Replaced headlight gear - new problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111
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From: Edmonton Alberta
Replaced headlight gear - new problem
I replaced the stock nylon gears for the headlight motor, as one of the headlights was making a "growling" sound after the headlight assembly went down.
Thanx to members on the forum that recommended that I change the nylon gears with the aluminum ones.
Anyways - new problem. Now the headlights will come on, but the headlights don't flip up.... Any ideas??
Thanx in advance
Thanx to members on the forum that recommended that I change the nylon gears with the aluminum ones.
Anyways - new problem. Now the headlights will come on, but the headlights don't flip up.... Any ideas??
Thanx in advance
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I replaced the stock nylon gears for the headlight motor, as one of the headlights was making a "growling" sound after the headlight assembly went down.
Thanx to members on the forum that recommended that I change the nylon gears with the aluminum ones.
Anyways - new problem. Now the headlights will come on, but the headlights don't flip up.... Any ideas??
Thanx in advance
Thanx to members on the forum that recommended that I change the nylon gears with the aluminum ones.
Anyways - new problem. Now the headlights will come on, but the headlights don't flip up.... Any ideas??
Thanx in advance
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton Alberta
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton Alberta
I checked the fuse. It's o.k.
Lights don't pop up at all with the key off (turn the lights on...you can see them on, but they don't pop up).
With the car running, sometimes one light will pop up (not always the same one), once in a while both will work, but 99% of the time none of the lights pop up.
Any other ideas???
Lights don't pop up at all with the key off (turn the lights on...you can see them on, but they don't pop up).
With the car running, sometimes one light will pop up (not always the same one), once in a while both will work, but 99% of the time none of the lights pop up.
Any other ideas???
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 71
From: MA
I would check your headlight switch. Try wiggling it. Sometimes they go.
Also, I believe there is a relay that controls the rising of the lights. I don't remember where it is located. Check the passenger and engine fuse blocks. It may be marked. If you find it try swapping it for another of the same time.
Did you connect the headlight that you repaired correctly, both electrically and mechanically? Is the linkage of the one you fixed in the same location as the other one?
Also, I believe there is a relay that controls the rising of the lights. I don't remember where it is located. Check the passenger and engine fuse blocks. It may be marked. If you find it try swapping it for another of the same time.
Did you connect the headlight that you repaired correctly, both electrically and mechanically? Is the linkage of the one you fixed in the same location as the other one?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton Alberta
I would check your headlight switch. Try wiggling it. Sometimes they go.
Also, I believe there is a relay that controls the rising of the lights. I don't remember where it is located. Check the passenger and engine fuse blocks. It may be marked. If you find it try swapping it for another of the same time.
Did you connect the headlight that you repaired correctly, both electrically and mechanically? Is the linkage of the one you fixed in the same location as the other one?
Also, I believe there is a relay that controls the rising of the lights. I don't remember where it is located. Check the passenger and engine fuse blocks. It may be marked. If you find it try swapping it for another of the same time.
Did you connect the headlight that you repaired correctly, both electrically and mechanically? Is the linkage of the one you fixed in the same location as the other one?
I'll check the relay next.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 3
From: tampa florida
I am having the same problem as well. I do notice with mine that if i manually turn the headlight motor just one click, then go back in the car and try to turn on the lights that it will work. However this is only a temporary fix, the motor gets locked at the bottom after a few hours.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111
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From: Edmonton Alberta
Relay 44 in the passenger footwell fuse box is for "Automatic Lamp Control Headlamps" what ever that is. 
I would double check that you connected tightly any electrical connectors that you disconnected during the gear replacement process.
Does your car have the twilight centennal feature? If yes, turn it off and try the lights.
I would double check that you connected tightly any electrical connectors that you disconnected during the gear replacement process.Does your car have the twilight centennal feature? If yes, turn it off and try the lights.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton Alberta
I am having the same problem as well. I do notice with mine that if i manually turn the headlight motor just one click, then go back in the car and try to turn on the lights that it will work. However this is only a temporary fix, the motor gets locked at the bottom after a few hours.
(Almost makes me want to go to the C6....JUST so I don't have this problem anymore.........)
Any more ideas??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111
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From: Edmonton Alberta
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Palmdale CA
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton Alberta
headlight problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton Alberta
Before you go springing for big $$$$ for replacement motors do a search on headlights won't come up or head lights won't pop up. There is a lot of reading and suggestions. One that might be worth pursueing is the headlight control module going bad. Another has to do with the metal replacement gear sets causing the motor to over torque on the down cycle causing them to stick down. ( makes some sense since you manually strted them up and they worked for one cycle.) There are suggestions on how to check for both problems and others as well. Several had exact descriptions of your problem. just my 2cents.
