PASSENGER HEADLIGHT GROWLS
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 2
From: Chicagoland Illinois
PASSENGER HEADLIGHT GROWLS
Alright, last night I am driving my car and when I go to put it away, the headlight doors close and there is a loud growl from the passenger front. I determined it was the headlight door (or gear?) because I turned the lights back on and the lights came up but the growl immedietly stopped. Anyhting I can do to remedy this or is it going to be a trip to the dealer for me???
Any help would be greatly appreciated...Thanks :chevy :seeya :flag
Any help would be greatly appreciated...Thanks :chevy :seeya :flag
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
From: Corona California
Re: PASSENGER HEADLIGHT GROWLS (silversport)
I'd suggest dealer and further that you should be under warranty. A plastic [perhaps delrin] gear has stripped in the actuator. Just out of curiosity, was it the driver's side lamp?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 2
From: Chicagoland Illinois
Re: PASSENGER HEADLIGHT GROWLS (Patman36)
Thanks...it's the passenger headlight...the lights still go up and down just that the passenger side growls...still the actuator??? Thanks for the quick responses. :cool: :cheers: :chevy :seeya
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,224
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa OK
Re: PASSENGER HEADLIGHT GROWLS (silversport)
My passenger headlight went up and down fine... accept after it went down, it made a nasty griding noise for about five seconds after that... then stopped. It is the passenger side headlight actuator :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:
Patrick :cheers:
Patrick :cheers:
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 2
From: Chicagoland Illinois
Re: PASSENGER HEADLIGHT GROWLS (Patman36)
Thanks, I was told by others that I should spray WD-40 on the moving parts as this also is a common problem...hmmmmmm...I hate going to the dealer. :chevy :seeya
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
From: Corona California
Re: PASSENGER HEADLIGHT GROWLS (silversport)
With no disrespect intended, unless you have easy access to an aerosol can of replacement teeth the gear [included as part of the actuator assembly, not available as a spare] will have to be replaced. On the bright side, it's a 20 minute job.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 2
From: Chicagoland Illinois
Re: PASSENGER HEADLIGHT GROWLS (TeeJay)
No disrespect taken...the WD-40 route did not sound right to me (since I think the gears are plastic) but someone who has had this problem felt that was the fix...and he was trying to help...my logic cicuit in my neural net tells me it's the actuator...thanks for the reply. :chevy :seeya
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 0
From: Henderson, NV
Re: PASSENGER HEADLIGHT GROWLS (silversport)
Hi all,
Well, I've been there, done that! Silversport-I was told by C5 TECH that the actuator motor on '99's and later were designed with an actuator motor housing that could NOT be opened up. This means that the owner MUST buy a whole ENTIRE new motor to replace the broken one due to one little nylon gearwheel inside it. (brilliant, huh?) I guess the motor mfgr was loosing revenue to people who repaired the gearwheel themselves, like I did, so they redesigned the motor after '98! I am lucky I have a '97 with the old repairable motor ;) Bummer, huh!
Steve
Well, I've been there, done that! Silversport-I was told by C5 TECH that the actuator motor on '99's and later were designed with an actuator motor housing that could NOT be opened up. This means that the owner MUST buy a whole ENTIRE new motor to replace the broken one due to one little nylon gearwheel inside it. (brilliant, huh?) I guess the motor mfgr was loosing revenue to people who repaired the gearwheel themselves, like I did, so they redesigned the motor after '98! I am lucky I have a '97 with the old repairable motor ;) Bummer, huh!
Steve
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 2
From: Chicagoland Illinois
Re: PASSENGER HEADLIGHT GROWLS (Blackjetvette97)
Only for the dealer who denies my claim!!! :mad :mad :lol: :lol: :D
Actually, the gear appears fine, so far...it is the actuator that doesn't seem to shut off till it overloads. lights go up and down fine...hopefully going to the dealer tomorrow.
[Modified by silversport, 2:12 PM 5/7/2002]
Actually, the gear appears fine, so far...it is the actuator that doesn't seem to shut off till it overloads. lights go up and down fine...hopefully going to the dealer tomorrow.
[Modified by silversport, 2:12 PM 5/7/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 0
From: Henderson, NV
Re: PASSENGER HEADLIGHT GROWLS (silversport)
Hi all,
Hi Silversport,
What is actually happening is that the worm drive screw is turning the gear quite fine both ways to raise/lower the mechanism on the light motor. When the light reaches the end cycle at close, there is some teeth which have been broken off the nylon gear wheel inside the actuator motor. The growling sound you are hearing is the motor still turning the S.S. screw inside the actuator, grinding against the broken area of the gear wheel(there is no teeth to offer resistance and stop it from turning) I witnessed this happen since I opened up my actautor motor while still attached and had my wife turn on/off the headlights to watch the action of the motor! You are outta luck, since the newer motors('99 and up) cannot be opened up to repair the gearwheel per C5 TECH.
Steve
Hi Silversport,
What is actually happening is that the worm drive screw is turning the gear quite fine both ways to raise/lower the mechanism on the light motor. When the light reaches the end cycle at close, there is some teeth which have been broken off the nylon gear wheel inside the actuator motor. The growling sound you are hearing is the motor still turning the S.S. screw inside the actuator, grinding against the broken area of the gear wheel(there is no teeth to offer resistance and stop it from turning) I witnessed this happen since I opened up my actautor motor while still attached and had my wife turn on/off the headlights to watch the action of the motor! You are outta luck, since the newer motors('99 and up) cannot be opened up to repair the gearwheel per C5 TECH.
Steve
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 2
From: Chicagoland Illinois
Re: PASSENGER HEADLIGHT GROWLS (Blackjetvette97)
Got it fixed today...Thanks, Jason Smith @ TEAM Chevy in Westmont! Takes about 45-60 minutes and cost (if not done under warranty) READY??? $500.00 for the part PLUS labor...ouch. Mine was done under warranty. :chevy :seeya
Thanks, everyone for the info sharing...it's what makes this Forum so great.
[Modified by silversport, 5:18 PM 5/8/2002]
[Modified by silversport, 5:19 PM 5/8/2002]
Thanks, everyone for the info sharing...it's what makes this Forum so great.
[Modified by silversport, 5:18 PM 5/8/2002]
[Modified by silversport, 5:19 PM 5/8/2002]
