headlight motor
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
headlight motor
Hello I have a C4 and the headlight is stuck open. There is no clicking sound. Do I bother taking it apart or do I assume the motor is burned out and just replace the whole thing. Thanks in advance.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
Thanks for you reply. 1984 just purchased. First time I used the headlights - no problem, second time the drivers side stayed open. No clicking sound, no motor sound - nothing. Yes its plugged in.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 138
Likes: 19
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Make sure you are getting power. I just replaced the drivers side headlight motor. The top part that lets you adjust it manually came off so I replaced it. Worked one time. I knew the old motor itself was working although not correctly so I jumpered it and it turned. Plugged it into the passenger side and it turned. I made up a long enough jumper to reach the drivers side and the new installed motor works perfectly. Now to find out why I am not getting any power on the drivers side.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 138
Likes: 19
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
It was the headlight module. When the light flipped open after replacing the motor the wires got pinched and shorted out the module. Replaced module al good now.
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Cruising
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
Hello - I have a 1990 C-4 with similar issues. However, when I turn the lights on - it sounds like "chitty chitty bang bang" under the hood. Driver side opens no problems, but the passenger side frequently gets stuck. If I turn on/off several times, it seems to get better, but sometimes it remains stuck halfway.
What is the expert diagnosis on that?
thank you
What is the expert diagnosis on that?
thank you
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 85
Likes: 6
From: Northern Neck Va
@Texas.. More than likely one of the nylon/plastic gears inside the headlight motor has broken teeth. I have an 84 and just removed the assembly, removed the motor from the assembly, open the motor and replace the bad gear. You can find the kits for around $20.
For me, I had a bad gear. Replaced the gear, put it all back together and the headlight doesnt go up or down. Put a volt meter on the 3 pin connector that supplies power to the electric motor and voltage is present which tells me that the electric motor itself has an issue. Today, I found the entire headlight motor, rebuilt on ebay for $75 and ordered it. Good luck.. there is plenty of info around to take care of this project.
For me, I had a bad gear. Replaced the gear, put it all back together and the headlight doesnt go up or down. Put a volt meter on the 3 pin connector that supplies power to the electric motor and voltage is present which tells me that the electric motor itself has an issue. Today, I found the entire headlight motor, rebuilt on ebay for $75 and ordered it. Good luck.. there is plenty of info around to take care of this project.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 1,676
@Texas.. More than likely one of the nylon/plastic gears inside the headlight motor has broken teeth. I have an 84 and just removed the assembly, removed the motor from the assembly, open the motor and replace the bad gear. You can find the kits for around $20.
For me, I had a bad gear. Replaced the gear, put it all back together and the headlight doesnt go up or down. Put a volt meter on the 3 pin connector that supplies power to the electric motor and voltage is present which tells me that the electric motor itself has an issue. Today, I found the entire headlight motor, rebuilt on ebay for $75 and ordered it. Good luck.. there is plenty of info around to take care of this project.
For me, I had a bad gear. Replaced the gear, put it all back together and the headlight doesnt go up or down. Put a volt meter on the 3 pin connector that supplies power to the electric motor and voltage is present which tells me that the electric motor itself has an issue. Today, I found the entire headlight motor, rebuilt on ebay for $75 and ordered it. Good luck.. there is plenty of info around to take care of this project.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
Issue was fixed
Just wanted to note it turns out I had a broken wire causing the problem. Was an easy fix after I found the issue. Thanks for all the imput.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 138
Likes: 19
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
I see.. looks like that part is for the later years.
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
Mr. ChumpVette - thank you for your observation. Perhaps, I too am a "Chump" - as I have no idea what the hell a "puck"is!
Pro
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 508
Likes: 89
From: Bowie MD
The motor turns a worm gear that drives a plastic gear that runs the headlight mechanism. If you pull the three 1/4" bolts holding the roundish cover over the plastic gear, you'll probably find that it's covered with teeny-tiny bits of plastic mixed with grease. The plastic is the remains of the "pucks." There are a bunch of Youtube videos and it's an easy matter to replace them. There are three per headlight and the parts are available from the big box auto stores as well as the 'Vette specialty places. I used Amazon and ordered 2x
.
The only warnings that I would share:
1) The Torx bolts will strip out if you breath on them, and the 1/4" ones will snap. I used BreakFree and that helped.
2) Avoid discussion of the plastic OEM vs after-market brass gear. ;-)
Jerry
The only warnings that I would share:
1) The Torx bolts will strip out if you breath on them, and the 1/4" ones will snap. I used BreakFree and that helped.
2) Avoid discussion of the plastic OEM vs after-market brass gear. ;-)
Jerry
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 326
From: Central Pennsylvannia
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
