Headlight Malfunction
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Mays Landing NJ
Sorry to resurrect this thread but there is alot of good headlight door advice here and I didn't want to start a whole new thread for my problem. I too have a headlight problem on my 2002 C5 and I would appreciate some advice.
The drivers side headlight door fails to open but the headlight comes on when activated from the stalk. The passenger side headlight works fine. There is no grinding or other noise noticeable and I was able to get home the other night by tapping on the headlight door and repeatedly "on-offing" the switch about 5 times.
Is this a case of the headlamp controller module? Are there seperate fuses for each side headlight door? I'm looking for an easy fix here but preparing myself for the other possibilities. Thanks all.
Edit: The door raises fine manually but it won't open electrically. Could someone tell me where the headlamp controller module is for the drivers side assembly? The fuses are all good and I'm thinking this may be my problem. Thanks
The drivers side headlight door fails to open but the headlight comes on when activated from the stalk. The passenger side headlight works fine. There is no grinding or other noise noticeable and I was able to get home the other night by tapping on the headlight door and repeatedly "on-offing" the switch about 5 times.
Is this a case of the headlamp controller module? Are there seperate fuses for each side headlight door? I'm looking for an easy fix here but preparing myself for the other possibilities. Thanks all.
Edit: The door raises fine manually but it won't open electrically. Could someone tell me where the headlamp controller module is for the drivers side assembly? The fuses are all good and I'm thinking this may be my problem. Thanks
Last edited by ninjazed; Mar 24, 2007 at 02:37 PM. Reason: more info
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,141
Likes: 4,156
From: Kannapolis NC
There's a motor on each side, highly unlikely both quit at exactly the same time. I'd suspect the ground or the control module mentioned above. If not that, the multifunction stalk on the steering wheel may not be sending the signal to turn on the lamps and open the doors. Make sure you have checked all fuses related. A recent poster had forgotten to reconnect his headlight controller and the lights came on but the doors didn't open, so it may not be the module. How's that for help? Check the ground on the frame and post back what you find.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Mays Landing NJ
Well it started to rain this afternoon and both my headlight doors opened fine. Does anyone have an idea why I have an intermittant problem with the drivers side headlamp door? Once again I will ask if anyone can tell me where the headlamp controller module is and how I might diagnose if this is the cause of my problem? Thanks.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 430
Likes: 2
The continuing saga...
I am having the same problem.
Here is the interesting part.
When I disconnected the battery, the lights came up (because I forgot to turn the switch off.)
When I turn the lights off, everything works fine.
When I turn the light switch back on, nothing happens until I take the ground off the battery and then it works again.
As long as I cycle the battery, this pattern continues.
Someone earlier in this thread said something about this being a problem when voltage was below 13.5.
My gauge has always read at 13.0, but since I have only had the car a week, I did not know if this was normal or not.
My thought is that the ground thing is causing a voltage surge and that is providing enough voltage to trip a marginal relay.
Any opinions?
Thanks,
Rad
Here is the interesting part.
When I disconnected the battery, the lights came up (because I forgot to turn the switch off.)
When I turn the lights off, everything works fine.
When I turn the light switch back on, nothing happens until I take the ground off the battery and then it works again.
As long as I cycle the battery, this pattern continues.
Someone earlier in this thread said something about this being a problem when voltage was below 13.5.
My gauge has always read at 13.0, but since I have only had the car a week, I did not know if this was normal or not.
My thought is that the ground thing is causing a voltage surge and that is providing enough voltage to trip a marginal relay.
Any opinions?
Thanks,
Rad
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: Childersburg/Talladega Ala
Well it started to rain this afternoon and both my headlight doors opened fine. Does anyone have an idea why I have an intermittant problem with the drivers side headlamp door? Once again I will ask if anyone can tell me where the headlamp controller module is and how I might diagnose if this is the cause of my problem? Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 8
From: Cockeysville Maryland
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Daytona Jam 1 Veteran
I have finally fixed my drivers side headlight issue. It would not raise at all (except manually) but the lamp would light up. The passenger side was/is working fine.
I rebuilt both motors with the brass upgrade from Rodney D but this did not help my drivers side issue.
I have seen it suggested that unless BOTH motors are havinga problem at the same time it most likely IS NOT the actuator control module.
Since the rebuild was unsuccessful I bought a used actuator control module from karshop http://www.geneskarshop.com/ for a lot less than what the dealership wanted.
Believe it or not this CORRECTED my issue and now both rebuilt motors are working.
For those that have an issue with the lights not raising AND the lamps not lighting I would agree that the fuses might be the first place to look. Hopefully those that are saying that they are checking the fuses and they seem to be allright are actually changing them out (#8 and #10) under the hood with new ones.
Hope this helps and feel free to pm me with any questions as I have had my headlight set-up in and out a thousand times by now.
I rebuilt both motors with the brass upgrade from Rodney D but this did not help my drivers side issue.
I have seen it suggested that unless BOTH motors are havinga problem at the same time it most likely IS NOT the actuator control module.
Since the rebuild was unsuccessful I bought a used actuator control module from karshop http://www.geneskarshop.com/ for a lot less than what the dealership wanted.
Believe it or not this CORRECTED my issue and now both rebuilt motors are working.
For those that have an issue with the lights not raising AND the lamps not lighting I would agree that the fuses might be the first place to look. Hopefully those that are saying that they are checking the fuses and they seem to be allright are actually changing them out (#8 and #10) under the hood with new ones.
Hope this helps and feel free to pm me with any questions as I have had my headlight set-up in and out a thousand times by now.
