Headlight retraction problem
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,995
Likes: 61
From: Fort Wayne IN
Headlight retraction problem
Hi All... new to Corvettes..... I've had my '99 for about 2 weeks and everytime I drive it it feels sooo good. 
Anyway, I've got my first problem and I'm hoping someone here can help me. My right headlight... it opens fine but when I close it, it closes ok but when it hits bottom it sounds like the motor keeps running and the gears grind for about 3-5 seconds then stops. The tech at the GM dealership looked at it (for free - nice guy) and thought it was a bad motor and most likely it would only get worse. I priced a new motor and they run about $250 - Yikes! 
Thanks in advance
Anyway, I've got my first problem and I'm hoping someone here can help me. My right headlight... it opens fine but when I close it, it closes ok but when it hits bottom it sounds like the motor keeps running and the gears grind for about 3-5 seconds then stops. The tech at the GM dealership looked at it (for free - nice guy) and thought it was a bad motor and most likely it would only get worse. I priced a new motor and they run about $250 - Yikes! Thanks in advance
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,876
Likes: 8
From: Las Vegas NV
St. Jude Donor '06 & '12
All it is, is the headlight gear. Its a plastic gear that eventually looses the teeth and starts to grind. Check with any one of our vendors. They sell a brass gear that will never wear out. It is only a couple bucks. You should be able to fix BOTH headlights for less than 50 bucks.
BTW, New headlight motor?? Thats complete
BTW, New headlight motor?? Thats complete
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,941
Likes: 6,743
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
No, not necessarily the gear (probably not from your description). It is likely the actuator that keeps on running on... about $350 installed at the "stealer."
Btw, a reason they don't come with bronze gears is that when/if the actuator goes out the metal gear works like a saw on the other gear. I'd NOT install the metal having had an actuator go.
All the best.
Btw, a reason they don't come with bronze gears is that when/if the actuator goes out the metal gear works like a saw on the other gear. I'd NOT install the metal having had an actuator go.
All the best.
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,876
Likes: 8
From: Las Vegas NV
St. Jude Donor '06 & '12
Originally Posted by Avanti
No, not necessarily the gear (probably not from your description). It is likely the actuator that keeps on running on... about $350 installed at the "stealer."
Btw, a reason they don't come with bronze gears is that when/if the actuator goes out the metal gear works like a saw on the other gear. I'd NOT install the metal having had an actuator go.
All the best.
Btw, a reason they don't come with bronze gears is that when/if the actuator goes out the metal gear works like a saw on the other gear. I'd NOT install the metal having had an actuator go.
All the best.
Plus, when you do a search under grinding headlight gear you get 31 matches. Most all of which are like this..
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...r&forum_id=103
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...r&forum_id=103
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...r&forum_id=103
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show..._id=103&arch=1
I could post about 20 more but I think you get the point
BTW, Its your gear.
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