Electrical - Headlight Motor - 1988
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From: Oregon
Electrical - Headlight Motor - 1988
When I turn on the parking lights and/or parking lights with fog lights, the left (driver's side) headlight motor will turn on and spin for a short period then turn off. The right headlight motor stays off.
When the headlights are turned on the motor continues to run a short while after the light is up, while the right motor shuts off once the light it up.
Any ideas? Headlight switch?
When the headlights are turned on the motor continues to run a short while after the light is up, while the right motor shuts off once the light it up.
Any ideas? Headlight switch?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: seattle WA
How's the alignment once the headlights are up? Sounds like one doesn't think the light is all the way up.I don't think it's the headlight switch, because if I read right-the lights are comming up.You may have a bad relay-or sticky relay.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: 1990 383 Stroker Baltimore Maryland
The spinning after the light opens means that your bushings have worn out. Here is a quick fix! You can order them through ebay or any Corvette catalog for around $5 with instructions.
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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I can save you more loot than that! Go to Home Depot and ask for item 595609. You will need 6 of these nylon spacers (bushings) in order to repair both lights.
Then, go to C-4 TechTips and look for "headlight motor repair." Print out these instructions, READ CAREFULLY, then proceed.
Then, go to C-4 TechTips and look for "headlight motor repair." Print out these instructions, READ CAREFULLY, then proceed.
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From: Oregon
Originally Posted by vettefast
The spinning after the light opens means that your bushings have worn out. Here is a quick fix! You can order them through ebay or any Corvette catalog for around $5 with instructions.
Thanks a lot!
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From: Oregon
Originally Posted by onedef92
I can save you more loot than that! Go to Home Depot and ask for item 595609. You will need 6 of these nylon spacers (bushings) in order to repair both lights.
Then, go to C-4 TechTips and look for "headlight motor repair." Print out these instructions, READ CAREFULLY, then proceed.
Then, go to C-4 TechTips and look for "headlight motor repair." Print out these instructions, READ CAREFULLY, then proceed.
Thanks for the info!
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From: Oregon
Originally Posted by rick lambert
How's the alignment once the headlights are up? Sounds like one doesn't think the light is all the way up.I don't think it's the headlight switch, because if I read right-the lights are comming up.You may have a bad relay-or sticky relay.
Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,478
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From: Sacramento, CA Money can't buy happiness - but it's more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than a Yugo.
If the brushes were bad the motors would have problems turning, not running on like they do. The 88 headlight relaya are in a solid state unit mounted in front of the driver front tire. It isn't the relays. vettefast is correct; what you are experiencing is due to the internal headlight gear bushings going bad. I had the exact same symptoms. Saw it happen on my brother's 89 too. The original bushings were made of a compliant semi-hard gel and they disintegrate over time.
I used the Home Depot nylon spacers in my 88 and my brother's 89 and I now do not recommend them by themselves. They will work initially, but didn't hold up over time. The DELRIN spacers that Ecklers sells are slightly larger and stiffer. I had already ordered 1 set of spacers from Ecklers previously so in my 88 I used a combination of DELRIN spacers and the 595609 spacers and it worked just fine, but in my brother's 89 using only the 595609 spacers it didn't last. I reommend that you pay the $ and get all DELRIN spacers and as onedef92 says follow the Tech Tip. You can do it yourself for under $15 even using all DELRIN spacers.
Originally Posted by onedef92
I can save you more loot than that! Go to Home Depot and ask for item 595609. You will need 6 of these nylon spacers (bushings) in order to repair both lights.
Then, go to C-4 TechTips and look for "headlight motor repair." Print out these instructions, READ CAREFULLY, then proceed.
Then, go to C-4 TechTips and look for "headlight motor repair." Print out these instructions, READ CAREFULLY, then proceed.
