Headlight issue
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 29
Likes: 3
Headlight issue
Ok I have 87 c4. Haven’t had the car long and just tracing down headlight issue. Drivers side was stuck up when I got the car and I replaced the relays and they worked perfect. But now drivers side will only flip over a little over half way and appears to get stuck but goes down fine when I turn headlights off. Can anybody point me in right direction to figure out the cause ?
thanks in advance. I’m still new to the corvette world and I know these headlights can be problematic
thanks in advance. I’m still new to the corvette world and I know these headlights can be problematic
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2019
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From: Mid-Atlantic
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Maybe it's getting hung up on the motor wire.
Open the hood and try to open them and see.
Open the hood and try to open them and see.
Last edited by Natty C; Feb 21, 2021 at 06:53 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2017
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From: Tacoma WA
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
If the gears or bushings are worn you will normally hear the motor running for a short time after the light is fully closed or open. The motor should stop immediately after the lights are in the fully open or closed position.
Can you fully open the light by turning the **** on top of the motor? This should always work to open or close the lights.
Can you fully open the light by turning the **** on top of the motor? This should always work to open or close the lights.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
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I heard a little noise when lights were turned on like maybe it was still trying to open
If I tried to open manually with them already turned on I would get a resistance almost like the motor resisting and it would make a buzzing noise
If I tried to open manually with them already turned on I would get a resistance almost like the motor resisting and it would make a buzzing noise
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2019
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From: Mid-Atlantic
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Sounds like what Firebundle mentioned, then.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Long Island
Check to be sure the housing that holds the light bulb is not hitting the opening.
IF you push it ( help it) while opening / closing and it goes, usually the gears. Or like said earlier - motor keeps running , it's gears.. likely
IF you push it ( help it) while opening / closing and it goes, usually the gears. Or like said earlier - motor keeps running , it's gears.. likely
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
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I know it’s not catching anywhere but I will check again to see if I can assist it while opening before I buy the kit to fix it.
I appreciate all the feedback Like I said before, corvettes have never really been my thing. I just kinda fell into this one so I’m having to do a lot of research and figuring things out. This forum has helped a lot
I appreciate all the feedback Like I said before, corvettes have never really been my thing. I just kinda fell into this one so I’m having to do a lot of research and figuring things out. This forum has helped a lot
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Long Island
The car you have is a lot of fun and actually a nice ride.
I have a modded 85 with a 383 / 6 speed, it's a blast..
The rebuild kits are not hard and there is a lot of videos on how to do it. Just clean the old lube really good and re lube..
I have a modded 85 with a 383 / 6 speed, it's a blast..
The rebuild kits are not hard and there is a lot of videos on how to do it. Just clean the old lube really good and re lube..
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2017
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From: Tacoma WA
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Yes it sounds like the bushings need replacement. I have yet to see a gear being torn up, usually just the three pucks are destroyed. You can buy replacements at any auto parts store. They are Dorman part number 74410 listed as “window guide assortment”. Really it isn’t an assortment it is just the three nylon pucks you need.
I admit I do have a pair of gears just in case but have never needed to change the gears. The pucks are just ground to dust. There are a couple of threads on the forum that will walk you through the replacement process.
I admit I do have a pair of gears just in case but have never needed to change the gears. The pucks are just ground to dust. There are a couple of threads on the forum that will walk you through the replacement process.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 259
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From: Florence ALABAMA
I would replace bushings AND gear. See my thread I posted last night on my 89. The bushings were just fine, but the gear had one big crack across it, and two smaller hairline cracks you could barely see. Pays to do the job once.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2017
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From: Tacoma WA
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Fasttimes1971 you are absolutely correct! 85-87 did not have the delrin bushings, they only had the gear sets to change.
Any of the corvette suppliers (ZIP or Ecklers) will have them.
Any of the corvette suppliers (ZIP or Ecklers) will have them.
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From: Long Island
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2019
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They're vinyl for a reason. They're designed to wear, rather than wearing the worm gear of the motor.
With a brass or aluminum gear you stand a chance at destroying the worm gear over time.
But if you're not driving at night all the time and turning the lights on and off more frequently you should be okay with the brass or aluminum gears.
With a brass or aluminum gear you stand a chance at destroying the worm gear over time.
But if you're not driving at night all the time and turning the lights on and off more frequently you should be okay with the brass or aluminum gears.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2019
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I used bearing grease when I replaced the gears.
Seems like that white stuff likes to turn rock hard over time.
Seems like that white stuff likes to turn rock hard over time.