C5 headlight problem
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
C5 headlight problem
Headlights on my 98 stock vette do not turn off - nor do the headlights recess when the ignition is turned off. This just started happening without warning. Could be a bad switch, but looking for idea's before I begin shootin in the dark. Have to unlatch the headlight connections in order to get them off in the meantime. Thanks for your help.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
From: Bahrain
When i first took my C5 home and put it in the garage I had the same problem. What a dope I was, the lights were set to automatic sensor i.e. turned themselves on in the dark. had to phone the previous owner
to solve the problem!
Maybe you have unintentionally switched settings.
to solve the problem!
Maybe you have unintentionally switched settings.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
First the obvious:
Make sure the battery is properly connected and tight.
Check relay #44 which controls the headlights.
Check fuse #6 in the passenger footwell which can affect the doors.
Disable Twilight Sentinel in the DIC so you're working just manual mode. It'll help troubleshoot.
If both doors are affected and they stay open I'd start at the headlamp door actuator module. Check the connectors to the actuator for damage and clean them up.
Recycle the headlight switch quite aggressively to see if you can get them to move at all. It could be a bad multi function switch (the one on the steering wheel stalk). If you get any movement at all, there's the snag. Try some electronics cleaner squirted into the switch. It may clean up the contacts. Failure of this switch is common and causes all sorts of problems.
Ultimately it could need any of those components changing but you need to track down the problem first.
Make sure the battery is properly connected and tight.
Check relay #44 which controls the headlights.
Check fuse #6 in the passenger footwell which can affect the doors.
Disable Twilight Sentinel in the DIC so you're working just manual mode. It'll help troubleshoot.
If both doors are affected and they stay open I'd start at the headlamp door actuator module. Check the connectors to the actuator for damage and clean them up.
Recycle the headlight switch quite aggressively to see if you can get them to move at all. It could be a bad multi function switch (the one on the steering wheel stalk). If you get any movement at all, there's the snag. Try some electronics cleaner squirted into the switch. It may clean up the contacts. Failure of this switch is common and causes all sorts of problems.
Ultimately it could need any of those components changing but you need to track down the problem first.
Last edited by DeeGee; May 25, 2008 at 02:39 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
When i first took my C5 home and put it in the garage I had the same problem. What a dope I was, the lights were set to automatic sensor i.e. turned themselves on in the dark. had to phone the previous owner
to solve the problem!
Maybe you have unintentionally switched settings.
to solve the problem!
Maybe you have unintentionally switched settings.
Last edited by DeeGee; May 25, 2008 at 02:37 AM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Follow-up: Still Problem
Checked all fuses and relays - all look good. Battery connection checked and good. Plugged headlight harnesses back in - same problem - lights go on as soon as the harness is plugged in. Regarding twilight sential option, I went through DIC, and found no options for this. Also referenced manual, no mention. Not sure I even have this option. Although I am working in daylight,
so this shouldnt be causing it I would thinkg.
Played with the headlight control cluster stalk. When moving control slowly between OFF postion and PARK LIGHTS position, the lights turn off and the headlight motors engage and close. As soon as the the control is moved to either park or off, the Headlight motors open and lights return to on. The only way to turn the headlights off is to unconnect each of the headlight harnesses. Weird! Any other suggestions? I appreciate the help!
so this shouldnt be causing it I would thinkg.
Played with the headlight control cluster stalk. When moving control slowly between OFF postion and PARK LIGHTS position, the lights turn off and the headlight motors engage and close. As soon as the the control is moved to either park or off, the Headlight motors open and lights return to on. The only way to turn the headlights off is to unconnect each of the headlight harnesses. Weird! Any other suggestions? I appreciate the help!
Last edited by leopoldml; May 25, 2008 at 06:12 PM.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Headlight blinker switch has a problem with the spring failing. You can take it off and disassemble it and bend it back into place and it's work for another month or two--which I did three or four times before breaking down and buying a new one. Buy a new switch, it's worth it.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: DeRidder, LA
Headlight open and close
The driver side headlight on my 1991 Corvette will not open all the way. When I turn the headlights on I can give a gentle nudge and the light will open completely. There is no problem closing. Suggestion?
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Florida
