Headlight Gear Near Term Problems?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 204
From: Calabash, NC
Headlight Gear Near Term Problems?
Did the 9012/9011 HIR bulb replacement mod earlier today. Very easy mod and a modest improvement in the light beam for the price (~$75 total). Can't complain on this part.
When I tried to manually raise the driver's side headlight I felt this "click" and now I have a brass gear on order to fix the problem. When I lower the lights the drive motor runs for a few seconds after the lights are closed.
Can I cause any further damage by using the lights like this until the new parts come in - or should I not drive the Vette in the dark until the gear is replaced.
Any insights would be helpful.
Thanks
When I tried to manually raise the driver's side headlight I felt this "click" and now I have a brass gear on order to fix the problem. When I lower the lights the drive motor runs for a few seconds after the lights are closed.
Can I cause any further damage by using the lights like this until the new parts come in - or should I not drive the Vette in the dark until the gear is replaced.
Any insights would be helpful.
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 233
From: Placitas NM
St. Jude Contributor '03 & '04
Sooner or later we all experience the 'plastic' gears stripping on the headlights. Since you have the manual **** to lower and raise the headlight just keep driving and pull the unit when you have the replacement.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 204
From: Calabash, NC
My problem is just the opposite - the lights go up and down electrically but manual does not work. When I closes the lights you hear the gear grinding for a few seconds. I'm worried about making things worse or is it as bad as it gets?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 13
From: Redding California
And as for causing further damage, the basic damage is already done, you could strip some more plastic teeth off the gear, but that won't actually cause any more real damage. Just install the brass gear-set and the problem is fixed for good.
.
Last edited by allred; Dec 14, 2014 at 09:46 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 204
From: Calabash, NC
Are you sure the manual mode doesn't work........you often have to turn the **** multiple times before you even get to see any initial movement of the headlight, then once it starts it moves with every turn of the ****.
And as for causing further damage, the basic damage is already done, you could strip some more plastic teeth off the gear, but that won't actually cause any more real damage. Just install the brass gear-set and the problem is fixed for good.
.
And as for causing further damage, the basic damage is already done, you could strip some more plastic teeth off the gear, but that won't actually cause any more real damage. Just install the brass gear-set and the problem is fixed for good.
.
Administrator
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Good luck getting the headlights fixed.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 167
Likes: 58
From: Willis TX
You might try putting a piece of stiff foam between the fender well and the part of the motor that has the manual **** on it. This may force better contact between the gears. I have done this as a temporary fix. Sorry I have not taken the time to learn to post pictures for a better explanation.
Also if you Google this phrase you will find a lot of useful information.
Common Headlight Gear Failures Brent Franker
Also if you Google this phrase you will find a lot of useful information.
Common Headlight Gear Failures Brent Franker
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 204
From: Calabash, NC
Quite a wealth of information on the website. Very valuable for anyone with headlight motor problems. I've attached the link for others to read.
http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/headl...htgearfailures
Don - Thanks for the help!
http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/headl...htgearfailures
Don - Thanks for the help!
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