I am having some troubles figuring out my drivers side headlight issue on my 2001 vette and wanted to ask for your guys/gals opinion if you didn't mind.

I took apart my headlight motor today and was going to install a new brass gear that I bought from Rodney Dickman's website only to find that my current OEM gear looked just fine and the rubber piece as well... I was a bit hesitant if that was the issue at first anyways since it was never making the typical grinding noise that you would usually get with a stripped gear.

Here is the symptom I have been experiencing: The driver's side headlight has been the only one acting up. It will intermittently not open, or close. When it is NOT opening/closing it doesn't seem to be making any abnormal noise. When it does open/close, sometimes it will open/close about half speed (slower) than it normally would... I am wondering if the motor might be going out since the issue has only occurred with one headlight. My thinking is if it's the headlight control module going out I would have weirder issues and likely a problem with both headlights, but I am not so sure.... QUESTION: If the headlight control module is going out has anyone ever heard of it only causing a problem with only one of the headlights intermittently not opening/closing or would that typically cause problems with both headlights?

Also, I may be making this up in my head, but I feel like for some reason when it is colder outside the issue occurs more frequently. That may just be a coincidence though, I am not sure... i.e.; most mornings it will not open. However later that evening when it is warmer outside it may actually open up. Plus I never had this issue before winter (just bought the car this summer).

I am tempted to pull the trigger on a new headlight motor but wanted to get someone else's opinion on whether they thought this sounds like more of an issue with the motor or the control module.

Thank you for your time! - Dave

 

WHOOPS< I meant to create this in the tech section, not general. Mod, please delete, I created a new one in tech. Sorry about that!

 

Sounds like a motor problem since it is worse in cold weather. The cold would put more strain on the motor.

 

I had the same issue as you are experiencing and it was the module. Which is a very easy fix and you will see once you pull it out and open it you will probably have moisture in it. Also replace the plastic pos gear with the brass one. Eventually it will take a dump on you and you already have it out so it's no loss. The are both cheap fixes

 

Did you have to replace the module or was it repairable?

 

That thing was shot there are some picks that show the insides and relays that can be replaced on this forum. I bought a new one a few years ago for 80 shipped or something like that. I believe the how to is somewhere around here. Ill search for you later if you don't find it. the module is on the pasenger side. Under the headlamp it's help on by 3 or 4 10mm screws. You can take the shroud off and stick your hand it there and unplug and unscrew or get it from the underside of teh car through that platics bottom piece.

 

Awesome, thanks for the info! Also just to confirm, you were only experiencing the issue with one headlight as well?

 

yes just one it was the passenger side and had the "sleepy" "droopy" look. Also you may want to check the tabs but when those go out teh headlight won't stay down since it doesn't hit the stop pads

 

Just an update: About a week and half ago I went with my instinct and tried replacing the motor first (well actually a refurbished motor from o'riely's) since it is cheaper then the module... (knock on wood) This appears to have fixed the issue for me. So far has been working great with the new motor!

 

sweet even better