Head light bucket won't open
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 218
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From: Gaithersburg Maryland
Head light bucket won't open
I posted this earlier, but the post sent away. Maybe I posted it in the wrong section. I have a '95 coupe with 70K. I am new to the Corvette thing, but not new to the car restoration hobby. My driver's side headlight will not open or close. At first it would open, but not close. If I closed it manually, it would open when the headlights were turned on. The green and grey wires going to the motor get power when the lights are turned on, and lose power when the lights are turned off, suggesting the problem is the motor, not the wires. When it first failed to close, I opened the hood, and the motor was very hot, suggesting it had been continuing to get power after the headlight reached its full open position. This would suggest that the points system in the motor assembly failed to cut the power. Are there any servicable parts inside the motor assembly? I have found a rebuilt unit on line for $129. Is there something outside the motor assembly in the relays,and such that caould have caused this failure? Will I burn out a second unit if I simply buy it and plug it in? What kind of diagnostics should I run on it first? Thanks in advance for any help.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 219
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville Florida
From the way it progressed to the not working condition, it sounds like the motor is running but the 3 plastic bushings that work the gear mecanism that opens and closes the unit are shot. The replacements are available from places like Echlers for under 5 bucks (?) . The replacement is not difficult and will take less than an hour of your time. Open the case ,clean out the debris and replace the bushings. The parts come with a printed sheet with directions. It's an easy job, just take your time and don't be afraid to tackle it. What's the worst thing that can happen, you blew 5 bucks and have to replace the unit anyway. It's worth a try.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: NOVA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 218
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From: Gaithersburg Maryland
Thanks for the help. Someone was kind enough to show me where my other thread was. There were a few helpful replies on that one. I could not find it because I did not look far enough down the list in the general c4 forum. I had no idea how active this group is, and how quickly new questions pile up in front of older ones. A group like this is a huge help in the car hobby, and I am grateful I found it. Can anyone give me a link, or address for Eckler's? Thanks again.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
