Pop up headlights don't
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Denton Texas
Pop up headlights don't
I hadn't driven my '01 vert for a while and the battery had died. I charged it and it started right up. Except, my headlights did not pop up. The lights came on but they were not visible. I've heard of this problem here from other owners. What do I need to do ? I know I can get good advice here. Thanks. Joe
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 8
From: Hopatcong New Jersey
Could be a few possible things.
Multi-function switch...headlight motor fuses....headlight motor gears....grounds.
First thing I would do is inspect/clean ground 102.
From there I would get a voltmeter and start troubleshooting the circuit.
Multi-function switch...headlight motor fuses....headlight motor gears....grounds.
First thing I would do is inspect/clean ground 102.
From there I would get a voltmeter and start troubleshooting the circuit.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 606
Likes: 18
From: burke va
I had the exact same problem you are having and after changing the multi-function switch (turn signal lever) and the headlight module with no results, I bent the pins slightly on the connections on the headlight module and then they worked fine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 347
From: SC
I recently had issues with my headlights not opening. It would 2-3 tries with the switch. After researching on the forum, I checked the battery cables. While they weren't real loose, I did tighten them a couple turns. Well, coincidence or not, I haven't had any issues since. I also was getting "service active handling" message occaionally when making a hard turn out of my garage, and haven't seen that since either. Since you just changed your battery, it might be worth a shot.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 123
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From: Denton Texas
Thanks. I jumped my battery again. Vert started right up and while I was disconnecting the cables, I noticed my headlights were on and up. I drove about 20 miles on the Interstate to "charge" my battery and when I tried the next morning, nothing. do I havae a bad battery ? Alternator ? Anyway, the good news, my headlight problem seems to have gone away. At least for now. Of course my car won't start.
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Thanks. I jumped my battery again. Vert started right up and while I was disconnecting the cables, I noticed my headlights were on and up. I drove about 20 miles on the Interstate to "charge" my battery and when I tried the next morning, nothing. do I havae a bad battery ? Alternator ? Anyway, the good news, my headlight problem seems to have gone away. At least for now. Of course my car won't start.
The C5 features are all electrically connected, so lack of voltage could have subsequent impact on various components.
Last edited by MSG C5; Oct 8, 2012 at 01:00 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 9
From: McCall Idaho
^^^My guess would be that a new (or fully charged) battery (and checking grounds and torquing the terminals to 11 lbs) would get you to the point where you'd know whether or not the light was in fact acting up.
Any other electrical issues/weirdness...?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Thanks. I jumped my battery again. Vert started right up and while I was disconnecting the cables, I noticed my headlights were on and up. I drove about 20 miles on the Interstate to "charge" my battery and when I tried the next morning, nothing. do I havae a bad battery ? Alternator ? Anyway, the good news, my headlight problem seems to have gone away. At least for now. Of course my car won't start.
Why not check both at an auto parts store and correct the problem?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 37
From: Everett WA
St. Jude Donor '14
I have a 2002 daily driver. I was having this porblem but only once in a while. I took the connectors apart and sprayed contact cleaner in both ends dried it with compressed air and pluged it back in and has worked every time since
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
Thanks. I jumped my battery again. Vert started right up and while I was disconnecting the cables, I noticed my headlights were on and up. I drove about 20 miles on the Interstate to "charge" my battery and when I tried the next morning, nothing. do I havae a bad battery ? Alternator ? Anyway, the good news, my headlight problem seems to have gone away. At least for now. Of course my car won't start.
Use a battery charger to charge it. Check cells with a hydrometer, they are cheap and easy to use.
With it running, check your voltage with a DMM or your dash voltmeter gauge, you should see 14+ volts to know your alternator is trying to charge it.
A fully charged battery with the motor not running should be well over 12 volts.
An easy diagnosis, just process of elimination if it is cables, battery or alternator.
If you do not do your own work, a shop will tell you what is wrong in 10 minutes. They can also load test the battery.