C5 Headlights
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Stn Mtn GA
C5 Headlights
Someone tell me why GM thought ANYTHING about the popup headlights were a good idea?
Between broken/stripped motor gears to horrible output to broken/seized alignment gears, i'm ready to buy a C6...
seriously. my headlights are focused probably 15ft in front of the car and now i cant fix it
Between broken/stripped motor gears to horrible output to broken/seized alignment gears, i'm ready to buy a C6...
seriously. my headlights are focused probably 15ft in front of the car and now i cant fix it
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,365
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From: Vancouver BC
Never had any problems...and the gears can be replaced with brass ones. I personally love the pop-up headlight look. Too bad they have disappeared. They used to be a key component of every serious sports car and gave the car a very sleek look. Why don't you go with some fixed headlights like the Depo ones if you don't like them? Indy
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Stn Mtn GA
Never had any problems...and the gears can be replaced with brass ones. I personally love the pop-up headlight look. Too bad they have disappeared. They used to be a key component of every serious sports car and gave the car a very sleek look. Why don't you go with some fixed headlights like the Depo ones if you don't like them? Indy
if switching the headlights on and off 18 times doesnt get them to pop up, i have to open the hood and manually loosen the motor to get the lights to come up
and the fixed headlights look like frog eyes
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From: Stn Mtn GA
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From: Moulton Alabama
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My passenger side headlight stripped the plastic gear. Since the motor only rotates 90 degrees to fully open, I simply unhooked the linkage, rotated motor 90 degrees and hooked back together. Only 96,000 miles on plastic gear!!! If it will last 96,000 more on this half of the plastic gear, I may put in brass for longevity!!! Damn cheap plastic!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Liberty Hill Texas
He is also building (think there is a GP currently running) some non pop-up for the C5. And they don't stick up past the hood/fender line. Some thing to consider - no matter how expensive they are - they will be cheaper then a C6. 
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
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From: Middletown, DE
Pop-ups answer a question that no longer needs to be asked. They do, however, look better than the frog-eye kits. Nice flush ones like the Breathless Performance set up look pretty cool -- but they are $$$$ and I understand a bit fragile...
Tech Contributor
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
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There's a side benefit to the pop-ups that I'm sure GM didn't take into account when they designed them though, in these days of LIDAR guns, they can't lock onto headlamps that aren't up!
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I love the stealth look of pop ups, however I have not had any mechanical problems with them (yet). If I do run into problems, I plan to get the brass components.
I would also suggest that you get a set of HID fog lights. The 4300 temp is bright enough to light the road without the pop ups.
I would also suggest that you get a set of HID fog lights. The 4300 temp is bright enough to light the road without the pop ups.
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I like the hidden headlight look also, and I have not had any problems with the headlights on either of the three C5s or four C4s that I owned. I guess if I ever do have problems with the gears, my opinion might just change.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
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From: Hillsboro Oregon
The Light Cannons from TheRadioFlyer replaces the OEM adjustment hardware.
The ACAs do not, they use the same mounting and adjustment hardware, only the entire headlight capsule is replaced.
But with a bit of shopping you can find replacement parts to replace your adjustment rods and/or gears.......many have. Just post a WTB in the For Sale section and look on eBay. These items will last a long time IF they are lubed where the gears mesh
Either way, a lot less $$ than a C6
The ACAs do not, they use the same mounting and adjustment hardware, only the entire headlight capsule is replaced.
But with a bit of shopping you can find replacement parts to replace your adjustment rods and/or gears.......many have. Just post a WTB in the For Sale section and look on eBay. These items will last a long time IF they are lubed where the gears mesh
Either way, a lot less $$ than a C6
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
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From: Hillsboro Oregon
Sounds like either you have a bad headlight motor or the motor wasn't installed correctly after the gear was replaced
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Taildragers rule! USA1
Someone tell me why GM thought ANYTHING about the popup headlights were a good idea?
Between broken/stripped motor gears to horrible output to broken/seized alignment gears, i'm ready to buy a C6...
seriously. my headlights are focused probably 15ft in front of the car and now i cant fix it
Between broken/stripped motor gears to horrible output to broken/seized alignment gears, i'm ready to buy a C6...
seriously. my headlights are focused probably 15ft in front of the car and now i cant fix it
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,793
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From: Santa Maria Ca.
I just installed a HID kit from JW Motoring(excellent),so I had to adjust both of mine.
Of course,all 4 adjusters were frozen(no corrosion,just hadn't been moved for years).
I put a few drops of oil on each one,let it soak in for a few minutes,worked them back and forth a little,
till the oil got where it needed to go,and now they all work smooth as butter.
A little oil,and a little patience is all it takes-if you rush it,something's gonna break.
And when the motor gears wear out,I'll get brass ones-
nothing lasts forever.
Except maybe the classic looks of a C5 Vette with popup headlights!
Of course,all 4 adjusters were frozen(no corrosion,just hadn't been moved for years).
I put a few drops of oil on each one,let it soak in for a few minutes,worked them back and forth a little,
till the oil got where it needed to go,and now they all work smooth as butter.
A little oil,and a little patience is all it takes-if you rush it,something's gonna break.
And when the motor gears wear out,I'll get brass ones-
nothing lasts forever.
Except maybe the classic looks of a C5 Vette with popup headlights!