Strange Headlight Problem
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
Strange Headlight Problem
On my '87, the passenger headlight randomly stopped going back down. I kept hearing a ticking sound every now and then coming from the motor even after I turned the switch off. I disconnected the battery and manually put it back down. I tried to open the headlights again, and it opened fine, but when I closed them, it went about halfway down then got stuck and the ticking noise resumed. I tried to turn the **** while it was on, and when the ticking noise happened, the motor turned the headlight back up to where it got stuck, not down. I manually put it back down again, connected the battery, and when I closed the hood, the passenger headlight randomly opened back up again. Couldn't find anyone with this specific problem and I'm new to working on cars. Any suggestions?
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 19
Likes: 9
That’s a very typical thing with the C4 vettes. There are plastic gears in the headlight motors that after a long time the gears get worn down and they’ll grind like that. They make new nylon gears and bronze gears for replacement. I replaced mine with nylon. Figured it work for over 20 years I’d keep the nylon ones. Around $25-30 for both and maybe an hour and a half or 2 if you’re a “challenged” mechanic like me. I’m semi-handy. Someone good with their hands? Under an hour. I did the nylon because I hear that the bronze gears were harder in the headlight motors and could burn out a motor. Those are around $250.
You can find a video on how to swap those gears out on YouTube really easy. That’s how I did it.
You can find a video on how to swap those gears out on YouTube really easy. That’s how I did it.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
That’s a very typical thing with the C4 vettes. There are plastic gears in the headlight motors that after a long time the gears get worn down and they’ll grind like that. They make new nylon gears and bronze gears for replacement. I replaced mine with nylon. Figured it work for over 20 years I’d keep the nylon ones. Around $25-30 for both and maybe an hour and a half or 2 if you’re a “challenged” mechanic like me. I’m semi-handy. Someone good with their hands? Under an hour. I did the nylon because I hear that the bronze gears were harder in the headlight motors and could burn out a motor. Those are around $250.
You can find a video on how to swap those gears out on YouTube really easy. That’s how I did it.
You can find a video on how to swap those gears out on YouTube really easy. That’s how I did it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,886
Likes: 590
From: New Port Richey FL
If you want the gears they are $25.00 for each side, bushings are $6.00 each side
Last edited by s carter; Sep 24, 2021 at 12:06 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
Thanks I'll get some too! Sadly, I do not
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
odds are its just the bushings which are cheap $10. +- for both sides, but if you have it apart I recommen having gears in hand though it does jack the cost a bit unless you're like me and live with a corvette only parts store down the street
If you want the gears they are $25.00 for each side, bushings are $6.00 each side
If you want the gears they are $25.00 for each side, bushings are $6.00 each side
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,886
Likes: 590
From: New Port Richey FL
https://corvetteparts.com/item/dowel...ings-1988-1996
https://corvetteparts.com/item/gear-headlamp-motor-1988-1996
Last edited by s carter; Sep 24, 2021 at 01:51 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
parts store down the block
https://corvetteparts.com/item/dowel...ings-1988-1996
https://corvetteparts.com/item/gear-...otor-1988-1996
https://corvetteparts.com/item/dowel...ings-1988-1996
https://corvetteparts.com/item/gear-...otor-1988-1996
Pro
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 534
Likes: 162
From: Omaha, NE
Gears
Looks like 87’s just have gears. I don’t know how to post a direct link to them. I just used corvettecentral.com and then searched for “headlight gears” and found them. One big gear and 1 small one. Kevin
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 19
Likes: 1