What kind of repair bill can one expect when your headlight (right) quits popping up on a 1998 C5 coupe?

The car only has 45K miles and suddenly it just quits popping up. The car is garaged and well cared for. I know its not exactly new, but between the a/c failure, harmonic balancer and "seat slop", its a bummer.

 

Its most likely your plastic gear in the head light motor has been chewed up by the metal worm gear that drives it.

This is a common problem and the fix is a DIY. I think the bronze gears for the fix are around $35. Search for a member named patches he has detailed tutorial on this fix!

Mario

 

If you're handy you can fix them yourself... Here's a web site for parts
http://rodneydickman.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=33

There's a "sticky" above what takes you through the task..

When I did mine, I did both sides..

 

Did u try to raise the headlight manually by using the dial on the headlight motor? If it goes up with the dial, the gear is probably still ok.
If not you can get the rebuild kit (with brass gear)from Corvette Central for 51.00 plus shipping.


http://www.corvettecentral.com/

 

it could well be the gears but there are other components that could be on the blink.

If its the gears it often comes with a rattling noise.

Here's the troubleshooting guide in case you have a motor issue:

Document ID# 661511
2002 Chevrolet Corvette
________________________________________
Headlamp Door(s) Inoperative
Step Action Yes No
Schematic Reference: Headlight Doors Schematics

1 Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check? Go to Step 2
Go to Diagnostic System Check - Lighting Systems

2 Turn the headlamps ON and OFF.
Do the headlamp doors open and close? Go to Testing for Intermittent and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems Go to Step 3

3 Is only one headlamp door inoperative? Go to Step 9
Go to Step 4

4 Are the headlamp doors closed at all times? Go to Step 5
Go to Step 7

5 1. Remove the right hand headlamp assembly.
2. Disconnect the control module connectors C1 and C2 to the actuator for the headlamp opening door.
3. Turn the headlamps ON.
4. Connect a test lamp between the headlamps ON input circuit and a known good ground at connector C1. Refer to Circuit Testing in Wiring Systems.
Does the test lamp illuminate? Go to Step 6
Go to Step 13

6 Connect a test lamp between the headlamps ON input circuit and the ground circuit of connector C1.
Does the test lamp illuminate? Go to Step 11
Go to Step 14

7 1. Turn OFF the headlamp switch.
2. Disconnect the actuator control module to the headlamp opening door.
3. Using a test lamp, probe between the headlamp OFF input circuit and ground.
Does the test lamp illuminate? Go to Step 8
Go to Step 11

8 1. Disconnect connector C209.
2. Using a test lamp, probe between the headlamp OFF input circuit (female side) and ground.
Does the test lamp illuminate? Go to Step 12
Go to Step 15

9 Test the power and ground circuit of the headlamp door control for a poor connection or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you find and correct the condition? Go to Step 19
Go to Step 10

10 Inspect the harness connector for headlamp opening door assembly for a poor connection. Refer to Testing for Intermittent and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you find and complete the repair? Go to Step 19
Go to Step 16

11 Inspect the harness connector for headlamp opening door actuator control module for a poor connection. Refer to Testing for Intermittent and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you find and complete the repair? Go to Step 19
Go to Step 17

12 Inspect the harness connector for multifunction turn signal lever for a poor connection. Refer to Testing for Intermittent and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you find and complete the repair? Go to Step 19
Go to Step 18

13 Repair a poor connector or an open in the headlamp ON input circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you complete the repair? Go to Step 19
--
14 Repair a poor connector or an open in the ground circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you complete the repair? Go to Step 19
--
15 Repair a short to battery positive voltage in the headlamps OFF input circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you complete the repair? Go to Step 19
--
16 Replace the headlamp opening door assembly. Refer to Headlamp Opening Door Replacement .
Did you complete the replacement? Go to Step 19
--
17 Replace the control module for the headlamp opening door actuator. Refer to Headlamp Control Module Replacement .
Did you complete the replacement? Go to Step 19
--
18 Replace the multifunction turn signal lever. Refer to Multifunction Turn Signal Lever Replacement - On Vehicle in Steering Wheel and Column - Tilt.
Did you complete the replacement? Go to Step 19
--
19 Operate the system in order to verify the repair.
Did you correct the condition? System OK Go to Step 2

________________________________________
Document ID# 661511
2002 Chevrolet Corvette

 

Also check and see if you can hear the motor turning. You can do this by popping the hood and looking at the motor. Have someone switch on the lightsfrom inside the car. If the **** on the motor turns but doesn't raise the light, than the gear is shot and replacement is easy. If the **** on the motor doesn't turn than there is an issue with the motor or motor module (but most likely it's the gear). Check the operation of the good light to see what I mean. There is also a grinding noise that sometimes accompanies the stripped gear symptom. Good Luck

I forgot to add something. Some C5's came with a rubber boot cover over the ****. With this on you may not see the **** turn. Just pull the boot off. In the picture it is to the top right of the light just under the top/right white nut. Hope this helps.