Headlight motor operation tip
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
Headlight motor operation tip
This tip is for the novice DIY folks (that’s me) since seasoned ones probably know to do this. If one of your headlights does not open and that motor fuse is OK, before doing anything further such as replace the motor, replace the MFS, replace the headlight control module, go to the headlight power connector (located below the manual headlight ****) and make sure the male/female connectors are tight. Yesterday after returning home in the C5, I ‘exercised,’ the headlight motors (do not drive the C5 at night) and the right one did not open. Since that motor was replaced in 2020 because of gear crunching noise, the next thought was the MFS. After switching the headlights on/off several times and finding the fuse OK, I went to the headlight power connector. I made sure all the connectors were tight. That was the problem. Both are working now. 
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
Open Hood, on both sides where the headlights are, you will see a circular ****. Here is the info from my owners manual about the purpose of the ****.
"You can open the doors manually using the ****
next to the headlamp assembly. Turn the ****
counterclockwise until the doors are open. Turn the
**** clockwise to close the doors manually."
Right below the circular **** is the power connectors.
If you cannot find them, send me a PM and I will snap a pic.
"You can open the doors manually using the ****
next to the headlamp assembly. Turn the ****
counterclockwise until the doors are open. Turn the
**** clockwise to close the doors manually."
Right below the circular **** is the power connectors.
If you cannot find them, send me a PM and I will snap a pic.
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 71
Likes: 21
From: Ocean Park, Washington
I serviced the Headlight Control Module as well. I had a previous C5 that needed both the HCM and the pigtail of the electrical harness replaced due to heavy corrosion. I suspect that water during washing, at least, made its way under the front bumper and rested there as it gradually ate the metal away. I looked for a possible leak, or at lest signs of water, and didn't see any. But a guy can sure pull the harness loose and coat the joining areas with dielectric grease. I have a hood seal for that front lip near the radiator, but I am really not seeing water getting in that area, even without it. I don't own the previous C5 but suspect that the damage was due to heavy rains and a very humid environment earlier in its life.
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Great that you were able to get it to work without having to throw a bunch of parts at the car or take it to a repair shop.
