Headlight Probelm
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Headlight Probelm
Hello,
I am a new member to the Forum. I have a problem with my drivers side headlight. When I turn the lights on, the headlight will bounce up and down (looks like it is winking) about 5 or 6 times before it settles in. Even when it stops it sometimes is not all the way up. And when I turn the lights off, it never goes all the way down. Can someone please help??? I have been told it is a gear, and I have been told I need a new motor. Any sugestions.
Rob
I am a new member to the Forum. I have a problem with my drivers side headlight. When I turn the lights on, the headlight will bounce up and down (looks like it is winking) about 5 or 6 times before it settles in. Even when it stops it sometimes is not all the way up. And when I turn the lights off, it never goes all the way down. Can someone please help??? I have been told it is a gear, and I have been told I need a new motor. Any sugestions.
Rob
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 5
From: Eastern PA
Originally Posted by isuvette00
Hello,
I am a new member to the Forum. I have a problem with my drivers side headlight. When I turn the lights on, the headlight will bounce up and down (looks like it is winking) about 5 or 6 times before it settles in. Even when it stops it sometimes is not all the way up. And when I turn the lights off, it never goes all the way down. Can someone please help??? I have been told it is a gear, and I have been told I need a new motor. Any sugestions.
Rob
I am a new member to the Forum. I have a problem with my drivers side headlight. When I turn the lights on, the headlight will bounce up and down (looks like it is winking) about 5 or 6 times before it settles in. Even when it stops it sometimes is not all the way up. And when I turn the lights off, it never goes all the way down. Can someone please help??? I have been told it is a gear, and I have been told I need a new motor. Any sugestions.
Rob
Suggest you go the gear route first (if you can afford to possibly not drive at night and/or have a second car). It's the cheapest. See http://www.rodneydickman.com/corvette.html for more info.
If you need a motor, get one at a swap meet (if they'll sell you just the motor.) If not, get one @ one of the CF vendors, as I did - www.vette2vette.com. It's a lot cheaper than buying new through Chevy.
Good luck!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Great advice posted above. For your convenience, the replacement aftermarket brass C5 headlamps gears are available at Mid America, Ecklers, etc., mail order catalogs. Best wishes to you. 
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 3
From: Southern NH
Before you replace the gears, check the plastic stop tabs that the motor arm hits when the door opens and closes. There was a TSB on these tabs snapping due to improper motor shimming which would prevent the door from opening and/or closing properly:
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=217
The cost for these parts is in the order of $10-$15.
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=217
The cost for these parts is in the order of $10-$15.
2000: Service Bulletin: Left Headlamp Door Does Not Stay Closed
Number: 00-08-42-002
Subject: Left Headlamp Door Does Not Stay Closed (Shim Headlamp Door Motor/Actuator and Replace Insulators)
Model Year: 2000 Chevrolet Corvette
Condition
Some customers may comment that the left front headlamp door does not remain closed after the headlamps are turned off. Others may comment that the left headlamp door closes when the headlamps are turned off, but then reopens. In either case, the right headlamp door operates properly.
Correction
Important
The following information applies to the left front headlamp door motor/actuator only. It does not apply to and should not be performed on the right front headlamp door motor/actuator.
Install one washer (2) between the left headlamp door motor/actuator (1) and the mounting bracket (3) at each of the three attaching bolt locations. Also replace the insulator (4) on each of the two mounting bracket travel stop tabs (5) as shown. For information on headlamp motor/actuator removal, see the Headlamp Motor/Actuator Replacement procedure in the Lighting sub-section of Body & Accessories in the appropriate Service Manual.
Parts Information
Part Number
Description
Qty Per Vehicle
11505463
Washer
3
16524060
Insulator
2
Number: 00-08-42-002
Subject: Left Headlamp Door Does Not Stay Closed (Shim Headlamp Door Motor/Actuator and Replace Insulators)
Model Year: 2000 Chevrolet Corvette
Condition
Some customers may comment that the left front headlamp door does not remain closed after the headlamps are turned off. Others may comment that the left headlamp door closes when the headlamps are turned off, but then reopens. In either case, the right headlamp door operates properly.
Correction
Important
The following information applies to the left front headlamp door motor/actuator only. It does not apply to and should not be performed on the right front headlamp door motor/actuator.
Install one washer (2) between the left headlamp door motor/actuator (1) and the mounting bracket (3) at each of the three attaching bolt locations. Also replace the insulator (4) on each of the two mounting bracket travel stop tabs (5) as shown. For information on headlamp motor/actuator removal, see the Headlamp Motor/Actuator Replacement procedure in the Lighting sub-section of Body & Accessories in the appropriate Service Manual.
Parts Information
Part Number
Description
Qty Per Vehicle
11505463
Washer
3
16524060
Insulator
2
