Headlight motors always running
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Sonora KY
Headlight motors always running
Just replaced the white gears in both my headlights and before I put both of them back in the car I wanted to plug them in to make sure the motors were working properly. With the headlamp switch in the OFF position the motors start spinning and keep spinning until I put the headlamp switch into the park lamp position and then they start spinning again and keep spinning when I pull the switch out all the way. Without the headlights completely assembled, should the motors stay running constantly like that? Is there some kind of "bumpstop" that prevents this once the entire assembly is back together or could it maybe be a stuck relay or something that needs to be addressed? 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
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From: Woodstock Georgia
If I understand your question correctly the answer is yes. They don't operate with off and on like a light switch. The relays stop the motors from running when they feel resistance, about the same as a power window motor. There aren't any limit switches.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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BTW, what year 'Vette? The C4's utilized two different headlight motor designs during their production years.
Last edited by onedef92; Sep 10, 2010 at 11:28 AM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Sonora KY
I apologize about that. Its an 84. Just bought the car about a month ago and the headlights have always been the up position since I bought it. Previous owner said he unplugged the motors because the gears were stripped out and I finally got the chance yesterday to tackle them.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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For free-spinning motors in an '84 through 1987, it's typically the motor gears that strip and need replacing. You can order them online from Mid-America Motorworks (MAM).
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...1-249-853.html
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...1-249-853.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
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From: Irvine Ca
Aminnich described it perfectly. When the rotation hits the stoppers, the voltage spikes and the relay senses that spike and shuts off the motor. It's as simple as all that.....just set the rubber stoppers where the bucket lines up with the hood and call it a day....
