Head light and voltage problem
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Head light and voltage problem
Hi, everyone. I have a 2001 C5 convertible. A while back I noticed my headlight door would not open until the car had run for a while. I thought it was the battery and replaced it with a new long live one. The problem would still happen occasionally. I started monitering the voltage on the dash indicator and found before starting the car it was registering between 11.1 to 11.6 volts. At that voltage the headlight would not pop up. Once I crank the car after a second the voltage would build to 14 volts and the headlight door works fine. I was wondering if anyone else has had a problem like this or could make a suggestion. Could the alternator be bad? I don't think so because of the 14volt reading after engine is running. Do I have a bad battery again that just can't handle the electrical load?
suggestions are welcome
Ralph
suggestions are welcome
Ralph
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 2
From: Ramona CA
I got rid of the pop-ups and went to the fixed DEPO lights. No more motor or pop-up problems. On Ebay DEPO projector lights are about $330 shipped. You can sell your pop-up lights for about the same. They are brighter with two projector lights.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Thanks for your reply, but I like the pop up headlights and the lines are cleaner when they are closed. My motors are just fine and work well when the voltage is there around 12.9 to 14 volts. When I get in my car the voltage is around 11.1 to 11.6 volts, but quickly build to 13.9 to 14 volts once I start my engine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,383
Likes: 531
Thanks for your reply, but I like the pop up headlights and the lines are cleaner when they are closed. My motors are just fine and work well when the voltage is there around 12.9 to 14 volts. When I get in my car the voltage is around 11.1 to 11.6 volts, but quickly build to 13.9 to 14 volts once I start my engine.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 67
From: Bahama North Carolina
Thanks for your reply, but I like the pop up headlights and the lines are cleaner when they are closed. My motors are just fine and work well when the voltage is there around 12.9 to 14 volts. When I get in my car the voltage is around 11.1 to 11.6 volts, but quickly build to 13.9 to 14 volts once I start my engine.
Just noticed you were reading this voltage from the dash. Check the battery with a DMM before you start the car.
Last edited by BigGun; May 23, 2010 at 05:50 PM.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Thanks BigGun. I have read the voltage with a Multimeter and it reads about the same as the dash meter.
Kevin G, I have not installed anyother bulbs except the stock bulbs. Anyway, what resistor are you talking about?
Kevin G, I have not installed anyother bulbs except the stock bulbs. Anyway, what resistor are you talking about?
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 67
From: Bahama North Carolina
If your battery is reading that low(less than 12V) with no load you are going to have other problems. You need to get that taken care of asap. B\G
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,361
Likes: 1,128
From: Dyer, IN
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,361
Likes: 1,128
From: Dyer, IN
Hi, everyone. I have a 2001 C5 convertible. A while back I noticed my headlight door would not open until the car had run for a while. I thought it was the battery and replaced it with a new long live one. The problem would still happen occasionally. I started monitering the voltage on the dash indicator and found before starting the car it was registering between 11.1 to 11.6 volts. At that voltage the headlight would not pop up. Once I crank the car after a second the voltage would build to 14 volts and the headlight door works fine. I was wondering if anyone else has had a problem like this or could make a suggestion. Could the alternator be bad? I don't think so because of the 14volt reading after engine is running. Do I have a bad battery again that just can't handle the electrical load?
suggestions are welcome
Ralph
suggestions are welcome
Ralph
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Hi Luck131969,
Neither headlight will open when the car is first started. I have to wait for the voltage to build to at least 13 volts then everything operates fine. When I turn the lights off they retract normally.
thanks
Neither headlight will open when the car is first started. I have to wait for the voltage to build to at least 13 volts then everything operates fine. When I turn the lights off they retract normally.
thanks
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,361
Likes: 1,128
From: Dyer, IN
Do you have twilight sentinel? If so, how do the lights behave with it on?
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Edit: Forgot to mention that I have the "light cannons" with HIDs installed.
Last edited by DizziD; May 29, 2010 at 05:11 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
I have the same problem as the OP but it doesn't matter if the car is just "on" or running with 14V coming from the alternator - the headlights won't come up unless I pop the hood, turn the **** a couple times and then the motor can do the rest. Is this a resistor problem you mentioned? Where is this resistor?
Edit: Forgot to mention that I have the "light cannons" with HIDs installed.
Edit: Forgot to mention that I have the "light cannons" with HIDs installed.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Perhaps I can install a relay on each side straight to the battery to see if that helps. Never looked at a wiring diagram for the motors though, i assume the headlight swtich is a switch to ground?
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
- headlight gears (teeth starting to fade)
- headlight control module
- Multifunction switch.
I'd say gears first. When the teeth on the plasic gear start to fade significantly, they will cause a lockup before making that annoying "grinding" sound