Intermittent Headlight problem
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 888
Likes: 4
From: Ridgecrest Ca
Intermittent Headlight problem
Well it looks as if headlights are a subject of multiple posts today.
Here's my problem and it's been very intermittent.
Last nite after the car club meeting I turned the headlights on and they did not rotate but the headlights were on.
I shut them off and turned them on again and the right one came up and both were on. So, I turned them off again, this time the left one came up and the right one stayed down and both lights were on.
One more time to off then on again and the both came up and worded so I went home. The both stowed correctly.
This morning the routine was the right on came up but not the left. Turned the switch off and it stowed. One again and they both came up.
I tried again at work and they both worked normally.
So, what kind of gremlin named Murphy is in this system?
Here's my problem and it's been very intermittent.
Last nite after the car club meeting I turned the headlights on and they did not rotate but the headlights were on.
I shut them off and turned them on again and the right one came up and both were on. So, I turned them off again, this time the left one came up and the right one stayed down and both lights were on.
One more time to off then on again and the both came up and worded so I went home. The both stowed correctly.
This morning the routine was the right on came up but not the left. Turned the switch off and it stowed. One again and they both came up.
I tried again at work and they both worked normally.
So, what kind of gremlin named Murphy is in this system?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 888
Likes: 4
From: Ridgecrest Ca
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area Ca
I just dealt with this on my 89. I pulled the motors apart and the little plastic bushings were completely disintegrated.
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1988-1996.html
Some people's gear are stripped out too and they make bronze replacements if you want to spend the extra money. My gears were still good so I just replaced the bushings and they work great now.
bronze gears
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1988-1996.html
This video helped me out when I was pulling everything apart. It wasn't a hard job, just pay attention and it's easy. The first one will take a little longer but the second one will go much faster.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...=DJylyPa-fEU#!
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1988-1996.html
Some people's gear are stripped out too and they make bronze replacements if you want to spend the extra money. My gears were still good so I just replaced the bushings and they work great now.
bronze gears
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1988-1996.html
This video helped me out when I was pulling everything apart. It wasn't a hard job, just pay attention and it's easy. The first one will take a little longer but the second one will go much faster.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...=DJylyPa-fEU#!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area Ca
Well then that could be a completely different problem. I could hear my motors running, the headlights would just not come up or only half way. If you're going to be messing with the motors I would suggest at least replacing the bushings because if they aren't bad now, they probably will be soon.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 888
Likes: 4
From: Ridgecrest Ca
Well then that could be a completely different problem. I could hear my motors running, the headlights would just not come up or only half way. If you're going to be messing with the motors I would suggest at least replacing the bushings because if they aren't bad now, they probably will be soon.
Definately electrical I think after this discussion.
Anyhow, the sun's up and the temps are great so it's top off cruisin' today.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 542
Likes: 2
From: Miami FL
Mine did that a couple times, either left or right.
Gears were fine, and just the plastic bushings had turned to dust.
You can use the Ford bushing kit from the auto parts store and re-use your plastic gear.
I didn't see a reason to replace it by a bronze gear, since mine lasted 20 years and only the plastic bushings went.
Rebuild was extremely easy once I read a coupl of tutorials and watched a few videos; about 30 minutes per side.
Gears were fine, and just the plastic bushings had turned to dust.
You can use the Ford bushing kit from the auto parts store and re-use your plastic gear.
I didn't see a reason to replace it by a bronze gear, since mine lasted 20 years and only the plastic bushings went.
Rebuild was extremely easy once I read a coupl of tutorials and watched a few videos; about 30 minutes per side.
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 509
Likes: 5
From: Edmonds WA
This caught my attention because I'm having a similar problem with my 87. It's just been the right headlight and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I haven't used it a lot recently. Because the left headlight pops up, I can't tell if the motor on the right one is running or not.
I was about to order the large gear because I'd read that it's probably the one that's worn and the small gear is difficult to get off. But, if it's likely the relay, then I probably should try to figure that out first.
I haven't found any info on the relay(s?) and how to test them... any info would be MUCH appreciated!
I was about to order the large gear because I'd read that it's probably the one that's worn and the small gear is difficult to get off. But, if it's likely the relay, then I probably should try to figure that out first.
I haven't found any info on the relay(s?) and how to test them... any info would be MUCH appreciated!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 11,889
Likes: 8
From: Whitefish Falls Ontario
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
This caught my attention because I'm having a similar problem with my 87. It's just been the right headlight and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I haven't used it a lot recently. Because the left headlight pops up, I can't tell if the motor on the right one is running or not.
I was about to order the large gear because I'd read that it's probably the one that's worn and the small gear is difficult to get off. But, if it's likely the relay, then I probably should try to figure that out first.
I haven't found any info on the relay(s?) and how to test them... any info would be MUCH appreciated!
I was about to order the large gear because I'd read that it's probably the one that's worn and the small gear is difficult to get off. But, if it's likely the relay, then I probably should try to figure that out first.
I haven't found any info on the relay(s?) and how to test them... any info would be MUCH appreciated!
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 509
Likes: 5
From: Edmonds WA
I did some further testing today... both headlights are moving reliably today (you gotta LOVE intermittent problems). I unplugged one at a time, though and the passenger side motor is significantly louder than the driver side.
So, I still can't be *sure* it's the gear, rather than the relay, but with all that noise, I'm guessing so.
Anyone else think I should order just the large gear? Or, is it a "while you're at it" kind of thing... and I should replace both even though the smaller (black) gear can be hard to get off?
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 509
Likes: 5
From: Edmonds WA
BTW, on page 8B-5, the FSM says that the headlight retractor systems are covered in section 2C. But, there is no section 2C in the FSM that I can find, anyway (there's a 2B, though). Has anyone found where that is covered in the manual?