Problem with my Headlights - Need Advice
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse New York
Problem with my Headlights - Need Advice
So I recently purchased a 02 Coupe and have only one issue with the car. it runs perfectly fine and smooth. The only issue is the headlights are not synchronized and dont work properly. First off when switching to accessory the fog lights dont come on but the lights flip up. Sometimes only one will flip up, and when you flip the switch off the other light pops up and the other one goes down. My vette is confused. And when i turn it off you can hear a grinding noise where the light is for a good 5-10 seconds. Any advice please let me know.
Thanks,
Joe
Thanks,
Joe
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 4
From: Warrenville Il
As far as your headlight being possessed I don't know. As far as the grinding noise, you probably have a slightly stripped motor gear, and will need the gear to be replaced. Do both sides because he other will soon go as well. Go with the brass style versus the oem plastic. The bad gear shouldn't have anything to do with your fog/headlight flip flop. This could be in the turnsignal lever, but one of the other pros will have to chime in. I also assume that the reason only one of the headlights pops up is also due to the bad gear.
Last edited by MG RED 99; May 12, 2010 at 10:52 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
You have a stripped headlight gear Joe. Those are classic symptoms.
Run down to the headlight gear section of this sticky and it'll tell you all you need to know. I went with Rodney Dickman's kit. He designed a nice little bracket that fixes the headlight motor case back together.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ngths-etc.html
I had one go early on and the dealer replaced the gear under warranty. So far so good and I've not had any more problems. I disabled the automatic function (twilight sentinel) so I only use the lights when I need them. I also have Euro headlights which are heavier than stock so I'm expecting a failure at some stage. I have two brass gears ready to go in at any sign of trouble.
Those who have done the fix say the first one is hardest and the second one would be easier with the practice. You might want to bite the bullet and do both at the same time.
Last edited by DeeGee; May 13, 2010 at 12:49 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse New York
You have a stripped headlight gear Joe. Those are classic symptoms.
Run down to the headlight gear section of this sticky and it'll tell you all you need to know. I went with Rodney Dickman's kit. He designed a nice little bracket that fixes the headlight motor case back together.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ngths-etc.html
I had one go early on and the dealer replaced the gear under warranty. So far so good and I've not had any more problems. I disabled the automatic function (twilight sentinel) so I only use the lights when I need them. I also have Euro headlights which are heavier than stock so I'm expecting a failure at some stage. I have two brass gears ready to go in at any sign of trouble.
Those who have done the fix say the first one is hardest and the second one would be easier with the practice. You might want to bite the bullet and do both at the same time.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
We often see associated problems here. Replace the gears and see what you have. I'd bet you'll fix all the problems with the gears. If not, we can troubleshoot the others.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 502
From: Rio Rancho NM
When I replaced my gears I had the same synchro issue. What solved mine was I turned the headlights on so one was up the other down. I manully turned the **** on the headlight motor that was in the down position to the up position. I went and cycled the heallight switch inside the car and bamn they got synschored up.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 4
From: Warrenville Il
When I replaced my gears I had the same synchro issue. What solved mine was I turned the headlights on so one was up the other down. I manully turned the **** on the headlight motor that was in the down position to the up position. I went and cycled the heallight switch inside the car and bamn they got synschored up.
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