87 Headlight probs!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 18
From: Henderson NV
87 Headlight probs!!
Well out of all the C4's Ive owned , I never had a problem with the infamous headlight motor gear issues, Is what I describe below just that problem, or something different.
cruised tonight, stopped at store turned off lights, the drivers light closed as usuall but is making a loud grinding type noise, and it doesnt stop in the headlight down position, headlight on and up position its fine,
I also noticed when its making that noise , the adjusting nut or what ever you call it to align the headlight when closed just keeps spinning , and the other side is fine.
So is it the motor or the gears that took a crap or something else.
Thanks for the help, in the meantime I will do some searching.
cruised tonight, stopped at store turned off lights, the drivers light closed as usuall but is making a loud grinding type noise, and it doesnt stop in the headlight down position, headlight on and up position its fine,
I also noticed when its making that noise , the adjusting nut or what ever you call it to align the headlight when closed just keeps spinning , and the other side is fine.
So is it the motor or the gears that took a crap or something else.
Thanks for the help, in the meantime I will do some searching.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 18
From: Henderson NV
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 18
From: Henderson NV
Thanks
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
usually... when the limit switch senses resistance it cuts power, usually... all you need is new gears to restore that resistance, like I said ...usually. if you get a chance, upgrading to the later year system cures a lot of problems. There is some really good tech on this site. btw. replace both gears, if you're doing that much work, no reason not to.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 18
From: Henderson NV
usually... when the limit switch senses resistance it cuts power, usually... all you need is new gears to restore that resistance, like I said ...usually. if you get a chance, upgrading to the later year system cures a lot of problems. There is some really good tech on this site. btw. replace both gears, if you're doing that much work, no reason not to.
BTW if you have a link to any pictorials of replacing these gears, it would be greatly appreciated.
Any visual assistance that leads to less back bending would be greatly appreciated , since I am partially limited in that department.
Thanks a bunch and I appreciate the help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
The problem is that there are no picture threads for the early years. the easiest way to do these is to remove the entire headlight from the hood and put it on a bench. before removing it, use a magic marker and mark the horsehoe 'the u shaped brackets' position on the hood to make re-installing it quicker. I've never found a picture thread with pic's for the early years, but the ones for the later years will generally work. The part to be most carefull with is when you separate the case halves...gently. make sure to note where things are located inside and if possible even take a pic. for reference. Wilcox has a video thats pretty good, but its for the later style.
Last edited by oldalaskaman; May 26, 2012 at 05:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 18
From: Henderson NV
The problem is that there are no picture threads for the early years. the easiest way to do these is to remove the entire headlight from the hood and put it on a bench. before removing it, use a magic marker and mark the horsehoe 'the u shaped brackets' position on the hood to make re-installing it quicker. I've never found a picture thread with pic's for the early years, but the ones for the later years will generally work. The part to be most carefull with is when you separate the case halves...gently. make sure to note where things are located inside and if possible even take a pic. for reference. Wilcox has a video thats pretty good, but its for the later style.
Didnt see anything on the Wilcox website, Ill keep looking,
Last edited by Pizzano; May 26, 2012 at 06:29 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Heres the Forum sticky link. Sorry it generally covers the newer style and some of the pics are dead.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...air-w-pic.html
Bob is absolutely right tho, careful disassembly, replace gears, hope the limit switch works. Thats what turns off the power to the motor. The limit switch picks up when the headlight hits the stop and shuts off power. With a stripped gear, no resistance so it continues to run. I had the same problem but lucked out and got another motor.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...air-w-pic.html
Bob is absolutely right tho, careful disassembly, replace gears, hope the limit switch works. Thats what turns off the power to the motor. The limit switch picks up when the headlight hits the stop and shuts off power. With a stripped gear, no resistance so it continues to run. I had the same problem but lucked out and got another motor.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 18
From: Henderson NV
Much appreciated.