One headlight NOT working....
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
One headlight NOT working....
I just got this (2003) impeccable 26,000 mile car and the drivers side headlight does not work. The passenger side works but makes a loud "electric motor grinding" noise when switched off.
All comments welcomed !!!
Thank you
All comments welcomed !!!
Thank you
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 1
From: Lincoln Nebraska
"does not work" meaning.....?
Does it not lift, not light?
The grinding on the passenger side could be the headlight gears going. The OEM part is plastic and wears down, there is a brass replacement available, do a search! That may be the drivers side problem also, it is a common repair.
Does it not lift, not light?
The grinding on the passenger side could be the headlight gears going. The OEM part is plastic and wears down, there is a brass replacement available, do a search! That may be the drivers side problem also, it is a common repair.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 1
From: Lincoln Nebraska
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1817090
Post #2 ...explains the headlight gear fix diy....like I said very common problem....
Post #2 ...explains the headlight gear fix diy....like I said very common problem....
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Manual crank not working on C5
Folks, I can find lots of link to replace the bad motor gear but I have yet to find someone that has had an issue with the manual crank. The other headlight with working motor ( manual cranks just fine ). What I am assuming is happening is the gears are so stripped out that even the manual crank of the worm can't catch. I tried putting some pressure on the headlight as I cranked to see if I could get at least one tooth to catch.( didnt push to hard ) Any suggestions ?? Hate to take it to dealer since I have the new brass gear.
Thanks in advance
Robb
Thanks in advance
Robb
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX
it sounds to me like your gear is completly stripped. does the light come on even though the it doesn't raise? if the light's not coming on, you would want to check the headlight module...it may need replacement. it's under the passenger side headlight.
BUT...if you headlight won't come up with the manual crank...it's probably completly stripped. the gears is a good and cheap place to start
BUT...if you headlight won't come up with the manual crank...it's probably completly stripped. the gears is a good and cheap place to start
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
on each edge of the headlight assembly is a nylon lock nut. (closest to windshield)
remove those and you can take the headlght assembly off the bracket. Once you do that you can check out the gears in the motor.
remove those and you can take the headlght assembly off the bracket. Once you do that you can check out the gears in the motor.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Folks, I can find lots of link to replace the bad motor gear but I have yet to find someone that has had an issue with the manual crank. The other headlight with working motor ( manual cranks just fine ). What I am assuming is happening is the gears are so stripped out that even the manual crank of the worm can't catch. I tried putting some pressure on the headlight as I cranked to see if I could get at least one tooth to catch.( didnt push to hard ) Any suggestions ?? Hate to take it to dealer since I have the new brass gear.
Thanks in advance
Robb
Thanks in advance
Robb
No need to take it to the dealer. Follow those instructions an you should be just fine.
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Headlight removal when manual overide not working
Yes the light is working and I hear the motor spinning away even after the other headlight has closed.
RWS.1 the only nylon nuts I see there are spacers to keep the headlight cover from hitting the assembly. I am including a picture of the working headlight with cover off as well as the broken headlight which I cant seem to separate.
I do not see a pair of nylon nuts that will allow me to pull of the headlight assemlby off the bracket.
Thanks for those quick replies hoping to get her fixed this weekend.
RWS.1 the only nylon nuts I see there are spacers to keep the headlight cover from hitting the assembly. I am including a picture of the working headlight with cover off as well as the broken headlight which I cant seem to separate.
I do not see a pair of nylon nuts that will allow me to pull of the headlight assemlby off the bracket.
Thanks for those quick replies hoping to get her fixed this weekend.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena Texas
Yes the light is working and I hear the motor spinning away even after the other headlight has closed.
RWS.1 the only nylon nuts I see there are spacers to keep the headlight cover from hitting the assembly. I am including a picture of the working headlight with cover off as well as the broken headlight which I cant seem to separate.
I do not see a pair of nylon nuts that will allow me to pull of the headlight assemlby off the bracket.
Thanks for those quick replies hoping to get her fixed this weekend.
RWS.1 the only nylon nuts I see there are spacers to keep the headlight cover from hitting the assembly. I am including a picture of the working headlight with cover off as well as the broken headlight which I cant seem to separate.
I do not see a pair of nylon nuts that will allow me to pull of the headlight assemlby off the bracket.
Thanks for those quick replies hoping to get her fixed this weekend.
bump, mine is broke and looks nothing like junkmans pictures.
And has all the symptons as yours
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena Texas
Folks, I can find lots of link to replace the bad motor gear but I have yet to find someone that has had an issue with the manual crank. The other headlight with working motor ( manual cranks just fine ). What I am assuming is happening is the gears are so stripped out that even the manual crank of the worm can't catch. I tried putting some pressure on the headlight as I cranked to see if I could get at least one tooth to catch.( didnt push to hard ) Any suggestions ?? Hate to take it to dealer since I have the new brass gear.
Thanks in advance
Robb
Thanks in advance
Robb
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 0
From: Peachtree City Georgia
My right headlight has been grinding as well, and that's after I had the motor replaced 6 months earlier. I have to try the DYI fix. I can't afford to bring my Vette in every time it has a cough anymore.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena Texas
Still can't get the light up
You need to go underneath the car and remove the access panel. with 10mm socket remove the arm off the motor, then the headlight will move freely and the rest can be fixed from the topside.
Don't pry on it because the parts are plastic and will break. If your good with epoxy (like I now am)
the plastic part can be fixed with lots of patients
.Yes I'm now a expert at the brass gear headlight fix, 2 days for the first one and 30 minutes for the second.
Last edited by MKeller; Oct 7, 2008 at 12:10 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,873
Likes: 614
Same problem here. Headlight will not go up even with turning the manual control. None of the DIY threads on here work because they all deal with headlights that actually can be popped up.
TO add, my working headlight is now popping up when the parking lights are turned on.
What's going on with this thing?
TO add, my working headlight is now popping up when the parking lights are turned on.
What's going on with this thing?
Last edited by Kappa; Oct 9, 2008 at 01:35 AM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena Texas
Same problem here. Headlight will not go up even with turning the manual control. None of the DIY threads on here work because they all deal with headlights that actually can be popped up.
TO add, my working headlight is now popping up when the parking lights are turned on.
What's going on with this thing?
TO add, my working headlight is now popping up when the parking lights are turned on.
What's going on with this thing?
