed but now I don't want to turn the headlights on until I know what's going on. Thanks for your help! --john
Two questions about headlights: While the hood was open I turned on the headlights accidentally, they rotated and I quickly shut them off fearing I had done something stupid by rotating the headlights with the hood open. First question is, could that the reason they don't open and close properly now? The manual states in case of headlamp motor failure to rotate the control **** until the headlamp is completely up or down. So the second question is which way do I rotate the ****? When I rotate it it feels loose like nothing is happening. I finally got the headlamps shut and the hood closed but now I don't want to turn the headlights on until I know what's going on. Thanks for your help! --john
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: OC Calif
St. Jude Donor '10
I don't think you can hurt the headlights opening it with the hood up, as if you did need to use the manual opening, you have to have the hood up to access. With that said, to open the headlights, it's counter-clockwise. You have to crank on them for a while before they get going, once they do, they open easily. There's some lag in there for some reason.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Try it a few times manually so you get used to it. When the headlight burns out and you have to replace the lamp you will need to turn the motor manually with the hood open to remove the necessary screws
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From: Vero Beach Florida
Last edited by floridamale; May 16, 2010 at 07:46 AM.
Safety Car
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From: Jacksonville FL
I had stripped gears in one of my motors and it wouldnt turn off. I just left the plug undone and briefly put it back to get it open or closed. Kinda a PITA but worked. The manual **** will take forever as the light moves so little with alot of turning of the ****. Right under the headlight assembly there are two weatherproof style plugs. One goes to the lamp, one to the motor. Figure out which is which and plug and unplug accordingly.
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From: OC Calif
St. Jude Donor '10
Is actually easier (once the motor is working again) to turn on the lights and click them back one click to parking lights at mid-open (half way)- this will get you better access to the screws for bulb replacement and the headlight will freeze where ever you turn the **** back, plus the headlight is off.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,939
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From: Vero Beach Florida
Is actually easier (once the motor is working again) to turn on the lights and click them back one click to parking lights at mid-open (half way)- this will get you better access to the screws for bulb replacement and the headlight will freeze where ever you turn the **** back, plus the headlight is off.
I have a battery cut of switch and I use it when ever I work on any thing electrical
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,378
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From: I don't deserve this car, but I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either. Bay Point, FL
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Sheese, I've cranked and cranked those manual headlamp control ***** until I think I'm getting carpal tunnel! The headlight units only moved or twitched slightly. Reminds of my first wife, but that's another story.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,615
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From: Tampa Fl
If you here the motors running you have bad gears,thats better than bad motors.Its and easy fix(well about a 4 hour fix).get gears and new bushings and follow the instructions for bushing replacement.Also watch the small ballbearing at the end of the worm gear dont loose it and make sure its supporting the gear with the bolt after replacement.
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From: OC Calif
St. Jude Donor '10
But if you are working on them for any lenght of time you don't want to just leave the parking lights on. if you are taking the housing out to repair they have to be disconnected any way.
I have a battery cut of switch and I use it when ever I work on any thing electrical
I have a battery cut of switch and I use it when ever I work on any thing electrical
I should have continued my thought- hit the lights, stop em half way, then you can pop the negative off the battery. I was just pointing out an easy way to get them to the half way open point