Headlight motor question...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
Headlight motor question...
Well one of my headlight motors died a while back ago. I tried a few things to repair it, and eventually bought a rebuilt unit. It still won't open with the rebuilt unit. This was quite a while back ago, and life got in the way. Can't recall everything I attempted, but I do recall replacing three relays as well but still no luck. I was beginning to suspect the rebuilt one was defective as well, as I plugged it into the socket of the other headlight which still opens, and it does not work there either. Is this an effective way to test it, or is there some polarity blah blah type issue to consider? Thanks!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,183
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From: Kannapolis NC
When you replaced the motor, did you also replace the 3 bushings and nylon gear attached? If it hums for a short period and stops, and you it off or on again, and it hums again, it may be binding. Maybe in the linkage? It should drive until it hits a stop in either direction and the resultant voltage spike shuts it off.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
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might have got a bad one. Are the grounds good?
Last edited by antfarmer2; Feb 19, 2016 at 07:30 AM.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
When you replaced the motor, did you also replace the 3 bushings and nylon gear attached? If it hums for a short period and stops, and you it off or on again, and it hums again, it may be binding. Maybe in the linkage? It should drive until it hits a stop in either direction and the resultant voltage spike shuts it off.
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
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Just reread you pluged it I the working side and did not work. I would try this again might be to late for the warranty. Spin the **** all the way both ways and feel for binding.
Last edited by antfarmer2; Feb 19, 2016 at 08:05 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,183
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From: Kannapolis NC
They should have, I only asked in case you bought just the motor and not the gear assy attached. It sure sounds like you got a bad one, or the wiring from the connector to the motor is suspect. The fact that it makes noise leans more toward binding. For 100% check you could move the working one over and connect to the side that isn't working. It would eliminate having more than one problem.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Mission Viejo CA
Check out this link:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...placement.html
Last edited by Hot Rod Roy; Feb 19, 2016 at 01:13 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
Thanks for reading it again. Tried it, but no luck. Warranty is still in effect though...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
They should have, I only asked in case you bought just the motor and not the gear assy attached. It sure sounds like you got a bad one, or the wiring from the connector to the motor is suspect. The fact that it makes noise leans more toward binding. For 100% check you could move the working one over and connect to the side that isn't working. It would eliminate having more than one problem.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
Couldn't hurt to check. Can you tell me where I'd find that fuse block? Have not worked on the car in a while, and my memory is a bit foggy. Thanks!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
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Gents, this is an '86! No bushings! Those bushings are only in the '88- '96! These symptoms in an '84 - '87 tell me it's probably a Limit Switch problem, but may be the motor brushes. To find this in a "guaranteed" replacement headlight motor is strange. By swapping side-to-side tells me it's not a relay problem. (No relays in the '88 - '96, either). Try cleaning the limit switches. Use a light weight white grease, like Lubriplate or CRC StaLube on the motor bearings and gears. Lube on the motor bearings is very important! I'm presuming you still have your original headlight motor?
Check out this link:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...placement.html
Check out this link:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...placement.html
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,183
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
As I said, I'm not familiar with an 86, but look for switches that are changed at the full end of travel in each direction. I wouldn't think they would be in the motor, but maybe someone who does will let you know.