Headlight problems AFTER replacing worn gears???
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
Likes: 2,405
From: Redacted
Headlight problems AFTER replacing worn gears???
A couple of months ago I replaced both headlight gears with the upgraded units because the driver's side gear was stripped. I now have an intermittent problem where one or both headlights wont go up when you turn them on. Usually after turning the **** 4 or 5 times, I can get them both up, but it takes a while. I dont have the grinding noise as previously, and the motors appear to be working fine. Anyone have any ideas?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
If you have to turn the **** just a little and then try to turn them on again and they come up, if its just one that's doing this, then most likely you've got the motor internal spacers in the wrong position. The motor can go together with one of the spacers in the wrong spot which allows the gear armature to slide more than intended, resulting in the metal stop blades or whatever they are called, to ride up and over the rubber bumpers, therefore jamming it. Now if both are doing this at the same instant, either both have the same problem or the headlamp switch is having a problem. There is also the headlamp controller of course but usually the headlamp switch as it has a high failure rate.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 2
From: New York NY
Pull the motors out and check to see if the adhesive provided in the kit has cracked...... Mine did and it caused the same problem as what your describing, you'll need to clean things up and apply new apoxy.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
Likes: 2,405
From: Redacted
Ill have to double check the adhesive....I used some 2 part epoxy for plastics that I bought at home depot because I had heard the stuff supplied with the kit didnt hold up well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Niagara Falls ON
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
There are actually four sensors up there depending on how equipped. Two on the dash pad cover itself, one inside of the HUD and another on the front of the DIC Controller.
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 680
Likes: 17
From: Moulton Alabama
Cruise-In 8-9-10-12 Veteran
Sensors for the gears to raise the headlights??? I don't understand what sensor would keep our headlights from raising. I can turn mine on anytime, regardless of any sensor I know of. Am I missing something here??
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
Likes: 2,405
From: Redacted
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 680
Likes: 17
From: Moulton Alabama
Cruise-In 8-9-10-12 Veteran
Z06 here also. I turn the ****, headlights come up and on. I rotated the gears in mine after they were stripped about 2 years ago. Still good, so far. They rotate less than 180 degrees, so one side of the gears were still good.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
No, I was just clarifying that there are four sensors in the area but I suppose I could have said only one is used for commands to the twilight sentinel.
Navigator
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Fountain Hills Arizona
Hello I've had the exact same problem with my 2001 c5 for the past three months taken it all over and nobody has an answer. Headlights will pop up after you back off motor adjustment and loosen it up but it only last a couple of days and gets tight and lights won't pop up.