Headlight Issue
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
Headlight Issue
Hey guys, I have a headlight question(s). Yesterday when I started my 2000 coupe in my garage, the headlights automatically came on since the garage is dark (as usual). However, I noticed the driver's side did not pop up at all, just the passenger's side. So as I drove the car I turned on the headlights to see what would happen. Both lights came up fine, then when I turned them off, they flipped down and the driver's side light made a HORRIBLE sound after it was already down. I tried it again later with the same result. Is the headlight motor going bad on the driver's side and is it easy to fix? Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
The headlight gears are plastic, It sounds like you need to rebuild it using a brass gear.
Here is a site that sells a good rebuild kit.
Mr.Bill
http://www.rodneydickman.com/corvette.html
Here is a site that sells a good rebuild kit.
Mr.Bill
http://www.rodneydickman.com/corvette.html
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: The Sunshine State
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What he said ^^^^
Here's another great write up. Do it right and do it once!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...orialized.html
Here's another great write up. Do it right and do it once!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...orialized.html
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
You may want to consider turning off Twilight Sentinel in Options on the DIC. That bit about the lights turning on automatically can be shut off. Saves wear and tear on the gears. Just a thought. Good luck
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,744
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From: The Sunshine State
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
I've never liked that function even on my cars with non, pop-up headlights. Probably used it as much as the cruise control. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,449
Likes: 343
From: SC
What he said ^^^^
Here's another great write up. Do it right and do it once!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...orialized.html
Here's another great write up. Do it right and do it once!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...orialized.html
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Flower Mound TX
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Except a little less time for me to repair the motor (about an hour). Easy fix, just take your time. Any DIY'er can take this one on. It was actually very gratifying to know that I fixed my light after months of that terrible grinding!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 1
From: Foresters Falls(near Ottawa) Ont
If the stripped plastic gear is replaced with a metal gear, what will give if the headlight door was say frozen closed? Not that I drive my car in the winter, but what if?
GM must have used a plastic gear for a reason. Weakest link in a chain sort of thing? That gear would be cheaper to replace than a new motor armature shaft.
RonJ ...
GM must have used a plastic gear for a reason. Weakest link in a chain sort of thing? That gear would be cheaper to replace than a new motor armature shaft.
RonJ ...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,718
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From: Flower Mound TX
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
If the stripped plastic gear is replaced with a metal gear, what will give if the headlight door was say frozen closed? Not that I drive my car in the winter, but what if?
GM must have used a plastic gear for a reason. Weakest link in a chain sort of thing? That gear would be cheaper to replace than a new motor armature shaft.
RonJ ...
GM must have used a plastic gear for a reason. Weakest link in a chain sort of thing? That gear would be cheaper to replace than a new motor armature shaft.
RonJ ...
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
Good point...but I dont think it applies.
The way it works now (with either brass or oem plastic gears) is that the motor runs until the headlight hits the stop at which point the increased resistance is read and the motor shuts off. No matter what gears you had in there, dead stop = motor shuts off.
But....good thinking
The way it works now (with either brass or oem plastic gears) is that the motor runs until the headlight hits the stop at which point the increased resistance is read and the motor shuts off. No matter what gears you had in there, dead stop = motor shuts off.
But....good thinking
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,449
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From: SC
Another thing to check when you have the motor out, make sure the metal housing is secured tight to the plastic gear case. There are four metal "fingers" holding it to the gear case. Mine was loose causing the gear and worm drive to mesh loosely. I don't know if this is the cause of the gear wearing, but you can tap the fingers with a nail set or such to tighten it.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 33
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Chicago1, thank you for your arrogant, egotistical reply. It is easy to see why you are a senior member with your perfect assessment of my question. Maybe you should have read my entire question before you made your sarcastic, ignorant reply. I never asked how much it cost, I simply asked how much time it would take to complete the fix and the more helpful people of the forum were more than happy to graciously reply. It's people like you that ruin forums like this. To everyone else, thank you for your helpful advice. I appreciate it.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Chicago1, thank you for your arrogant, egotistical reply. It is easy to see why you are a senior member with your perfect assessment of my question. Maybe you should have read my entire question before you made your sarcastic, ignorant reply. I never asked how much it cost, I simply asked how much time it would take to complete the fix and the more helpful people of the forum were more than happy to graciously reply. It's people like you that ruin forums like this. To everyone else, thank you for your helpful advice. I appreciate it.
Not sure what Chicago was talking about and I don't think he knows...
