86 Headlight Troubles
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 66
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From: Cooper city Fl
86 Headlight Troubles
I searched the archives but didn't see this problem. When I turn my lights on the lights open fine. When I close them the left light goes nearly all the way down and stops and the motor runs on and on until I disconnect the wiring. The headlight at this point is open about 1 inch and is slightly loose????? 
Any advise???
Thanks
Any advise???
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
My 86 had similiar problems, the headlight would CLOSE but would not open.
I took the offender motor out - just a lot of bolts and screws to get it out - and opened it up. Inside there are three sets of contacts and depending on whether the contacts are open of closed the motor either opens or closed the door (up or down).
I tried all sorts of "fixes" including buying three new relays, no good.
I ended up sending it to CorvetteCentral for prepare since no one locally here in TX could do it.
Chevy goes sell replacement parts for the 86 motor according to my local Chevy dealer. Their only suggestion was to upgrade BOTH headlights to the later (88) version. Mucho $$$$$$$$$$$
CC cost just over $100 and took a couple of weeks to get it back. No problem since.
Jake
I took the offender motor out - just a lot of bolts and screws to get it out - and opened it up. Inside there are three sets of contacts and depending on whether the contacts are open of closed the motor either opens or closed the door (up or down).
I tried all sorts of "fixes" including buying three new relays, no good.
I ended up sending it to CorvetteCentral for prepare since no one locally here in TX could do it.
Chevy goes sell replacement parts for the 86 motor according to my local Chevy dealer. Their only suggestion was to upgrade BOTH headlights to the later (88) version. Mucho $$$$$$$$$$$
CC cost just over $100 and took a couple of weeks to get it back. No problem since.
Jake
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 568
From: Conroe Texas
you might try replacing the plastic gears inside the motor (2). these gears like to diisintegrate. my lights did the same thing. also i have left and right headlight buckets with the new motors for sale
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 476
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From: Tucson, AZ. L98-85 AUTO COUPE: 120k MILES: daily driver. SOUND OFF IF YOU'VE BEEN THERE. Ex-Jumpin' Junky-82nd Airborne-2/505 PIR: 1st ID-1/16th Inf: Recon Marine Retread. GOD BLESS GRUNTS.
Originally Posted by JAKE
My 86 had similiar problems, the headlight would CLOSE but would not open.
Chevy goes sell replacement parts for the 86 motor according to my local Chevy dealer. Their only suggestion was to upgrade BOTH headlights to the later (88) version. Mucho $$$$$$$$$$$
Jake
Chevy goes sell replacement parts for the 86 motor according to my local Chevy dealer. Their only suggestion was to upgrade BOTH headlights to the later (88) version. Mucho $$$$$$$$$$$
Jake
forget it. by the time i'm finished replacing all that crap i'll have half an 88 anyway. an 861/2 maybe.
frog.
Last edited by parafrog; Jan 30, 2005 at 08:57 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Originally Posted by parafrog
that's the second or third time i've seen a recommendation to upgrade to the 88 setup to solve unreliable earlier c4 part problems. chevy must have figured the c4 out by 88. anybody want to trade an 88 for an 85?
frog.
frog.
For example, (forgot the guy's name) one of the winningest road race guys says the 86 has the best chassis of them all. His 86 handled the best and he won more more races than with newer year chassises.
After "upgrading" to a newer model, he went back to his 86 after his lap times fell off with the new iron and no matter what he did his "new" car couldn't run with his 86.
So I'm wondering if it's cost-effective to move to an 88, etc., if it only take $100 to fix a malfunctioning headlight. You may well be swapping one problem for a different one.
I wouldn't do it, but it's your call though.
