Headlight motor Died!!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 35
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From: San Diego Ca
Headlight motor Died!!
Ok here is the story. My mechanic said that both of my headlight motors need to be replaced. I figured as much since they don't go all the way up. The problem is that they cost 250 each!!!!!!!! Can someone help and lead me to a place that is cheaper. I sure hope there is a better price out there. Thanks guys.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 35
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From: San Diego Ca
Originally Posted by xlr8nflorida
well i doubt you need motors, you probably just need gears.
You can buy them at ecklers for $10.00 for both sides.
2 hours of your time and they will be like new.
Send me the rest of the $$$. LOL
You can buy them at ecklers for $10.00 for both sides.
2 hours of your time and they will be like new.
Send me the rest of the $$$. LOL
oh wow I hope my mechanic isn't trying to rip me off, i've known him for years. Maybe he just didn't know. Thanks i'll bring it up to him when I take it in. Is there any tell tale signs that it is the motor and not gears, or gears and not motor?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,448
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From: Tracy CA
You'll be able to hear the motors. If your headlights are "winking" ( 
pretty common), meaning that the motors run but the lights don't turn all the way up, they can be repaired 
.
If you don't hear the motors run (or you can check them with the hood up. Turn on the lights and see if the manual **** spins), then the problem lies deeper.
Did both lights quit at the same time?
pretty common), meaning that the motors run but the lights don't turn all the way up, they can be repaired .If you don't hear the motors run (or you can check them with the hood up. Turn on the lights and see if the manual **** spins), then the problem lies deeper.
Did both lights quit at the same time?
Team Owner
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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It's probably your bushings. It's a common C4 problem. Go to Home Depot and ask for item number 595609. You will need six (6) of these nylon spacers to repair both lights.
They cost me .69 cents (plus tax) at Home Depot. I'd try this first. Save some ends and do the job yourself. It's not that hard.
Click this link for the installation instructions.
http://www.corvetteforums.net/tech/headlight.html
They cost me .69 cents (plus tax) at Home Depot. I'd try this first. Save some ends and do the job yourself. It's not that hard.
Click this link for the installation instructions.
http://www.corvetteforums.net/tech/headlight.html
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
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St. Jude Donor '05
More likely its the bushings. Look for other recent posts about headlights. The original bushing gel material tends to breakdown and turn to a whiteish powder. Look around the motor housing and see if there is a white powder, if there is, all you need is a bushing replacement. No gears.
Race Director
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,306
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Originally Posted by JasonBourne
oh wow I hope my mechanic isn't trying to rip me off, i've known him for years. Maybe he just didn't know. Thanks i'll bring it up to him when I take it in. Is there any tell tale signs that it is the motor and not gears, or gears and not motor?
I guess you could go the home depot route - I just prefer to buy the actual part from Ecklers since fixing the headlights is no 5 minute job.
Although all it is is a simple bushing so maybe you can save even more $ if you go to home depot.
I don't think he is trying to rip you off. Actually most mechanics don't want to put bushings in because it does take about 2 hours so at $100 per hour. You pay them $200 and technically your headlight motor can die shortly down the road (not that this is normal) and then you are back at the dealer again upset that you just paid good money and the headlights are broke again. They would rather sell you new parts.
Do the bushing repair. I've had to do about 4 motors in the last 6 years that I have owned 3 C4's. It works great and never a problem with them again.
Last edited by xlr8nflorida; Sep 13, 2004 at 09:58 AM.
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Team Owner
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From: Life's tough, wear a helmet.
Originally Posted by xlr8nflorida
I don't think he is trying to rip you off. Actually most mechanics don't want to put bushings in because it does take about 2 hours so at $100 per hour.
Go the DIY route. There's some serious satisfaction waiting for you after a job well done.
I did the DIY thing. I even used onedef's suggestion to go to HD. The job is not rocket science but it is time consuming so just take your time and ask questions here if you get stuck.
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Originally Posted by JasonBourne
I just ordered the bushing from ecklers, I got 6 all together. I just hope this works.
Race Director
Joined: May 2002
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Originally Posted by 90EXPVette
Not a hard job at all I did one of mine last year...now the other one's winking 
Needless to say the customer was not very happy
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2004
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From: San Diego Ca
I got my bushings in the mail. Went to go replace them today and guess what, I couldn't get the headlight motor off. I looked at the instructions but I guess I need some pictures to help me out. Anyone have any?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Mesquite Nevada
Originally Posted by JasonBourne
I got my bushings in the mail. Went to go replace them today and guess what, I couldn't get the headlight motor off. I looked at the instructions but I guess I need some pictures to help me out. Anyone have any?
Once you've removed all the nuts and the one bolt shown in the pictures the light should come right out.
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Originally Posted by JasonBourne
I got my bushings in the mail. Went to go replace them today and guess what, I couldn't get the headlight motor off. I looked at the instructions but I guess I need some pictures to help me out. Anyone have any?
http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/33098/
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Pemberton Minnesota
On mine, when I turn the lights on or of, the drivers side motor continues to run for about 3 seconds. The whole thing just kind of pulsates, until eventually stopping.. Is that a sign of bushings also?
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From: Life's tough, wear a helmet.
Originally Posted by shribe
On mine, when I turn the lights on or of, the drivers side motor continues to run for about 3 seconds. The whole thing just kind of pulsates, until eventually stopping.. Is that a sign of bushings also?
I'm still searching for the cause.
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Originally Posted by shribe
On mine, when I turn the lights on or of, the drivers side motor continues to run for about 3 seconds. The whole thing just kind of pulsates, until eventually stopping.. Is that a sign of bushings also?