C-5 Headlight Motors
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 716
From: Terrell North Carolina
C-5 Headlight Motors
A lot has been written on how to repair the motors, but I did it a different way. I bought new motors from Advance Auto Parts(made by Cardone) lifetime warranty, paid $116.00 for each side. Motors made in China, but price is right and quality looks good. Part numbers for the motors are:49-129, and 49-130.
I took the entire headlight bucket out, to me made the job much eaiser(10 minutes to take it out, set it on the kitchen table and change out the motors), my opinion only.
To me by the time you buy the gear set, get the old motor apart and hope you can get it back together and don't break any parts, the new motor is a no brainer to me.
While you have the entire headlight bucket out, you can change out he hard to get to park light bulbs, side marker bulbs and even the fog lights if you wish. With the bucket out, all those bulbs are easy to reach.
Just another option and a opinion.
I took the entire headlight bucket out, to me made the job much eaiser(10 minutes to take it out, set it on the kitchen table and change out the motors), my opinion only.
To me by the time you buy the gear set, get the old motor apart and hope you can get it back together and don't break any parts, the new motor is a no brainer to me.
While you have the entire headlight bucket out, you can change out he hard to get to park light bulbs, side marker bulbs and even the fog lights if you wish. With the bucket out, all those bulbs are easy to reach.
Just another option and a opinion.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,401
Likes: 1,143
From: Dyer, IN
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,476
Likes: 91
From: Between Tally and Gatorville ,Florida
Plus if I remember the cardone are made to be installed with one bolt and two screws,instead of the three bolt design.
Last edited by Dale002; Sep 5, 2011 at 12:05 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
When I used to work in the aftermarket auto parts business years ago, we had more comebacks on Cardone than any other brand of part we sold. It was pretty much across the board, water pumps, ps pumps, starters, etc. We had the fewest (by far) on AC Delco.
I don't go near anything Cardone "sells".
I don't go near anything Cardone "sells".
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,785
Likes: 8
From: Sacramento California
I did the brass gears and they are working fine accept I can't get the glue to hold on one of them. I have a 97' and they came with the motors that the case bolts together. That one is great with no issues. but the pass side one was replaced at some point and is the glued together style. The glue just won't hold and the case keeps seperating. So, I plan to find another older style motor and swap it out. My biggest issue is with the stops. The little platic bumpers that stop the motor. Sometimes the lights don't pop up. If I pop the hood and turn the **** a bit to loosen up the gears, they pop right up. I just need to replace all those plastic stops and hope it fixes it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,476
Likes: 91
From: Between Tally and Gatorville ,Florida
I did the brass gears and they are working fine accept I can't get the glue to hold on one of them. I have a 97' and they came with the motors that the case bolts together. That one is great with no issues. but the pass side one was replaced at some point and is the glued together style. The glue just won't hold and the case keeps seperating. So, I plan to find another older style motor and swap it out. My biggest issue is with the stops. The little platic bumpers that stop the motor. Sometimes the lights don't pop up. If I pop the hood and turn the **** a bit to loosen up the gears, they pop right up. I just need to replace all those plastic stops and hope it fixes it.
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield Virginia
I replaced my drivers side headlight actuator this evening with a GM. Dealer had it in stock. I called Advanced Auto, they didn't have one. They could get a Cardone for $119.99 plus a $15.00 core charge. The GM listed for $371.00. I used to work there and I got it for $207.00. Well worth the difference, in my book!