Odd Headlight Noise
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 79
Likes: 1
From: Irvine CA
St. Jude Donor '09
Odd Headlight Noise
2004 C5, headlights go up and down fine, but the passenger side headlight after going down makes a ratcheting sound for several seconds.
I have read the multitude of threads on headlight motors, but I didn't see this particular problem.
Is this a gear noise I am hearing ?
Why only going down?
Is it a limit switch being missed?
Thanks for any help,
Bill
I have read the multitude of threads on headlight motors, but I didn't see this particular problem.
Is this a gear noise I am hearing ?
Why only going down?
Is it a limit switch being missed?
Thanks for any help,
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
mostly likely a gear grinding. I'm assuming you don't have the brass gears yet? get them replaced. even if this is something new and not gears, you will suffer gear breakage eventually. probably a 99% chance that will be the solution to your problem anyway.
there aren't any limit switches on the headlights, it uses the resistance the motor sees when the arms hit the stops to know when to stop trying to rotate. it forces the gears to bind rather tightly in the open and closed state which is good for preventing any rattles or movement, but it does mean that the days were numbered on the plastic gear teeth the second they rolled out of bowling green.
there aren't any limit switches on the headlights, it uses the resistance the motor sees when the arms hit the stops to know when to stop trying to rotate. it forces the gears to bind rather tightly in the open and closed state which is good for preventing any rattles or movement, but it does mean that the days were numbered on the plastic gear teeth the second they rolled out of bowling green.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 79
Likes: 1
From: Irvine CA
St. Jude Donor '09
mostly likely a gear grinding. I'm assuming you don't have the brass gears yet? get them replaced. even if this is something new and not gears, you will suffer gear breakage eventually. probably a 99% chance that will be the solution to your problem anyway.
there aren't any limit switches on the headlights, it uses the resistance the motor sees when the arms hit the stops to know when to stop trying to rotate. it forces the gears to bind rather tightly in the open and closed state which is good for preventing any rattles or movement, but it does mean that the days were numbered on the plastic gear teeth the second they rolled out of bowling green.
there aren't any limit switches on the headlights, it uses the resistance the motor sees when the arms hit the stops to know when to stop trying to rotate. it forces the gears to bind rather tightly in the open and closed state which is good for preventing any rattles or movement, but it does mean that the days were numbered on the plastic gear teeth the second they rolled out of bowling green.
I will look up one of the excellent threads on how to replace the plastic gears with brass.
Bill
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: High Point, NC
Just had the samee problem with my drives side headlight, it would go up and down but the motor woukd run 10 or 15 seconds after the light was down. Today a changed the gear from plastic to brass and it took care of the issue. There was a flat spot on the plastic gear 
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 3
From: pasadena in the great state of TEXAS
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
time to replace the gear. you could do it in 3 or 4 hours but you have to have time for the epoxy to dry so you can pull it and fix it today and reinstall it tomorrow. not to bad of a job if you are somewhat mechanally inclined and have small arms or have access to a pair of small arms
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 44
Likes: 1
From: Hermosa Beach CA
www.RodneyDickmam.com
Brass gear, great instructions, quick delivery, $50 to your door, 3-hours work + overnight set on glue (if 2000 and up). Very satisfied customer.
Has anyone had any problems with the brass gear? That is: maybe the motor pinion gear will eventually fail, now that the sacrificial nylon gear has been replaced with a harder gear?
Brass gear, great instructions, quick delivery, $50 to your door, 3-hours work + overnight set on glue (if 2000 and up). Very satisfied customer.
Has anyone had any problems with the brass gear? That is: maybe the motor pinion gear will eventually fail, now that the sacrificial nylon gear has been replaced with a harder gear?
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