C5 Headlight Headaches!
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
C5 Headlight Headaches!
Hi
Here's my problem. I have a Headlight that has just started to act up.
At first it was shaking, up and down at night when I have them on.
So, I tried using the manual control **** to alleviate this problem, but I guess I made it worse. Now when I turn the lights off, it goes down then comes back up. Just on the one side. When I turn them back on, it goes down, and then comes back up. So, at night when I need them, it works, but still shakes up and down a little bit. During the day when I have them off, it goes down, then it comes back up again on one side. Does anyone know what to do, adjust, or replace? Need help. Thanks.........Greg
Here's my problem. I have a Headlight that has just started to act up.
At first it was shaking, up and down at night when I have them on.
So, I tried using the manual control **** to alleviate this problem, but I guess I made it worse. Now when I turn the lights off, it goes down then comes back up. Just on the one side. When I turn them back on, it goes down, and then comes back up. So, at night when I need them, it works, but still shakes up and down a little bit. During the day when I have them off, it goes down, then it comes back up again on one side. Does anyone know what to do, adjust, or replace? Need help. Thanks.........Greg
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Hello Greg.
Something you might try is to compare the other headlight to the loose one, Move the loose one and try to see where the movement is coming from, Sounds like something has a lot of play in it and by compairing the 2 you should be able to find the trouble, Maybe a pin where the headlight moves is worn, missing. It doesn't sound like a gear prob. Check all the arms on the light.
Bill K
Something you might try is to compare the other headlight to the loose one, Move the loose one and try to see where the movement is coming from, Sounds like something has a lot of play in it and by compairing the 2 you should be able to find the trouble, Maybe a pin where the headlight moves is worn, missing. It doesn't sound like a gear prob. Check all the arms on the light.
Bill K
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I'm sure he means the sticky at the top of the page....
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=984927
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=984927
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Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,917
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From: Southern NH
Let's address the problems one at a time. Although the internal gear is a common problem there is nothing in your description that points to the gear.
The loose up/down while driving is likely due to the pin connecting the motor arm to the headlight door frame has come loose. The pin is held in place with a press washer - if that washer comes off and the pin slides partially out the linkage will be loose and result in what you are seeing.
The second issue with the light closing then raising partially is due to the nylon stopper that the motor arm hits when you close the light has come off. Without the stopper the motor arm continues past the close position and allows the door to start opening until it hits the back of the other nylon stopper for the open position. There is an old TSB on this issue. You can take one of the other stoppers on the back of the headlight and place it in the location of the close limit stopper until you get a replacement.
FWIW, the gear issue will be very evident with the motor continuing to make a grinding noise after the headlight has completely closed.
The loose up/down while driving is likely due to the pin connecting the motor arm to the headlight door frame has come loose. The pin is held in place with a press washer - if that washer comes off and the pin slides partially out the linkage will be loose and result in what you are seeing.
The second issue with the light closing then raising partially is due to the nylon stopper that the motor arm hits when you close the light has come off. Without the stopper the motor arm continues past the close position and allows the door to start opening until it hits the back of the other nylon stopper for the open position. There is an old TSB on this issue. You can take one of the other stoppers on the back of the headlight and place it in the location of the close limit stopper until you get a replacement.
FWIW, the gear issue will be very evident with the motor continuing to make a grinding noise after the headlight has completely closed.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Let's address the problems one at a time. Although the internal gear is a common problem there is nothing in your description that points to the gear.
The loose up/down while driving is likely due to the pin connecting the motor arm to the headlight door frame has come loose. The pin is held in place with a press washer - if that washer comes off and the pin slides partially out the linkage will be loose and result in what you are seeing.
The second issue with the light closing then raising partially is due to the nylon stopper that the motor arm hits when you close the light has come off. Without the stopper the motor arm continues past the close position and allows the door to start opening until it hits the back of the other nylon stopper for the open position. There is an old TSB on this issue. You can take one of the other stoppers on the back of the headlight and place it in the location of the close limit stopper until you get a replacement.
FWIW, the gear issue will be very evident with the motor continuing to make a grinding noise after the headlight has completely closed.
The loose up/down while driving is likely due to the pin connecting the motor arm to the headlight door frame has come loose. The pin is held in place with a press washer - if that washer comes off and the pin slides partially out the linkage will be loose and result in what you are seeing.
The second issue with the light closing then raising partially is due to the nylon stopper that the motor arm hits when you close the light has come off. Without the stopper the motor arm continues past the close position and allows the door to start opening until it hits the back of the other nylon stopper for the open position. There is an old TSB on this issue. You can take one of the other stoppers on the back of the headlight and place it in the location of the close limit stopper until you get a replacement.
FWIW, the gear issue will be very evident with the motor continuing to make a grinding noise after the headlight has completely closed.
Sometimes it's somthing as simple as a loose 10mm bolt that holds the headlight lifting arm to the motor. Removing the headlight bucket and cover will allow you to easily see what's going on.
