Sorry, headlight question for 84?
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Blairsville Ga
Sorry, headlight question for 84?
I have been having headlight issues with my 84. The headlights go up and down just fine, but when up the motor will run for about 10 seconds and keeps doing it over and over. Both will run for about 10 seconds, stop for about 30 seconds and start over again. Any ideas? I've searched but know luck.
thanks
shamby
thanks
shamby
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
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My guess is that this is your culprit. Turned out to be mine, destroyed 5 batteries before I tracked it down. My condition was constant power drain, but it will cause your problem also. Corvette Headlight Opening Actuator Module, 1984-1996 http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1984-1996.html
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Blairsville Ga
My guess is that this is your culprit. Turned out to be mine, destroyed 5 batteries before I tracked it down. My condition was constant power drain, but it will cause your problem also. Corvette Headlight Opening Actuator Module, 1984-1996 http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1984-1996.html
Team Owner
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Blairsville Ga
Thanks for the link to trouble shoot the headlight doors. I went through it and it all checks out good.
It's like the motor does not know when the headlights are open. Like I stated before, they close just fine. Is that conytrolled by a relay or the switch in the motor it's self?
It's like the motor does not know when the headlights are open. Like I stated before, they close just fine. Is that conytrolled by a relay or the switch in the motor it's self?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,275
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
There are limit switches inside. When it gets to end of travel, it operates the limit switch.
I have never had mine apart, so I can't offer much help. Maybe a missing tooth on gear is not allowing complete travel ?
I have never had mine apart, so I can't offer much help. Maybe a missing tooth on gear is not allowing complete travel ?
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Mission Viejo CA
'84 Headlights
First question: Are your headlights stock '84? ('84-early '87's have the manual actuation ***** on the bottoms of the motors. Later ones have the ***** on the top) Presuming you have '84 lights, I don't understand your comment: "the motor will run for about 10 seconds and keeps doing it over and over." Is the motor actually continuing to spin after the light is up, or does the light go up and down? It's unlikely both motors have failed at the same time, so we need a better description of the problem.
On the '84-E87's, there are limit switches on each motor which turn off the power to that motor when the headlight door is forced against its stop. The armature of the motor moves on its axis because of the worm gear drive, which forces the armature to compress a spring on each end of the armature, which actuates the limit switches. You probably just need a good clean and lube of the motor gears. Not nearly as difficult to do as my description!! Use a white lube, like Lubriplate, which isn't too heavy.
Oops! I was typing my answer at the same time as your last entry! Goes back to my first question: What's really going on here?
On the '84-E87's, there are limit switches on each motor which turn off the power to that motor when the headlight door is forced against its stop. The armature of the motor moves on its axis because of the worm gear drive, which forces the armature to compress a spring on each end of the armature, which actuates the limit switches. You probably just need a good clean and lube of the motor gears. Not nearly as difficult to do as my description!! Use a white lube, like Lubriplate, which isn't too heavy.
Oops! I was typing my answer at the same time as your last entry! Goes back to my first question: What's really going on here?
Last edited by Hot Rod Roy; Jan 23, 2012 at 05:17 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Blairsville Ga
First question: Are your headlights stock '84? ('84-early '87's have the manual actuation ***** on the bottoms of the motors. Later ones have the ***** on the top) Presuming you have '84 lights, I don't understand your comment: "the motor will run for about 10 seconds and keeps doing it over and over." Is the motor actually continuing to spin after the light is up, or does the light go up and down? It's unlikely both motors have failed at the same time, so we need a better description of the problem.
THe headlights are original. When I turn on the lights, both motors open up but you will hear a buzzing noise for about 10 seconds after the lights are all the way open. the noise will stop and start back. It will keep doing this until the battery is dead. It's like the motors do not know the lights are completely open but they are. I keep waiting for the gears to strip out due to the pressure on them
On the '84-E87's, there are limit switches on each motor which turn off the power to that motor when the headlight door is forced against its stop. The armature of the motor moves on its axis because of the worm gear drive, which forces the armature to compress a spring on each end of the armature, which actuates the limit switches. You probably just need a good clean and lube of the motor gears. Not nearly as difficult to do as my description!! Use a white lube, like Lubriplate, which isn't too heavy.
I think I cleaned them good and no change. I do need to regrease them.
Oops! I was typing my answer at the same time as your last entry! Goes back to my first question: What's really going on here?
