"Popeye" Headlight Problem
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 783
Likes: 0
From: Statesboro Ga
"Popeye" Headlight Problem
The other day I had an odd thing happen with my left front headlight. When turning the headlights off, both lights went down, but the left front headlight popped up about 2/3 of the way. I tried several times, and it did it again and again. What's even funnier, or harder to figure out is that when I turn the headlights on, the left light goes down and then comes back up with the right head light!
I've installed the upgraded brass headlight gears, so I'm figuring that ain't the problem. The linkage seemed a bit loose, but not that bad.
Any ideas???
I've installed the upgraded brass headlight gears, so I'm figuring that ain't the problem. The linkage seemed a bit loose, but not that bad.
Any ideas???
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
2 things
Originally Posted by GLF
The other day I had an odd thing happen with my left front headlight. When turning the headlights off, both lights went down, but the left front headlight popped up about 2/3 of the way. I tried several times, and it did it again and again. What's even funnier, or harder to figure out is that when I turn the headlights on, the left light goes down and then comes back up with the right head light!
I've installed the upgraded brass headlight gears, so I'm figuring that ain't the problem. The linkage seemed a bit loose, but not that bad.
Any ideas???
I've installed the upgraded brass headlight gears, so I'm figuring that ain't the problem. The linkage seemed a bit loose, but not that bad.
Any ideas???
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 3
From: Southern NH
Originally Posted by GLF
The other day I had an odd thing happen with my left front headlight. When turning the headlights off, both lights went down, but the left front headlight popped up about 2/3 of the way. I tried several times, and it did it again and again. What's even funnier, or harder to figure out is that when I turn the headlights on, the left light goes down and then comes back up with the right head light!
I've installed the upgraded brass headlight gears, so I'm figuring that ain't the problem. The linkage seemed a bit loose, but not that bad.
Any ideas???
I've installed the upgraded brass headlight gears, so I'm figuring that ain't the problem. The linkage seemed a bit loose, but not that bad.
Any ideas???
If this is your problem it's only on the driver's side and their's a service bulletin for this:
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=217
Even if you're out of warranty, the kit associated with this bulletin is about $10 (washers and nylon stoppers).
To confirm that this is your problem compare the passenger and driver side headlights. If you open the hood and look along the inboard side of the light assembly where the motor arm linkage moves, you should see the white nylon stopper - looks like a chicklet gum. On the driver's side it will be snapped or completely missing and the motor linkage will continue past that spot.
Last edited by JC in XTC5; May 26, 2006 at 10:34 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Originally Posted by JC in XTC5
It could be the nylon stoppers that snapped - it stops the headlight at the correct spot when closing, and once the part snaps the motor continues allowing the headlight to partly open again.
yep; a very common problem.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 29
Likes: 1
From: Roslyn Heights ny
Originally Posted by GLF
The other day I had an odd thing happen with my left front headlight. When turning the headlights off, both lights went down, but the left front headlight popped up about 2/3 of the way. I tried several times, and it did it again and again. What's even funnier, or harder to figure out is that when I turn the headlights on, the left light goes down and then comes back up with the right head light!
I've installed the upgraded brass headlight gears, so I'm figuring that ain't the problem. The linkage seemed a bit loose, but not that bad.
Any ideas???
I've installed the upgraded brass headlight gears, so I'm figuring that ain't the problem. The linkage seemed a bit loose, but not that bad.
Any ideas???
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
Likes: 294
From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
Originally Posted by JC in XTC5
It could be the nylon stoppers that snapped - it stops the headlight at the correct spot when closing, and once the part snaps the motor continues allowing the headlight to partly open again. But from your profile your car is a 2003 and this was a problem in 2000. It could still be the same issue or related to an alignment problem when you put the motor back in after the gear replacement.
If this is your problem it's only on the driver's side and their's a service bulletin for this:
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=217
Even if you're out of warranty, the kit associated with this bulletin is about $10 (washers and nylon stoppers).
To confirm that this is your problem compare the passenger and driver side headlights. If you open the hood and look along the inboard side of the light assembly where the motor arm linkage moves, you should see the white nylon stopper - looks like a chicklet gum. On the driver's side it will be snapped or completely missing and the motor linkage will continue past that spot.
If this is your problem it's only on the driver's side and their's a service bulletin for this:
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=217
Even if you're out of warranty, the kit associated with this bulletin is about $10 (washers and nylon stoppers).
To confirm that this is your problem compare the passenger and driver side headlights. If you open the hood and look along the inboard side of the light assembly where the motor arm linkage moves, you should see the white nylon stopper - looks like a chicklet gum. On the driver's side it will be snapped or completely missing and the motor linkage will continue past that spot.
I had this problem also. It only happens on the drivers side headlight for some reason. I fixed it by referencing the tech update and I used 3 flat washers which came from the hardware store. I reused the plastic stop by flipping one of them and switching them so that the damaged one was facing the opposite side from where it made contact with the motor frame. Depending on how bad it is, this may not work, but it worked for me. The only reason I did this was my local stealer said it would be 10 days or more before they could get these little boogers. The little plastic stop costs about 5 bucks if you have to buy them. The washers are a nickel apiece. Good luck..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
Likes: 294
From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
Originally Posted by one wink
just developed the identical problem 4K after doing the metal gear fix. the stops on mine are OK, so i"m still looking for fix.
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 29
Likes: 1
From: Roslyn Heights ny
Finally have both lights totally disassembled and see that there are four stoppers on each light. The down stopper on the drivers side is chewed up but can be reversed as was suggested. However, I m interested in your three washer fix but do not quite understand the application. Could you please explain the placement in more detail.
Having changed the gears about four thousand miles ago and now seeing this problem with the stops I'm wondering if the original nylon gear was taking some of the impact load off the stops. Really doesn't matter since all was doomed to failure in the oroginal design.
Thanks
Having changed the gears about four thousand miles ago and now seeing this problem with the stops I'm wondering if the original nylon gear was taking some of the impact load off the stops. Really doesn't matter since all was doomed to failure in the oroginal design.
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
Likes: 294
From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
Don't worry about the brass gear, I doubt if the is an issue. The following is copied from the GM technical update. The link that was by JC also has a diagram that shows what to do.
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
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
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,651
Likes: 9
From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by wannabe-psi
@your thread title My car did that once... found out someone spilled creamed spinach in my car...
