head light problem motors keep running?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 415
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From: mauriceville texas
head light problem motors keep running?
lights pop up, then the motors keep running for 3 or 4 sec. the make a chuging sound. when you turn them off they close and continue to run for 3 or 4 sec and make the same sound. its like they are not getting a shut of sig. the motors work they go up down together just cont to run. is there a relay or switch that controlls this? just got this car so i don't know much about c4's yet. any help would be app. robert
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,089
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From: Port Saint Lucie, FL
Re: head light problem motors keep running? (robert kirk)
I had the same problem on my 94. Sounds like you need a headlight motor repair kit. Depending on the year the parts are as low as 5 bucks. Takes a bit of time, but well worth the savings. Check MAD and Ecklers.
c4cvette
c4cvette
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From: Bagpipes put the "fun" in "funeral"
Re: head light problem motors keep running? (robert kirk)
The bushings are worn. What normally triggers the motors to stop is when the headlight assembly hits the full open or close position and can't move anymore. This stalls the motor. A stalled electric motor has a much higher current draw. The controller detects the stall current and shuts of power to the motor.
Now if the bushings are worn, the motor is allowed to continue turning even though the gears aren't going anywhere. Since the motor doesn't stall, they only shut off based on a timer which is a few seconds longer than it normally takes to open or close.
Moral of the story, order $5 nylon bushings from Mid America and have some fun disassembling the headlights! By the way, when you hear the motor churning like that, it's rapidly wearing down the bushings even further. Pretty soon they'll start slipping, appear loose, and get stuck halfway.
[Modified by Thud, 10:43 PM 9/2/2001]
Now if the bushings are worn, the motor is allowed to continue turning even though the gears aren't going anywhere. Since the motor doesn't stall, they only shut off based on a timer which is a few seconds longer than it normally takes to open or close.
Moral of the story, order $5 nylon bushings from Mid America and have some fun disassembling the headlights! By the way, when you hear the motor churning like that, it's rapidly wearing down the bushings even further. Pretty soon they'll start slipping, appear loose, and get stuck halfway.
[Modified by Thud, 10:43 PM 9/2/2001]
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
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Re: head light problem motors keep running? (Hawaii89vette)
88 and up is the bushing repair kit. It is not to difficult, when I did mine it took a little over an hour. A good portion of that time was cleaning the little bity pieces of the old bushing out of the motor.
I forgot to get two kits and do them both at the same time. So now to keep it from costing me ~$20 for a $5 part (S&H add a lot) I'm looking for other things that need to be replaced.
So save yourself some hassle and order repair kits for both motors. Do them both at the same time.
I forgot to get two kits and do them both at the same time. So now to keep it from costing me ~$20 for a $5 part (S&H add a lot) I'm looking for other things that need to be replaced.
So save yourself some hassle and order repair kits for both motors. Do them both at the same time.
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Joined: Mar 1999
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From: Cleveland Ohio
Re: head light problem motors keep running? (Thud)
Thud; Great explanation. I finally understand what's going on with all that clunking and banging. I asked the same question awhile ago and was given correct info with regards to replacing the motor bushings but never understood completely what was happening. As of yet I haven't tackled the project but do have two bushing kits from MAC standing by....Frank
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
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From: Tyler TX
Re: head light problem motors keep running? (Frank C)
Frank,
It's really an easy job to do. Just take the entire headlight assembly off the car, then disconnect the motor from the assembly. Some people have gotten pretty frustrated doing this job because they tried to do it without taking the headlight assembly off the car.
It's really an easy job to do. Just take the entire headlight assembly off the car, then disconnect the motor from the assembly. Some people have gotten pretty frustrated doing this job because they tried to do it without taking the headlight assembly off the car.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: mauriceville texas
Re: head light problem motors keep running? (Hawaii89vette)
its a 92. the motors seem to work fine just wont shut off. i will order 2 bushing kits tuesday and see if that takes care of the problem. thanks for the help. robert
