Another Headlight Issue
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Fallbrook CA
Another Headlight Issue
When I turn on the headlights for the first time in any given day, they work. As soon as I drive the car anywhere, and try it after that, it's a crap shoot. Usually, one goes up fine the other stays down. Switch it again, maybe neither goes up, or the other side will go up with the first side staying down. There is no prolonged headlight motor noise, and when they respond there is no hesitation or labored movement up or down, they are quick and smooth. Now, when they don't pop up I've discovered that if I manually turn each headlight **** just enough to loosen it, and then back, then flip the switch, they always both work.
I know about the gear issues with these, but this sounds like something else. It does not seem to be binding at all.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I know about the gear issues with these, but this sounds like something else. It does not seem to be binding at all.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
If theres no noise it may be bad connections, headlamp modules or motors. PM me with your e mail and I'll send the troubleshooting guide. Its a table so its difficult to post it here. Best to work through the problem logically.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Fallbrook CA
Thanks for your help. PM'd
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 721
Likes: 2
From: Fort Worth TX
My driver side does that also. It seems like the turn screw worm thing goes down to far and is to tight for the motor to open them on the next try. I always have to pop the hood and turn the **** a little to loosen it. Then it works perfect and sometimes I get lucky when I try again but none the less it is annoying. Figured I need a new actuator.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
It's very difficult to diagnose by conventional methods it seems. Since the problem is sporadic, I haven't been able to chase it down easily. One of the biggest issues seeming to negate many of the possibilities above is that, if I loosen each side manually a quarter of a turn or so, and then back, they both will flip up guaranteed the next time.
Thanks for your help. PM'd
Thanks for your help. PM'd
Looks like you'll need to do the troubleshooting when you have the problem. Intermittent snags are always a pain to track down.
It sounds like a gear going bad again but you'd think you'd have some noise if the gear was slipping.
You have mail. There are a few connectors to clean and check.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Fallbrook CA
My driver side does that also. It seems like the turn screw worm thing goes down to far and is to tight for the motor to open them on the next try. I always have to pop the hood and turn the **** a little to loosen it. Then it works perfect and sometimes I get lucky when I try again but none the less it is annoying. Figured I need a new actuator.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Fallbrook CA
Looks like you'll need to do the troubleshooting when you have the problem. Intermittent snags are always a pain to track down.
It sounds like a gear going bad again but you'd think you'd have some noise if the gear was slipping.
You have mail. There are a few connectors to clean and check.
It sounds like a gear going bad again but you'd think you'd have some noise if the gear was slipping.
You have mail. There are a few connectors to clean and check.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Fallbrook CA
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Probably not the issue but easy to check.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Fallbrook CA
They're on the innner side of the light assembly near the motor arm linkage and it looks like a piece of white gum. It stops the headlight at the correct spot when closing. Compare the passenger and driver side headlights and it'll be obvious if its damaged.
Probably not the issue but easy to check.
Probably not the issue but easy to check.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 3
From: tampa florida
My driver side does that also. It seems like the turn screw worm thing goes down to far and is to tight for the motor to open them on the next try. I always have to pop the hood and turn the **** a little to loosen it. Then it works perfect and sometimes I get lucky when I try again but none the less it is annoying. Figured I need a new actuator.
I bought a new motor off of that auction site that was complete crap, returned it and am letting my credit card company deal with the seller who refuses to give a refund.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Fallbrook CA
I'm going to give them a thorough inspection shortly. That seems the most promising place to start given that we can both get it going by loosening the manual *****.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 347
From: SC
My driver side does that also. It seems like the turn screw worm thing goes down to far and is to tight for the motor to open them on the next try. I always have to pop the hood and turn the **** a little to loosen it. Then it works perfect and sometimes I get lucky when I try again but none the less it is annoying. Figured I need a new actuator.