Went to pull the Vette out the other day, and the twilight sentinel turned the lights on because I was in the garage, as usual. But, this time, the driver's side light did not flip up.

The lights turn on, but I don't hear the motor running.

The passenger side light turns on and raises and lowers as expected.

When I tried to turn the **** on the motor to manually raise the headlight, it was very loose, and the **** came off. (Not the rubber boot, that isn't there on the driver's side, but is there on the passenger side..) I've never manually raised the lights, so I don't know if I'm doing it right. I tried to raise the passenger side light too, and when I turned the **** clockwise, it was tight for a turn, then there was a pop and it was loose. After that, when I turned the lights on, the passenger side wouldn't raise. I messed with the passenger side **** a bit to get it tight again, but not turning it far enough for it to pop, and the passenger side then began raising and lowering as expected when I turn the lights on and off.

So, is this a bad motor on the driver's side?

I've been doing some research, and read that it could be a low voltage battery or maybe a blown fuse. The driver's side does not function while the engine is running, and that's leading me to believe it's not a voltage issue? I'm getting 13.9-14.0 on the volt readout with the engine running. I did recently add the PAWG iPod cable to the rear CD changer harness. I tried disconnecting that, but it made no difference.

What fuse would I be looking for that might be blown?

Also, how do I go about replacing the motor without being able to manually raise the driver's side headlight, if that is the issue?

Any other advice as far as diagnosing what the problem is?

Thanks in advance!

 

The first thing I did when I bought mine was turn the Twilight sentinel off. Having an accessory that automatically wears out the headlight mechanism didn't really seem like a good idea.
Good luck in repairing it. There are a bunch of guys here that can help you with it. I am not one of them.

 

Im starting to think that this Twilight Feature wasnt availible on Z06's?

 

I am quite sure it was not an RPO option on the C5 Z06. It can be added like fog lights and TPM sensors. Just need the hardware and a Tech 2. The light sensor on the dash in this case.

 

Im pretty sure I have that light sensor on my Dash already though Unless its something that just looks like a sensor. Weird

 

Turning off the twilight sentinel is good advice. Especially since I rarely take the Vette out at night.. Will do that on my lunch break!

I don't hear the driver's side motor running, which leads me to believe it's an electrical issue or motor failure, rather than the gears. If it was the gears, wouldn't I hear them grinding? Hmm, maybe not if they are completely jammed and that is disabling the motor though, eh?

I found replacement motors on RockAuto for ~$100 for refurb, and $200 for AC Delco new, FWIW.

Thanks for the info on the fuses 8VETTE7!

 

Tough call, mine went south I tried a gear but didn't do the job. Bought 2 NOS fresh motors and had the pro's install..about 5 bills.

 

funnyguy, you would be well advised, as per 8Vette7, to purchase two brass gear kits from Rodney Dickman

http://rodneydickman.com/catalog/pro...products_id=92

These are $45.75 each/$91.95 a pair, and have brass gears as well as an additional metal brace plate modification.

I'm not sure but am pretty certain that the Rockauto and AC Delco items you speak of still contain the nylon gears, and will fail in a very short time.

Changing the gears is not a difficult job, the passenger side is a little easier than the driver's side if you are right handed simply because the bolts are a little easier to undo/tighten, but neither side is difficult. The gear kits from Rodney Dickman come with easy to understand step-by-step instructions. Each side takes approx 45 minutes.

There are two different types of motors, 97-99/early2000 and late2000-2004. Pictures of both for recognition purposes are on the Rodney Dickman site.

You may also want to inspect the plastic headlight "stop bumps". There are four per headlight and they wear quickly, although you can turn them over for extra life. Rodney Dickman has them at $11.00 per set of four, $20.00 per set of eight.

http://rodneydickman.com/catalog/pro...roducts_id=309


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As mentioned above, get a kit like this one (pay attention because there are 2 different kits: one for "97 to early 2000" and another for "late 2000 to 2004") and follow these step-by-step directions. You'll save money and they will last forever

You might need these as well.

There is a TSB, that calls for shimming the driver's side motor. The parts needed for this are included in the above mentioned kit.

 

There is a Sun Heat Load Sensor on the right of the defroster vent and the Light Sensor on the left side.

 

I agree. But there is a benifit to it other then being annoying and making headlight motors wear before they are supposed to. Thats troubleshooting/diagnostic. I wish I had the option at this point just for that!

 

Good advice. I turned mine off also. In fact anything auto I turned off.

 

I just rebuilt mine Monday with a new gear and they work like new. You can buy the whole motor for around 150 bucks or spend 80 bucks and get the kit to rebuild both of them. They are pretty easy to fix.

If you need some help pm me.

 

I'm with you. They could have made these cars cheaper and a lot more trouble free had GM kept things simple.