Headlight not poppin up
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 76
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From: Newark Notts
Headlight not poppin up
Had the lights on tonight, switched them off after pulling into the drive through and the cog grinding noise came from the right-hand light,switched them back on and it didnt pop back up.
Is there somthing I can do to fix this? the light will still manually pop up but makes the same grinding noise when it goes back down and doesnt auto come up again.
Any ideas?
Cheers
Is there somthing I can do to fix this? the light will still manually pop up but makes the same grinding noise when it goes back down and doesnt auto come up again.
Any ideas?
Cheers
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 2
From: Bakersfield Ca
From what I have read before, it sounds like you have a stripped out gear in your headlight motor. There are repair kits available and I believe the new gears are brass so they won't wear out like the factory plastic ones do. Someone should join in that can give you more info on the parts, but good luck with the repair. I would suggest you do both motors at the same time. 
Team Owner
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I have all the info you need..including pics and a How-to DIY
send me a PM with your email address
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Bakersfield....still lovin that CD player I got from you
send me a PM with your email address
BTW...
Bakersfield....still lovin that CD player I got from you
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,894
Likes: 6
From: Sahuarita AZ
Here is a thread on this exact topic:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...5&forum_id=103
I've replaced these motors on the f-body I had before the y-body... it was a pain then and I've always wondered why the factory didn't install brass gears. Then again, the money is in the parts & service and not sales.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...5&forum_id=103
I've replaced these motors on the f-body I had before the y-body... it was a pain then and I've always wondered why the factory didn't install brass gears. Then again, the money is in the parts & service and not sales.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,894
Likes: 6
From: Sahuarita AZ
Just wanted to add this link for you:
http://www.rodneydickman.com/corvette.html
That is the person who makes the brass replacement gear.
http://www.rodneydickman.com/corvette.html
That is the person who makes the brass replacement gear.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 783
Likes: 0
From: Statesboro Ga
Originally Posted by l80ous
Had the lights on tonight, switched them off after pulling into the drive through and the cog grinding noise came from the right-hand light,switched them back on and it didnt pop back up.
Is there somthing I can do to fix this? the light will still manually pop up but makes the same grinding noise when it goes back down and doesnt auto come up again. Any ideas? Cheers
Is there somthing I can do to fix this? the light will still manually pop up but makes the same grinding noise when it goes back down and doesnt auto come up again. Any ideas? Cheers
I bought the gear replacement kit, and swapped out both headlight motors to the brass gears. It's very doable, but it can be a bit aggravating due to the location of the nuts and bolts holding the head light assembly in. You remove the assembly, remove the motor, then go thru a simple repair evolution.
I would recommend the guy from whom I bought my replacement kit since it was a better price by about $25 than Mid America and quick delivery. But since he's not a Forum supporting vendor, I don't think the protocol desires that I post his info here. Send me an e-mail and I'll give you his info. I'm working nightshift, so I won't be able to respond until Friday evening/night. I know after I started hearing the gear grinding from the headlight, I lasted about a week before I started having head light pop up problems. But the wait was due to ordering and then having a chance to install.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville GA
May I add I'm having a similar problem. Both my head lamps still operate, but the right one continues to operate 2 seconds beyond the point it needs to with an obvious mechanical clicking noise...is this a precursor to gear failure? Or do I have some sort of electrical problem causing the motor to operate too long?
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 201
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From: Mineola Texas
redragtop, im having the same issue. the lights go up and down fine, but the passenger side makes a loud grinding noise for several seconds after it is lowered. let me know if you find a solution and ill do the same.......
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,650
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From: Bakersfield Ca
redragtop and Majestic43, I used to have a Pontiac Firebird that had the same pop up lights our corvettes and the motor running and funny noises were always precursor to mine failing. 
I didn't have the wisdom of this forum previously, so I bought replacements motors from junk yards 
and they would last about a year or so and go out again. So I would suggest you go ahead and replace the gears before it is too late. This forum is great.
I didn't have the wisdom of this forum previously, so I bought replacements motors from junk yards and they would last about a year or so and go out again. So I would suggest you go ahead and replace the gears before it is too late. This forum is great.
MONARTOR
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did my passenger side with the brass gear kit last night..world of difference..I love how the instructions say to do one side at a time, for reference and the sealant package says it cures in 3 -5 minutes.. now I gotta find some more sealant for the pilots side
now I gotta find some more sealant for the pilots side
