Weird headlight problem....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 380
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St. Jude Donor '08
Weird headlight problem....
So I changed my headlight gears about 2 months ago. Everything worked lovely, then yesterday it seemed like my drivers side headlight was just a smidgen too high when they were down, I thought nothing of it, till I got in the car and the light seemed to pause on its way up. I flicked them off and on a couple times and all of a sudden they reversed themseleves!
Turn it on the pasenger side is up and on, drivers is down and on, off and the drivers is up and off and passenger is down and off. I unplugged the drivers light, turned thr switch on and then plugged it back in and operation is normal again... Anyone know WTH happened???
Turn it on the pasenger side is up and on, drivers is down and on, off and the drivers is up and off and passenger is down and off. I unplugged the drivers light, turned thr switch on and then plugged it back in and operation is normal again... Anyone know WTH happened???
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,394
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
Pretty sure that this is your problem as I have spent far too many hours messing with my headlights.
One of the yellowish plastic stops has worn enough and/or slipped off and is allowing the arm to pivot around the entire rotation as opposed to being stopped by one of the two plastic stops.
The bad news: in order to get replacement yellowish plastic stops you need to order a new assembly from GM. Far too much cash IMO.
The good news: There are several other matching bits located in the back of the headlight assembly that you can swap into the location that is failing you. It is what I did just last week when my drivers side light would repop up after being turned off.
The motors' casing could be cracked and slipping as well as I ran into that problem myself. Took a couple tries with some different epoxy. But usually the "reverse" problem stems from the lack of stops for the actuator arm. Or stops that are worn out.
G'luck
Fej
One of the yellowish plastic stops has worn enough and/or slipped off and is allowing the arm to pivot around the entire rotation as opposed to being stopped by one of the two plastic stops.
The bad news: in order to get replacement yellowish plastic stops you need to order a new assembly from GM. Far too much cash IMO.
The good news: There are several other matching bits located in the back of the headlight assembly that you can swap into the location that is failing you. It is what I did just last week when my drivers side light would repop up after being turned off.
The motors' casing could be cracked and slipping as well as I ran into that problem myself. Took a couple tries with some different epoxy. But usually the "reverse" problem stems from the lack of stops for the actuator arm. Or stops that are worn out.
G'luck
Fej
Last edited by fej; Jul 23, 2006 at 03:51 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by fej
Pretty sure that this is your problem as I have spent far too many hours messing with my headlights.
One of the yellowish plastic stops has worn enough and/or slipped off and is allowing the arm to pivot around the entire rotation as opposed to being stopped by one of the two plastic stops.
The bad news: in order to get replacement yellowish plastic stops you need to order a new assembly from GM. Far too much cash IMO.
The good news: There are several other matching bits located in the back of the headlight assembly that you can swap into the location that is failing you. It is what I did just last week when my drivers side light would repop up after being turned off.
The motors' casing could be cracked and slipping as well as I ran into that problem myself. Took a couple tries with some different epoxy. But usually the "reverse" problem stems from the lack of stops for the actuator arm. Or stops that are worn out.
G'luck
Fej
One of the yellowish plastic stops has worn enough and/or slipped off and is allowing the arm to pivot around the entire rotation as opposed to being stopped by one of the two plastic stops.
The bad news: in order to get replacement yellowish plastic stops you need to order a new assembly from GM. Far too much cash IMO.
The good news: There are several other matching bits located in the back of the headlight assembly that you can swap into the location that is failing you. It is what I did just last week when my drivers side light would repop up after being turned off.
The motors' casing could be cracked and slipping as well as I ran into that problem myself. Took a couple tries with some different epoxy. But usually the "reverse" problem stems from the lack of stops for the actuator arm. Or stops that are worn out.
G'luck
Fej
Thanks for the response, I doubt I have slipping gears since I just installed brand new brass ones. I'll have to check the stops....
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Va
There is a service bulletin on your year for this problem. You need to a add a washer to the drivers side light on the inside. This will keep them in synch. Go to the link below
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=252
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=252
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 380
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St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by quiettrader
There is a service bulletin on your year for this problem. You need to a add a washer to the drivers side light on the inside. This will keep them in synch. Go to the link below
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=252
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=252
BTW the hits keep coming as while I had it apart I saw the passenger side gear cover fell off! that thing wont stay on! ugh....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,394
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
Ya I had a similar problem .. took several attempts at getting the "glue" to take since the motor casing does not snap together you have to crack it and reattach it when you replace the gears. I have a couple of zip ties around mine and it seems to help as the motor itself pushes against the cover on the rotations up and down.
Thanks for the bulletin mention will check that out.
Fej
Last edited by fej; Jul 23, 2006 at 06:59 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by fej
Ya I had a similar problem .. took several attempts at getting the "glue" to take since the motor casing does not snap together you have to crack it and reattach it when you replace the gears. I have a couple of zip ties around mine and it seems to help as the motor itself pushes against the cover on the rotations up and down.
Thanks for the bulletin mention will check that out.
Fej
