ARGH! Stupid headlight

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Feb 19, 2007 | 07:39 AM

VinnyT

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 7,364

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From: Rocky Mount Virginia

ARGH! Stupid headlight

Well, the passenger light won't pop-up. I know that this is a common problem and have read the sticky regarding it. I plan on getting the brass gears, but need these to operate now. Has anyone replaced it with just the nylon one and have it work fine? I can get these at the hardware store tonite and hopefully get it working by sundown.

I've read several installation techniques and wondered which one is the best? Is there anything NOT mentioned in these write-ups I should be aware of?

Thanks all!
V

Feb 19, 2007 | 07:50 AM

Blown 346

Melting Slicks

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 2,041

Likes: 4

From: Rockford Illinois

Quote:

Originally Posted by VinnyT

You could get a nylon one but why waste the money. You can manually raise th elight until the new gear comes in.

Feb 19, 2007 | 08:52 AM

AC54ME

Team Owner

Joined: Feb 2003

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From: Plano Texas

CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran

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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blown 346

You could get a nylon one but why waste the money. You can manually raise th elight until the new gear comes in.

And, the time (long) to install either (plastic or brass) is the same.

Feb 19, 2007 | 04:04 PM

DeeGee

Tech Contributor

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 19,384

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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England

2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC54ME

And, the time (long) to install either (plastic or brass) is the same.

If you're going to the bother of replacing the gear use a good part

Feb 19, 2007 | 05:02 PM

zTrek

Burning Brakes

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 940

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From: Surprise Arizona

Given the time it takes to replace the gears, I would wait until until you had the brass ones available. In the newer C5s, you have to carefully split the motor housing at a seam line and then epoxy it back together after the gear has been replaced. You don't want to do this more than once. In the meantime, manually raise the light and leave it that way until your brass gears arrive. I ordered the Rodney Dickman kit and did both gears at the same time. This kit comes with everything you need besides tools to complete the job (ie it comes with the hardware, protective lubricant, black epoxy, and a nifty little "T-brace" that helps ensure that the epoxy seal won't break down in the future.

Feb 22, 2007 | 12:00 AM

oz98vette

4th Gear

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 4

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Headlight gear problem

I've replaced mine with the brass gear and it's not that hard. One thing I should warn you about though I replaced mine and it still works intermittently. You can tell if it's the gear that's bad because the headlamp motor will spin, but the gears don't make contact. Mine did this before, but now after installing the brass gear the motor doesn't even try to spin. Still in process of troubleshooting it whether it's the motor itself or maybe a sticking relay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VinnyT

Feb 22, 2007 | 05:05 AM

Cajun99

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 6,213

Likes: 1

From: South Alabama

Quote:

Originally Posted by VinnyT

Well, the passenger light won't pop-up. I know that this is a common problem and have read the sticky regarding it.

It's not necessarily a common problem...might seem to be on the Forum cuz you have more posts regarding these type of issues vs. posts stating how great the car is. Forum membership is a mere drop in the bucket of total owners. Problems seem to be magnified here. Hang around here a week or two as a non-owner lurker and you'd come to the conclusion the car is a piece of chit!!

Seven years as a daily driver and mine has had no headlight problems, nor have any of the dozens and dozens of Vette owners I've know and have known over the years.

With that said, go with the brass. Metal is always better than "plastic" in that type of scenario.

Feb 22, 2007 | 07:07 AM

VinnyT

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 7,364

Likes: 6

From: Rocky Mount Virginia

I've bought several different vehicles before this one and did research on those specific forums. Yeah, anyone starting out on a new forum regarding a certain vehicle would be shocked at the "problems" of the vehicle. That's what I like. I know right off the bat what I could be possibly having to fix/replace. The headlight, I believe, was just stuck from the freezing weather. After the temp was above 35, it worked and still works fine. I guess I jumped the gun a bit, but I will replace the gears anyway. It is a cheap fix and I'd like to know it's done right. Overall, NO problems with the car except for the dumb oil sending unit went south. Another cheap fix. Otherwise: