1985 headlights doesn't close
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
1985 headlights doesn't close
Hi,
I bought my '85 on this Saturday, and I already found an issue.
The headlights opening when I pull the light switch but stays open when I push the switch back.
I replaced the the 3 relays , I hear the "click" from the relay when turning off the light.
Do you have any idea where can I start diagnose it?
Thanks
I bought my '85 on this Saturday, and I already found an issue.
The headlights opening when I pull the light switch but stays open when I push the switch back.
I replaced the the 3 relays , I hear the "click" from the relay when turning off the light.
Do you have any idea where can I start diagnose it?
Thanks
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Do do you agree if the headlights door opens the motor should be OK and the problem is somewhere in the wiring?
The previous owner did something , (I bought it from the UK ) now the backlights has yellow turn signal what originally was red.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 41
From: Baltimore, MD USA
Hi,
I bought my '85 on this Saturday, and I already found an issue.
The headlights opening when I pull the light switch but stays open when I push the switch back.
I replaced the the 3 relays , I hear the "click" from the relay when turning off the light.
Do you have any idea where can I start diagnose it?
Thanks
I bought my '85 on this Saturday, and I already found an issue.
The headlights opening when I pull the light switch but stays open when I push the switch back.
I replaced the the 3 relays , I hear the "click" from the relay when turning off the light.
Do you have any idea where can I start diagnose it?
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
That is a perfect description of dirty limit switches inside the headlight motors. Here's a link to another post. You may be aware that the '84 - '87 headlight motors are a totally different design than the '88 - '96 Corvette headlight motors. They have different problems!
corvetteforum.com/forums/c4-tech-performance/3863051-1986-headlight-motor.html
corvetteforum.com/forums/c4-tech-performance/3863051-1986-headlight-motor.html
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
That is a perfect description of dirty limit switches inside the headlight motors. Here's a link to another post. You may be aware that the '84 - '87 headlight motors are a totally different design than the '88 - '96 Corvette headlight motors. They have different problems!
corvetteforum.com/forums/c4-tech-performance/3863051-1986-headlight-motor.html
corvetteforum.com/forums/c4-tech-performance/3863051-1986-headlight-motor.html
So in my case I have to clean both?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
The only thing that is common to both headlight motors not closing is the headlight switch. Test for 12 v. at the LH motor grey wire with the switch OFF. The motor ground is the dk green wire on both motors, but the LH and the RH motors have separate ground paths, so the problem can't be the ground connections.
The relays will still "click" when you turn off the switch, but if 12 v. is missing from the LH motor grey wire, both headlights will stay open.
You could apply 12 v. to that grey wire to test. HEADLIGHT SWITCH MUST BE OFF FOR THIS TEST!! KEEP FINGERS AWAY FOR THIS TEST!!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Oops! I didn't understand that BOTH of your headlights are failing to close at the same time. You are right. My suggestion doesn't make sense.
The only thing that is common to both headlight motors not closing is the headlight switch. Test for 12 v. at the LH motor grey wire with the switch OFF. The motor ground is the dk green wire on both motors, but the LH and the RH motors have separate ground paths, so the problem can't be the ground connections.
The relays will still "click" when you turn off the switch, but if 12 v. is missing from the LH motor grey wire, both headlights will stay open.
You could apply 12 v. to that grey wire to test. HEADLIGHT SWITCH MUST BE OFF FOR THIS TEST!! KEEP FINGERS AWAY FOR THIS TEST!!
The only thing that is common to both headlight motors not closing is the headlight switch. Test for 12 v. at the LH motor grey wire with the switch OFF. The motor ground is the dk green wire on both motors, but the LH and the RH motors have separate ground paths, so the problem can't be the ground connections.
The relays will still "click" when you turn off the switch, but if 12 v. is missing from the LH motor grey wire, both headlights will stay open.
You could apply 12 v. to that grey wire to test. HEADLIGHT SWITCH MUST BE OFF FOR THIS TEST!! KEEP FINGERS AWAY FOR THIS TEST!!
The light switch should be off but what about the ignition? Or doesn't matter with direct 12v?
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