Headlight Issue - 1987 C4
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 15
Likes: 4
Headlight Issue - 1987 C4
Hi,
The passenger headlight on my 87' keeps spinning only in the off position. If I turn the running lights on, but the headlights off, no issues. Once I turn all lights fully off, the motor keeps trying to close the headlight even though it's all the way! There's some play in the headlight which I don't remember noticing before.
I'm trying to get it Safetied on Wednesday, so I gotta get this fixed!
Here's a couple of videos that might explain it better: https://streamable.com/c/t0twvw
ALSO: The entire motor for the side was replaced last year...
The passenger headlight on my 87' keeps spinning only in the off position. If I turn the running lights on, but the headlights off, no issues. Once I turn all lights fully off, the motor keeps trying to close the headlight even though it's all the way! There's some play in the headlight which I don't remember noticing before.
I'm trying to get it Safetied on Wednesday, so I gotta get this fixed!
Here's a couple of videos that might explain it better: https://streamable.com/c/t0twvw
ALSO: The entire motor for the side was replaced last year...
Last edited by CiniTGS; May 19, 2025 at 04:14 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 325
From: San Antonio Tx
The motor can't turn if it is against the stop unless the gears are stripped or broken. To get a safety inspection just open the headlight doors and unplug the motors at the connectors. Lights will still work with the switch.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 15
Likes: 4
Ok so I opened up the motor and confirmed the gears were stripped. I replaced them with new ones but now, when closing, it makes a horrible noise! It opens perfectly fine, it's just closing. It does close all the way now though and stops where it's supposed to. Just a bad noise...
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
4th Gear
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I recently acquired a 1987 convert. The headlights, both the motors and the lights, (separate connectors) were disconnected.
The previous owner told me he had just replaced the motors, that there was an issue with adjustment, he just didn't have time to figure it out.
He included a box with the old motors and mechanisms.
so I plugged them in. the drivers side works fine. the lights work, the passenger side didn't move, but you could hear the motor against the stop.
I removed the pass side mechanism, to see what I could find, when plugged into the driver side it worked in both directions, but reverse of the other, it opened when it should close and closed when it should open. ( these motors look brand new and I don't think they have been opened)
My first day of Corvette repair, the headlight motors, testing the voltage at each location described in the service manual page, it all seems as it should, but no luck.
I will mess with it more tomorrow.
BTW here in Maine you couldn't get away with unplugged motors, safety inspection requires original equipment to work as designed.
The previous owner told me he had just replaced the motors, that there was an issue with adjustment, he just didn't have time to figure it out.
He included a box with the old motors and mechanisms.
so I plugged them in. the drivers side works fine. the lights work, the passenger side didn't move, but you could hear the motor against the stop.
I removed the pass side mechanism, to see what I could find, when plugged into the driver side it worked in both directions, but reverse of the other, it opened when it should close and closed when it should open. ( these motors look brand new and I don't think they have been opened)
My first day of Corvette repair, the headlight motors, testing the voltage at each location described in the service manual page, it all seems as it should, but no luck.
I will mess with it more tomorrow.
BTW here in Maine you couldn't get away with unplugged motors, safety inspection requires original equipment to work as designed.
4th Gear
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
OK I tried switching the door relays no change, removed and cleaned the ground.
I have had the pass side mechanism in and out a few times, the motor is new and works in both directions,
on close seems like the light hits the stop and the power to the motor should stop, but it does not.
If I leave it plugged in it keeps trying to turn, I think that will result in a stripped gear and a dead battery.
The pics here show gears stripped just that way.
Is that what the Isolation Relay is supposed to do?
I have had the pass side mechanism in and out a few times, the motor is new and works in both directions,
on close seems like the light hits the stop and the power to the motor should stop, but it does not.
If I leave it plugged in it keeps trying to turn, I think that will result in a stripped gear and a dead battery.
The pics here show gears stripped just that way.
Is that what the Isolation Relay is supposed to do?
