Yes, a headlight rotation question...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 343
Likes: 18
From: Newport News VA
Yes, a headlight rotation question...
Has anyone had a situation where a headlight will rotate just fine with the hood up but only rotate halfway with the hood closed?
1989. I manually rotated the passenger headlight with the hood up to make sure there was no impingement, completely smooth. Rotates just fine with the hood up, but not down. I did the idiot check to make sure nothing was hitting it during the rotation. Appears to have a clear path. Any obvious places I need to start looking?
Always, thank you!
1989. I manually rotated the passenger headlight with the hood up to make sure there was no impingement, completely smooth. Rotates just fine with the hood up, but not down. I did the idiot check to make sure nothing was hitting it during the rotation. Appears to have a clear path. Any obvious places I need to start looking?
Always, thank you!
Last edited by JasBass; Mar 24, 2018 at 10:32 PM. Reason: Added Year
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 343
Likes: 18
From: Newport News VA
I finally forgot to add the year one time.. It is a 1989. It is the oddest thing. I'm going to have to dig in there again tomorrow and make sure the overflow tank is as low as it can be mounted. Everything is lubed up and moves freely...except when the hood is down
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 343
Likes: 18
From: Newport News VA
I've had it since May 2017. It's had very little road time. I bought it to be a weekend wrencher and it ended up needing more work than I originally thought. Basically had to disassemble everything, cleaned and replaced as needed. I finally got all of the interior dash and HVAC in today which is why I was finally able to test the headlights. I freely admit a hose or two could be 1/4 to 1/8 off, enough to catch that assembly...
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
You could have a broken tooth in the gear. With the hood in different positions, the gear might grab/slip....better/worse. When mine "went" several years ago, it was odd/intermittent like that. Of course it got worse.
Basically, I can visualize the broken tooth being in a spot:
When vertical, is able to "roll" beyond the broken tooth/gap.
When horizontal, it slips and is unable to pull beyond that gap.
I think Spock said it best: "Eliminate everything possible. Whatever's left -- however improbable -- must be the truth."
Basically, I can visualize the broken tooth being in a spot:
When vertical, is able to "roll" beyond the broken tooth/gap.
When horizontal, it slips and is unable to pull beyond that gap.
I think Spock said it best: "Eliminate everything possible. Whatever's left -- however improbable -- must be the truth."
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 304
From: MOORESVILLE NC
Sorry JB, most on the Forum has had your pain. 89 is a good year. Expansion tank has it's own mounting points. That hose that feeds the tank needs to be mounted as close to the body frame as possibly. Post back and I hope you find the problem. 
Just saw GP's advise. The old plastic gears can act funky.
Just saw GP's advise. The old plastic gears can act funky.
Last edited by HAD2HAV2; Mar 25, 2018 at 12:28 AM.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 343
Likes: 18
From: Newport News VA
As frustrating as the headlight seems, i'm actually kinda glad to be getting back to these classic problems lol! I've spent months tracking down weird electrical problems, so things like this are welcome. PO showed me receipts from where he had the brass gears installed, that was part of the selling point... I'll tinker this afternoon and post back. Thank you all
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 343
Likes: 18
From: Newport News VA
Well, this one completely rests on me. I had pulled the overflow tank out when I first got the car because it was pretty grungy. I must have noob'd and put the most forward overflow hose bracket on the furthest bolt (most near the bumper) instead of the closest bolt. Switch it over and it rotates completely fine now. I'll take an easy win with a little egg on my face
Pro
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 502
Likes: 21
From: Long Island, New York
Has anyone had a situation where a headlight will rotate just fine with the hood up but only rotate halfway with the hood closed?
1989. I manually rotated the passenger headlight with the hood up to make sure there was no impingement, completely smooth. Rotates just fine with the hood up, but not down. I did the idiot check to make sure nothing was hitting it during the rotation. Appears to have a clear path. Any obvious places I need to start looking?
Always, thank you!
1989. I manually rotated the passenger headlight with the hood up to make sure there was no impingement, completely smooth. Rotates just fine with the hood up, but not down. I did the idiot check to make sure nothing was hitting it during the rotation. Appears to have a clear path. Any obvious places I need to start looking?
Always, thank you!
With your hood closed and the headlight stuck halfway up, take a flashlight and look to see if anything is causing the headlight to get stck.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 343
Likes: 18
From: Newport News VA
I had this exact problem last week. Turned out to be something really stupid. With the hood closed, the harness for the headlight was getting stuck in the headlight travel causing it not to close.
With your hood closed and the headlight stuck halfway up, take a flashlight and look to see if anything is causing the headlight to get stck.
With your hood closed and the headlight stuck halfway up, take a flashlight and look to see if anything is causing the headlight to get stck.