THe headlights are original. When I turn on the lights, both motors open up but you will hear a buzzing noise for about 10 seconds after the lights are all the way open. the noise will stop and start back. It will keep doing this until the battery is dead. It's like the motors do not know the lights are completely open but they are. I keep waiting for the gears to strip out due to the pressure on them
On the '84-E87's, there are limit switches on each motor which turn off the power to that motor when the headlight door is forced against its stop. The armature of the motor moves on its axis because of the worm gear drive, which forces the armature to compress a spring on each end of the armature, which actuates the limit switches. You probably just need a good clean and lube of the motor gears. Not nearly as difficult to do as my description!! Use a white lube, like Lubriplate, which isn't too heavy.
I think I cleaned them good and no change. I do need to regrease them.
Oops! I was typing my answer at the same time as your last entry! Goes back to my first question: What's really going on here?
What does the Headlight Actuator Relay do?
Last edited by shamby; Jan 23, 2012 at 05:31 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
Sounds like you're on the right track. The motor armatures need to move on their axis to actuate the limit switches. Something's binding, or the limit switches are bent. Don't use a heavy grease, and keep the switches clean.
Last edited by Hot Rod Roy; Jan 23, 2012 at 06:34 PM.
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From: Blairsville Ga
What are the odds that both motors do this at the same time. That's kinda what has me puzzled..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
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Mine is a 1990, but did you look on the driver side, right under the driver side headlight mounted to the bulkhead. Hard to see but there should be harness for the both headlight motors attached to it. From what I can see it repair manual you should have one. Then again the manual is largely useless.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Mission Viejo CA
You're not throwing in the towel, you're throwing away your money! I did this same fix on my '84 about 5 years ago, and my headlights are working just fine! A lube job every 25 years or so is a good idea. It sure sounds to me like your clean-up job was too good! I think your motor bearings are dry. The armature shafts need to slide in their bearings in order for the limit switches to work. Try the Lubriplate before you give up! You've already done all the hard work, why quit now?
Grantar2 just doesn't get it! His '90 isn't the same as your '84! Eckler's info is wrong too. That module is only used on the late model C4's. (I've got 240,000 miles on my '84. It passes CA smog test with flying colors, too!).
Grantar2 just doesn't get it! His '90 isn't the same as your '84! Eckler's info is wrong too. That module is only used on the late model C4's. (I've got 240,000 miles on my '84. It passes CA smog test with flying colors, too!).
Last edited by Hot Rod Roy; Jan 24, 2012 at 07:20 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Blairsville Ga
You're not throwing in the towel, you're throwing away your money! I did this same fix on my '84 about 5 years ago, and my headlights are working just fine! A lube job every 25 years or so is a good idea. It sure sounds to me like your clean-up job was too good! I think your motor bearings are dry. The armature shafts need to slide in their bearings in order for the limit switches to work. Try the Lubriplate before you give up! You've already done all the hard work, why quit now?
I'll give it another go tomorrow. Just to make sure, the points of contact are obvious once you know what to look for. They are about mid ways on the motor, one on each side.
Grantar2 just doesn't get it! His '90 isn't the same as your '84! Eckler's info is wrong too. That module is only used on the late model C4's. (I've got 240,000 miles on my '84. It passes CA smog test with flying colors, too!).
That's the problem I'm running into. I'll call vendors and they say change the 3 plastic bearings and/or the part that Grantar2 is talking about. Willcox has been the only vendor that knows what they are talking about. Thank you Norm for you help.
I'll give it another go tomorrow. Just to make sure, the points of contact are obvious once you know what to look for. They are about mid ways on the motor, one on each side.
Grantar2 just doesn't get it! His '90 isn't the same as your '84! Eckler's info is wrong too. That module is only used on the late model C4's. (I've got 240,000 miles on my '84. It passes CA smog test with flying colors, too!).
That's the problem I'm running into. I'll call vendors and they say change the 3 plastic bearings and/or the part that Grantar2 is talking about. Willcox has been the only vendor that knows what they are talking about. Thank you Norm for you help.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Blairsville Ga
Here's an update on my headlight issue. They are now working like they should. I took the motors completely apart and out of the plastic housing, soaked them in mineral spirits, greased the springs really good and believe it or not everything worked. One thing I noticed is that if your battery is weak your headlights will act kinda odd. That was also one of my problems.
thanks for all the help.
thanks for all the help.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Blairsville Ga
Thanks for your help Hot Rod Roy. I used a medium lithium type grease. One of the switches was bad, but a buddy of mine gave me a motor off his 85. the inside was a little different, but I was able to make it work. Now I need to fix my power antena.
Thanks
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
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From: Mission Viejo CA
The lithium chassis grease is heavier than the Lubriplate, so I'm guessing that's why your headlights are acting kinda odd. Hopefully, that will get better as you use the lights. Good luck with the fun car!
