A few days ago I noticed that when my headlight goes down it makes a large braaaaaappp noise. I haven't driven at night in a while but when I start the car in the garage the twilight sensor causes them to come on, once I get outside I hear it after the sunlight kicks the sensor.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Does it sound like an adjustment can be made or a trip to have something replaced?

I am out of warranty on my 99 coupe.

 

Part needs to be replaced. Its the headlight actuator I think. This is a common problem. I got mine fixed twice now, left light first, then the right. Search the archives maybe someone fixed it themselves, but I usually goes bad in the first year from what I am reading, so most take it back to the dealer.HTH

 

mine does the same thing but its very loud, lasts for about 5 seconds after the headlights go down. also when I put the parking lights on the headlight pop up. looks like I'll be taking another trip to the dealer soon :(

 

Anyone know what it would cost to replace this part if it turns out to be an actuator? From all accounts that is what I figured it was. I have turned off the twilight feature to keep it from doing it.

Thanks for the post so far.

 

Exact same problem......just don't like going to the dealer
:cuss :cuss :cuss

 

Well I called the dealer and $400 - $450 to replace the headlight unit. Has anyone found a more affordable solution to this problem?

 

The part is $95 from a discount online parts source and it is pretty easy to replace. :cheers:

 

Thats great, ok next question... Does anyone know of a good online discount parts store and the part number :)

 

Call Bob Wendorff at Fichtner Chev. He'll hook you up. 406-628-4121. :cheers:

 

Hi all,
The biggest joke here is that it is a .25 cent piece of nylon inside the worm gear drive motor that strips out after wear. What a joke it is that this car was designed to have a cheap piece fail like this and force owners to pay a RIDICULOUS amount to get it fixed by having to buy a WHOLE NEW MOTOR...........GEE, THANKS GM!

Steve

 

Thing is, when you replace one motor, that headlight bucket will raise and lower faster than the other, due to revised part being a little different, I had both of mine replaced under warantee.
Seems like there are a few things that will definatly go wrong with a C5
Steering column
Headlight motor gear
To name a few....

 

Got mine replaced today for the same problem, and it now goes up faster than the other one.. :mad It also makes a 'click' sound when it reaches the top, like it's hitting the stop harder than normal or something. Is this normal? I'm wary of the dealer like everyone else. I may just live with having a faster driver's side light, and the click sound.

One more question: Why the heck does it make that grinding sound only when you lower the headlight (after it's fully lowered)? It seems like a stripped gear would grind in both directions. Weird.


[Modified by FarmerBob2001, 11:10 AM 10/3/2002]

 

Had the same probem with my 98. After taking the actuator (no warranty on mine so I had nothing to lose just trying to avoid $230 for a new one!) It was obvious what happened. I wish I had taken pictures cause it would be a hell of alot easier to explain! But hear goes! There is a rubber piece that sits inside the white plastic gear. This rubber piece just crumbled into pieces. After the rubber gave, this broke off the plastic pieces inside the gear itself that held the rubber piece stationary. The fix, two screws, a dremel tool and a piece of plywood. It took about 2 hours to cut the piece to the right shape and with the proper holes (3 of them) for the arm rod to fit correctly. The screws were used to secure the piece of wood to the gear. This is not the best fix in the world for this but like I said I had nothing to loose and now I can justify getting a chrome exhaust plate to put between the pipes on my Corsa's! From what I 've been told, the rubber did serve a purpose. It absorbed the impact from the arm hitting the stopping pieces on the assembly. I imagine the gear will eventually break but its held up for two months now so keep your fingers crossed! (Drive at night alot). Hope this helps someone!
Stephen

 

The dealer commented on the fact that the 1999+ model had the older style headlight and the whole unit had to get replaced. I guess the guys that make the headlight got smart and enclosed the unit so they could hit us for another couple hundred dollars for a POS part.

What is involved in getting a recall implemented? I mean I did a quick search on the boards and seems like ALOT of people have had this problem and its BS that I should have to pay for something that wasn't meant to last in the first place because of shoddy design and work.

 

Yeah, I wish you had taken pictures too.. :) Thanks for the description. I 'think' I have an idea what you were describing..