When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Looking down on actuator shaft assembly Side view. Plate is the inverted T shape in the center of photo Angled view.
I have an 1989 C4 (6 speed, Z51) with a right headlamp that occasionally will not close. There appears to be a loose or broken metal plate attached to the external linkage. This plate is not present on the left side headlamp. I've attached several photos of the plate, It is the inverted "T" shaped piece hanging down from the horizontal shaft. When the lamp hangs up, I can fiddle with the plate and cycle the lamp until it closes. Looking down on the shaft, it looks like this plate was either threaded on the shaft or otherwise attached to it. So, what is this plate, how should it be oriented in the mechanism and is it repairable or replaceable? thanks.
I wish I could help, but I just looked at both headlights on my 94 and that plate isn’t there. Everything else looks the same minus the plate. They changed headlight motor designs over the years.
Just went through this a couple of months ago. The piece you are referring to is the stop. GM stooped making the motors with that. It appears to be correctly oriented to me
I'm going to take WAG on this. Based on the minimal scuff marks on the black paint, it looks to me like this is a recent malfunction. Could it be that this plate has rotated out of position on its shaft? It does look like it is designed to limit the rotation of the assembly, but the tabs aren't hitting the stops like I would expect. I'm going to guess this plate should be pointing at the 12 o'clock position, rather that the 6 o'clock position it is now. Could it be the other headlight has this plate in its proper position, but can't be seen because it's hidden? Again, just my WAG.
I just did the bushings in my 1992 headlight motors. Here are photos of the assembly before a took it apart. Hope this helps.
I notice that you have hex bolts on the bracket, and not Torx.
Thanks for the helpful info and the photos. I didn't notice the hex head screws on my unit. I know the last owner had both motors replaced (paperwork and the crimp connectors) so I suspect his mechanic subbed in the non-standard screws. I also noticed that your unit has a stamped stop tab that the T shaped plate strikes, but my unit lacks that stop tab ( there's a rivet head in the same place). I wonder now if the replacement motor assembly doesn't need this plate and it is expendable? This might explain why the left unit lacks this part.
C4 headlamp - external linkage problem
