Headlights Getting Stuck
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Headlights Getting Stuck
Hey all,
I have an 89 corvette that I can't seem to troubleshoot here. I have both pop up headlights working, meaning the motor engages and spins. However, the right headlight does not spin open, it gets stuck and doesn't open anymore. I'm not sure if something in the mechanism is out of place causing it, (ie. the metal thing that free spins) or if the gear has finally broken on me. The left headlight is a hit or miss, sometimes the motor engages and spins open, and sometimes the motor does not engage and the headlight doesn't pop up. Not sure if that is a relay or something, but just thought maybe someone else may have had this issue before and can share some knowledge.
Thanks!
I have an 89 corvette that I can't seem to troubleshoot here. I have both pop up headlights working, meaning the motor engages and spins. However, the right headlight does not spin open, it gets stuck and doesn't open anymore. I'm not sure if something in the mechanism is out of place causing it, (ie. the metal thing that free spins) or if the gear has finally broken on me. The left headlight is a hit or miss, sometimes the motor engages and spins open, and sometimes the motor does not engage and the headlight doesn't pop up. Not sure if that is a relay or something, but just thought maybe someone else may have had this issue before and can share some knowledge.
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,061
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
I would check gears first: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...hts-video.html
Module second: https://www.instructables.com/C4-Cor...roller-Repair/
Module second: https://www.instructables.com/C4-Cor...roller-Repair/
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I would check gears first: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...hts-video.html
Module second: https://www.instructables.com/C4-Cor...roller-Repair/
Module second: https://www.instructables.com/C4-Cor...roller-Repair/
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,894
Likes: 592
From: New Port Richey FL
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
There is a little metal "T" shaped piece that is on the motor shaft adjacent to the bell crank that is held on with the roll-pin. Hard to explain. When I purchased my 90, the doors had already been serviced. (pellets). I found this piece installed incorrectly, and the door would occasionally jamb part-way through the travel. The other side didn't even have the T-piece, it had been left out. Because I didn't have another 88-96 to look at to see how to assemble it properly, and the side that didn't have the piece at all didn't act up, I removed the piece and left it out. Now both sides are trouble-free. I don't know what the T-piece is supposed to do, but if it is installed improperly it causes problems. If it isn't even there, it doesn't. YMMV.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 716
Likes: 135
From: Buchanan, Michigan
I honestly think it’s the mechanism, not the gear. There’s that piece you were talking about that freely swings back and forth, I think it somehow got knocked out of placed. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to fix that and I can’t find anything online. I don’t want to play with it, I’ll probably break it even more knowing me. Looking from one headlight to the other they look the same, but something has to be off.
this video shows the repair process completely. it is very simple, usually just needs the three dowels replaced, occasionally the gear is bad too, do not replace with bronze, just find another plastic one. its a simple saturday project, and a good chance to do some detailing under the hood. You can do this, its not difficult at all. there is a kit with 6 plastic pellets on ebay for less than $10.00 and it is usually all that is required. follow the video, he does a very good job of explaining what needs to be inspected, and how to disassemble/assemble each unit after the repair is done. do them both at the same time, even if one side seems ok.
Last edited by Bill Chase; Jun 12, 2022 at 10:54 AM.