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2004
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I used the Delrin bushings from Corvette Central in my 88... solved all the problems you are having... from experience it will get worse.... now the motor runs a little extra, then you'll have to "help" the light complete it's rollover... just buy the bushings now and fix it on a weekend.
http://www.corvettecentral.com/
88-96 Headlight Motor Repair Kit 444359 5.20 Kit
88-96 factory headlight motors contain a drive gear that is gel packed, and it is this packing that fails and allows the motors to free wheel. The repair kit contains 3 Delrin bushings that replace the gel and allow the motors to operate properly. Easy installation - one kit needed per motor. Instructions included.
http://www.corvettecentral.com/
88-96 Headlight Motor Repair Kit 444359 5.20 Kit
88-96 factory headlight motors contain a drive gear that is gel packed, and it is this packing that fails and allows the motors to free wheel. The repair kit contains 3 Delrin bushings that replace the gel and allow the motors to operate properly. Easy installation - one kit needed per motor. Instructions included.
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From: Oregon
Originally Posted by SSN591 Shark
I used the Delrin bushings from Corvette Central in my 88... solved all the problems you are having... from experience it will get worse.... now the motor runs a little extra, then you'll have to "help" the light complete it's rollover... just buy the bushings now and fix it on a weekend.
http://www.corvettecentral.com/
88-96 Headlight Motor Repair Kit 444359 5.20 Kit
88-96 factory headlight motors contain a drive gear that is gel packed, and it is this packing that fails and allows the motors to free wheel. The repair kit contains 3 Delrin bushings that replace the gel and allow the motors to operate properly. Easy installation - one kit needed per motor. Instructions included.
http://www.corvettecentral.com/
88-96 Headlight Motor Repair Kit 444359 5.20 Kit
88-96 factory headlight motors contain a drive gear that is gel packed, and it is this packing that fails and allows the motors to free wheel. The repair kit contains 3 Delrin bushings that replace the gel and allow the motors to operate properly. Easy installation - one kit needed per motor. Instructions included.
One might think these things could be sent via Snail Mail for a buck.
I don't want to have to do this job more than once if I can help it.
SSBN 618 (B)
Team Owner
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Don't let one Forum member's negative experience deter you.
I've compared both spacers and bushings (Home Depot vs MAD) first hand and I couldn't discern any significant difference in construction quality.
I'm not doubting Mike_88Z51's word, but I'll bet there was something going on with those headlight motors in question besides bushings that caused the problem.
I've compared both spacers and bushings (Home Depot vs MAD) first hand and I couldn't discern any significant difference in construction quality.
I'm not doubting Mike_88Z51's word, but I'll bet there was something going on with those headlight motors in question besides bushings that caused the problem.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Oregon
Originally Posted by onedef92
Don't let one Forum member's negative experience deter you.
I've compared both spacers and bushings (Home Depot vs MAD) first hand and I couldn't discern any significant difference in construction quality.
I'm not doubting Mike_88Z51's word, but I'll bet there was something going on with those headlight motors in question besides bushings that caused the problem.
I've compared both spacers and bushings (Home Depot vs MAD) first hand and I couldn't discern any significant difference in construction quality.
I'm not doubting Mike_88Z51's word, but I'll bet there was something going on with those headlight motors in question besides bushings that caused the problem.
I came here for help and all of you have been very nice providing same and I thank all of you.
I did pick up a set from Home Depot. I had my windshield replaced and I now have a squeak where my top meets the windshield. I decided to order the upgraded anti-squeak stick on what ever you call them and while I was at it I decided to order their bushings. It was only 10 bucks for a set for both lights and when they come in I'll use the ones that fit the best. I won't be able to tackle the job until next weekend so I had time to wait for the order to arrive and I don't want to have to redo the job.
Then again I get to drive the Vette on some Mondays and Fridays or when something is wrong. The rest of the time my wife drives it. Now that I think about it, having to redo the job will allow me to have the Vette for an extra day, not a bad idea at all!!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 634
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From: Oregon
Originally Posted by onedef92
Don't let one Forum member's negative experience deter you.
I've compared both spacers and bushings (Home Depot vs MAD) first hand and I couldn't discern any significant difference in construction quality.
I'm not doubting Mike_88Z51's word, but I'll bet there was something going on with those headlight motors in question besides bushings that caused the problem.
I've compared both spacers and bushings (Home Depot vs MAD) first hand and I couldn't discern any significant difference in construction quality.
I'm not doubting Mike_88Z51's word, but I'll bet there was something going on with those headlight motors in question besides bushings that caused the problem.
