Headlight upgrade
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 37
Likes: 33
From: France
Headlight upgrade
Hello
I need to replace the worn-out bits of the headlight opening and closing mechanism. [[i]Click click click over-run] I have seen a few 'how to guides' on Youtube and it seems a relatively straight forward job. While I'm doing that it would seem like a good idea to upgrade the headlights too. So...
Any advice on the best place to get bits to repair the opening mechanism [I live in France btw]
Any advice on the best lights to upgrade to?
UPDATE - Job done. Quite enjoyable. Excellent Youtube clips and taking my time did the trick.
Thanks
I need to replace the worn-out bits of the headlight opening and closing mechanism. [[i]Click click click over-run] I have seen a few 'how to guides' on Youtube and it seems a relatively straight forward job. While I'm doing that it would seem like a good idea to upgrade the headlights too. So...
Any advice on the best place to get bits to repair the opening mechanism [I live in France btw]
Any advice on the best lights to upgrade to?
UPDATE - Job done. Quite enjoyable. Excellent Youtube clips and taking my time did the trick.
Thanks
Last edited by LittleMark1965; May 6, 2026 at 09:47 AM. Reason: Job completed
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 53,804
Likes: 5,632
From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
What I can tell you are right they are very easy did my C4 twice in 24 years of ownership, and few thing after obtaining the parts!
1. Mark how the lights sit, by marking brackets with scribe.
2. 5/16 punch to knockout the drift pin.
Take your time, watch U-tube they have good video's.
1. Mark how the lights sit, by marking brackets with scribe.
2. 5/16 punch to knockout the drift pin.
Take your time, watch U-tube they have good video's.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 441
From: Albuquerque NM
The Morimotos and Retrobrights are undoubtedly nice. I went with these though for a more budget option and have been thoroughly impressed.
HWSTAR New 180W 1000% Bright H6054 5x7 7x6 Led Headlights Compatible with Jeep Cherokee XJ Wrangler YJ Emark DOT Anti-glare Turn Signal Hi/Low Sealed Beam Ford Chevy GMC Toyota Nissan van pickup etc
Racer
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 298
Likes: 222
From: North West New Jersey
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,471
Likes: 1,224
From: Fredonia WI
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2020 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,243
Likes: 1,404
From: Mid-Atlantic
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 37
Likes: 33
From: France
Hello again.
Looking at the replacement lights, I don't think I want to go for the ones with built in indicators or daytime running lights. I'm more old school KISS - Is there any advantage of having the headlights with the 'other bits' built in that I'm not aware of?
Thanks for the advice so far - appreciated.
Looking at the replacement lights, I don't think I want to go for the ones with built in indicators or daytime running lights. I'm more old school KISS - Is there any advantage of having the headlights with the 'other bits' built in that I'm not aware of?
Thanks for the advice so far - appreciated.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,471
Likes: 1,224
From: Fredonia WI
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2020 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 37
Likes: 33
From: France
Yeah... Hidden DRLs!
UPDATE - So being in France I need white daytime running lights; the authorities don't seem to mind the yellow ones being on at the front as long as there are some white ones too. With the new replacement headlights, that have no DRLs built into them, I didn't have the required white lights. Ummm.... But then I discovered SWITCHBACK bulbs. These are twin colour yellow and white bulbs. I just swapped out the original indicator/DRL bulbs and put in the SWITCHBACKS. Now I have white DRL and yellow indicators and the Gendarmes are happy too.
UPDATE - So being in France I need white daytime running lights; the authorities don't seem to mind the yellow ones being on at the front as long as there are some white ones too. With the new replacement headlights, that have no DRLs built into them, I didn't have the required white lights. Ummm.... But then I discovered SWITCHBACK bulbs. These are twin colour yellow and white bulbs. I just swapped out the original indicator/DRL bulbs and put in the SWITCHBACKS. Now I have white DRL and yellow indicators and the Gendarmes are happy too.
Last edited by LittleMark1965; May 3, 2026 at 02:15 AM. Reason: New information
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 67
Likes: 20
From: Gulf Coast
I replaced my headlight actuator motors and headlights this past weekend. The entire assembly was taken apart to pull the new wires from the single harness through the headlight hinge. Doing that, a triangle bracket fell out. I’m not sure if I have it installed correctly as my headlight now only opens 1”. Thoughts appreciated.
I installed a plug-n-play adaptor for the headlights and that part seems to work.
Racer
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 298
Likes: 222
From: North West New Jersey
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,243
Likes: 1,404
From: Mid-Atlantic
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
Thanks!
Found em...
https://www.holley.com/platform/chev...ts/electrical/
As an aside, I remember some time ago, probably a few years ago, where there was a scenario with a lighting upgrade that you had to change out a fuse to a higher amp one.
But I forget what that scenario was.
May not have had to do with the headlights.
Bugs me that I don't remember that scenario, too, because I think I've decided to instal LED bulbs all the way around the exterior.
The scenario that I cannot remember may more likely have had something to do with an interior lightng upgrade scenario.
Found em...
https://www.holley.com/platform/chev...ts/electrical/
As an aside, I remember some time ago, probably a few years ago, where there was a scenario with a lighting upgrade that you had to change out a fuse to a higher amp one.
But I forget what that scenario was.
May not have had to do with the headlights.
Bugs me that I don't remember that scenario, too, because I think I've decided to instal LED bulbs all the way around the exterior.
The scenario that I cannot remember may more likely have had something to do with an interior lightng upgrade scenario.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,639
Likes: 326
From: Greenville SC
I upgraded my whole lighting system on my 95 many years ago with H4 Euro lights, new wires, relays, and ever since the fog lights don't work. If I activate the fog light switch it turns on the high beams, so it sounds like what you are describing. I posted a couple times on this years ago, but no one seemed to have the issue or know how to fix it.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 67
Likes: 20
From: Gulf Coast
The plug and play installed between the headlight wiring plug and the headlight itself will solve that problem of the fog light circuit activations the high beams.
I picked mine up from an Amazon seller.
I picked mine up from an Amazon seller.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: St Petersburg, FL
The Morimotos and Retrobrights are undoubtedly nice. I went with these though for a more budget option and have been thoroughly impressed.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CQDCH7D...n_title_2&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CQDCH7D...n_title_2&th=1