"sticky" C5 headlight
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Enid OK
"sticky" C5 headlight
Just recently purchased a used 2001 C5. Prior owner "almost never" drove it at night. Thus, "almost never" turned on headlights. When showing me the car, turned on lights and drivers side light wouldn't raise. opened hood, removed rubber cover and raised it manually no more than a 1/4 of an inch, then turn the lights on and it worked fine multiple times. Until the next day; then stuck again. Every time it sits for some length of time, have to manually get it started; then works repeatedly OK. Last evening, went for a drive. Got it going before leaving house. Drove probably 80 miles; turning lights on and off multiple times; maybe 20.
This morning, turned the lights on and both raised. Too early to claim victory. Have seen threads about replacing motor gears and entire motor. This doesn't sound like a gear problem. When working it works fine. More like needing a new motor. Or maybe it was just stuck and could use some lubrication somewhere. Ideas??????
This morning, turned the lights on and both raised. Too early to claim victory. Have seen threads about replacing motor gears and entire motor. This doesn't sound like a gear problem. When working it works fine. More like needing a new motor. Or maybe it was just stuck and could use some lubrication somewhere. Ideas??????
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 525
Likes: 21
Congrats on the recent purchase...I would lube all the moving parts and see if that helps. There may be a dead spot in the headlight motor from it sitting in one spot and never moving. I would lube up the moving parts and keep doing what you are doing (turning lights on and off several times while driving) and hope it takes care of the problem. Making the motor move may get rid of the corrosion or whatever is causing the dead spot on the motor. If that doesn't take care of the problem, sounds like a motor to me. I agree it isn't the gears.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
That was my issue. My driver's side had issues not raising up and it turned out the bump stops were squished. Flipping them around 180 degrees resolved the issue.
Rodney Dickman makes really good aftermarket replacements that I'll likely be purchasing in the near future.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 151
While we are on the subject of lights, I need some advice here.
When I just want the fogs on (around twilight) up until about a monthe ago the fogs would light without the headlight doors being raised.
Now, if I turn the lever just to light the fogs, the headlight doors open, but the headlights are off.
The fogs light like they should, but if I don't want the doors raised, I have to shut the lights off completely.
Never use to be this way, but it seems I can no longer have just the fogs without the headlight doors being raised, even though the headlights aren't lit at the same time.
Once I shut the lights off,and the doors retract , I can turn on the headlights, they work perfectly, and the fogs are on at the same time,but if I just want the fog on,that doesn't happen without the doors being raised.
Any ideas what could be happening?
Thanks,
Bob.
When I just want the fogs on (around twilight) up until about a monthe ago the fogs would light without the headlight doors being raised.
Now, if I turn the lever just to light the fogs, the headlight doors open, but the headlights are off.
The fogs light like they should, but if I don't want the doors raised, I have to shut the lights off completely.
Never use to be this way, but it seems I can no longer have just the fogs without the headlight doors being raised, even though the headlights aren't lit at the same time.
Once I shut the lights off,and the doors retract , I can turn on the headlights, they work perfectly, and the fogs are on at the same time,but if I just want the fog on,that doesn't happen without the doors being raised.
Any ideas what could be happening?
Thanks,
Bob.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
Yes.
Assuming that you have not changed any functions via the DIC then the column multi-function switch (literally, the headlight switch) is having issues. This is well-documented where age will wear out the contacts in the switch and cause the headlights and associated functions to operate in strange manners suddenly.
Assuming that you have not changed any functions via the DIC then the column multi-function switch (literally, the headlight switch) is having issues. This is well-documented where age will wear out the contacts in the switch and cause the headlights and associated functions to operate in strange manners suddenly.
