Head light motors??
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 129
From: Plainfield IN
Head light motors??
I hope this isn't a dumb question - but - why do the motors run after just turning off the parking lights - the head lights were not turned on - is this normal??
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Not really. It should stop unless your pucks inside the motor area are shot.
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...iJoaAq4E8P8HAQ
I prefer the brass one but that is fine too.
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...iJoaAq4E8P8HAQ
I prefer the brass one but that is fine too.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,772
Likes: 177
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
I don't think its normal, but you didn't list the year.
My '96 does not do that.
The only time the headlight motors run, is to rotate them (either close them or open them).
If I just turn on the parking lights, the headlights remain off and the motors do not run.
When I turn the parking lights off, the headlight motors do not run.
With that said, if you turn your headlights on they will or should flip up (motors run to do that).
Now if you turn the switch back to the parking light position, the headlights will go off (but buckets stay up).
Then if you turn off the parking lights, the motors will run to close the buckets.
At least that is how the '96 works.
Or did I misunderstand your question?
My '96 does not do that.
The only time the headlight motors run, is to rotate them (either close them or open them).
If I just turn on the parking lights, the headlights remain off and the motors do not run.
When I turn the parking lights off, the headlight motors do not run.
With that said, if you turn your headlights on they will or should flip up (motors run to do that).
Now if you turn the switch back to the parking light position, the headlights will go off (but buckets stay up).
Then if you turn off the parking lights, the motors will run to close the buckets.
At least that is how the '96 works.
Or did I misunderstand your question?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 14
From: Nampa Idaho
My 90 started doing that too after only using the parking lights, the motor runs after turning them off. I tried the headlights and they only partially worked, so I shut them off and they closed, so i didn't mess with them anymore! 
That will be my spring project getting the gears replaced. I don't drive it at night anyway, so no big deal.
That will be my spring project getting the gears replaced. I don't drive it at night anyway, so no big deal.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 129
From: Plainfield IN
So the motors do continue to run after the lights go out - I just timed mine and they run less than 10 seconds for both lights AND for the parking lights only or the head lights too.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
I think we are looking for different things. I'm looking for how long it runs after it has reached close which is an issue with the puck's disintegration. What you are doing is measuring how long the motor runs from the instant you shut off.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16,092
Likes: 819
From: Dallas Texas
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
My car does the same. Has done it since I bought it. Now, one headlight I will have to close manually. But I that's why I run HID fogs. I'll fix the headlights soon.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 609
Likes: 239
From: Franklin NC
My 'parking lights' also made noise for about 5-7 seconds after turning them off. After just having the 'pucks' replaced on both sides (old ones disintegrated) my parking lights and headlights are quiet and turn off almost instantly with no running noise. Sounds like you are experiencing the same thing.
...friggen mouse got into my dash one year and since thing been having problems with the BCM and 1 motor running longer then it should.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Pucks, bushings or dowels, etc. See picture I posted. The motor moves till it hits resistance then it stops
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Because the plastic is that old, I'd like to change it especially to bronze. I was glad I did since I happened to find a few hairline cracks in mine when I replaced them prophylactically