C5 running light problem
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Orange County CA
C5 running light problem
My lights have developed a problem on my 2002 coupe. When I turn my running lights on, the headlight assemblies pop-up. Has this problem been discussed on this forum? If so, could you direct me to the thread. Thanks. Alan
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I thought that was normal. Turn them all the way on, then back to parking only, I think they are supposed to go down. I normally never drove mine that way so its hard for me to state this as fact. If they changed their behavior, most likely your headlamp switch is starting to have issues.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
You have a bad headlight gear. Replace it with BFranker or Rodney Dickman. BFranker's gear is all metal, but Rodney has a bracket for your all plastic gearbox. I went with Rodney Dickman's.
Mine did this when I had a bad gear, after I replaced it, they worked normally.
It has to do with the headlight module. This "black electrical box" senses the current draw from the headlight motors, when they hit the up or down stop the current spikes and it cuts off the current, stopping the motors.
Now, when you have a stripped gear, the motor keeps turning and the current doesn't spike. The headlight module must have some sort of "time limit" built into it, this then turns off the motors.
But, when the "timing circuit" turns off the motors, something gets "out of wack" (very technical here) and odd things can start happening. One of those, is the headlights coming up when just the parking lights are turned on.
Mine did this when I had a bad gear, after I replaced it, they worked normally.
It has to do with the headlight module. This "black electrical box" senses the current draw from the headlight motors, when they hit the up or down stop the current spikes and it cuts off the current, stopping the motors.
Now, when you have a stripped gear, the motor keeps turning and the current doesn't spike. The headlight module must have some sort of "time limit" built into it, this then turns off the motors.
But, when the "timing circuit" turns off the motors, something gets "out of wack" (very technical here) and odd things can start happening. One of those, is the headlights coming up when just the parking lights are turned on.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Orange County CA
Thanks Oldvetter. You are right, my RH headlight motor gear did strip just before this problem started. I still need to fix it, and have read all the traffic regarding that on this forum.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,361
Likes: 51
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
You have a bad headlight gear. Replace it with BFranker or Rodney Dickman. BFranker's gear is all metal, but Rodney has a bracket for your all plastic gearbox. I went with Rodney Dickman's.
Mine did this when I had a bad gear, after I replaced it, they worked normally.
It has to do with the headlight module. This "black electrical box" senses the current draw from the headlight motors, when they hit the up or down stop the current spikes and it cuts off the current, stopping the motors.
Now, when you have a stripped gear, the motor keeps turning and the current doesn't spike. The headlight module must have some sort of "time limit" built into it, this then turns off the motors.
But, when the "timing circuit" turns off the motors, something gets "out of wack" (very technical here) and odd things can start happening. One of those, is the headlights coming up when just the parking lights are turned on.
Mine did this when I had a bad gear, after I replaced it, they worked normally.
It has to do with the headlight module. This "black electrical box" senses the current draw from the headlight motors, when they hit the up or down stop the current spikes and it cuts off the current, stopping the motors.
Now, when you have a stripped gear, the motor keeps turning and the current doesn't spike. The headlight module must have some sort of "time limit" built into it, this then turns off the motors.
But, when the "timing circuit" turns off the motors, something gets "out of wack" (very technical here) and odd things can start happening. One of those, is the headlights coming up when just the parking lights are turned on.
Had exact same problem and it was fixed! 