Jake
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 956
Likes: 0
From: Mesquite Nevada
Originally Posted by parafrog
that's the second or third time i've seen a recommendation to upgrade to the 88 setup to solve unreliable earlier c4 part problems. chevy must have figured the c4 out by 88. anybody want to trade an 88 for an 85?
forget it. by the time i'm finished replacing all that crap i'll have half an 88 anyway. an 861/2 maybe.
frog.
forget it. by the time i'm finished replacing all that crap i'll have half an 88 anyway. an 861/2 maybe.
frog.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 773
I had a Corvette shop in Richmond, Va., replace the three bushings in the headlight motor casing of my 1990 Corvette. I saved money by removing the entire headlight assembly and taking it to the shop.
The headlights started out doing what yours are doing, but only got worse. Eventually, I could hear the motors running, but the headlights wouldn't pop up. The bushings are round pieces of plastic about the size of an man's index finger. After a while, the original bushings turn to sand. This was my 1990. I don't know if your 1986 has bushings. My headlights pop up with speed and power now. -- Eric
The headlights started out doing what yours are doing, but only got worse. Eventually, I could hear the motors running, but the headlights wouldn't pop up. The bushings are round pieces of plastic about the size of an man's index finger. After a while, the original bushings turn to sand. This was my 1990. I don't know if your 1986 has bushings. My headlights pop up with speed and power now. -- Eric
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 956
Likes: 0
From: Mesquite Nevada
Originally Posted by Photomania
I had a Corvette shop in Richmond, Va., replace the three bushings in the headlight motor casing of my 1990 Corvette. I saved money by removing the entire headlight assembly and taking it to the shop.
The headlights started out doing what yours are doing, but only got worse. Eventually, I could hear the motors running, but the headlights wouldn't pop up. The bushings are round pieces of plastic about the size of an man's index finger. After a while, the original bushings turn to sand. This was my 1990. I don't know if your 1986 has bushings. My headlights pop up with speed and power now. -- Eric
The headlights started out doing what yours are doing, but only got worse. Eventually, I could hear the motors running, but the headlights wouldn't pop up. The bushings are round pieces of plastic about the size of an man's index finger. After a while, the original bushings turn to sand. This was my 1990. I don't know if your 1986 has bushings. My headlights pop up with speed and power now. -- Eric
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 858
Likes: 6
From: Hobe Sound FL
85-86-87 Headlight Motor on E-Bay
There is a drivers side headlight motor on E-Bay. Four days to go on auction. Item number: 4524070578.
I am going to do the fix with the delrin bushings on my 89. Eckler's sent me the bushing kit, $4.95 per side, plus illustrated instructions. I also received plenty of help from the Forum members.
Boatman
Hobe Sound, FL
I am going to do the fix with the delrin bushings on my 89. Eckler's sent me the bushing kit, $4.95 per side, plus illustrated instructions. I also received plenty of help from the Forum members.
Boatman
Hobe Sound, FL
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 858
Likes: 6
From: Hobe Sound FL
86 Motor on E-Bay
[QUOTE=ddonzella]I searched the archives but didn't see this problem. When I turn my lights on the lights open fine. When I close them the left light goes nearly all the way down and stops and the motor runs on and on until I disconnect the wiring. The headlight at this point is open about 1 inch and is slightly loose?????
Any advise???
Check E-Bay, Headlight motor taken off of 86 on auction.
Item number: 4524070578
Any advise???
Check E-Bay, Headlight motor taken off of 86 on auction.
Item number: 4524070578
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 956
Likes: 0
From: Mesquite Nevada
Originally Posted by ddonzella
Got the headlight assembly out of the car. Question, How do I seperate the motor from the headlight housing shaft???
But I do remember I had to take the part that sits flush with hood when the lights are closed off to get at a couple of nuts, bolts or screws (that's what I can't remember)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
I have read so many problems w/ C4 and C5 motor, gear, bushing problems. I applaud GM for making the C6 headlight a "fixed" system!! 
after all these years, they still couldn't design a reliable pop up headlight, so they gave up...Smart move on GM's part....*******
after all these years, they still couldn't design a reliable pop up headlight, so they gave up...Smart move on GM's part....*******
