C5 Headlight door not opening
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,587
Likes: 1,352
From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
I had the same problem. As suggested above, try and turn the **** on the motor by hand just slightly and see if then it will go up the rest of the way electrically.
Mine had a bad gear. I replaced the gear, put everything back together, and all was good.
Mine had a bad gear. I replaced the gear, put everything back together, and all was good.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Will the headlight open after you turn the manual control **** slightly?
Could be the plastic gear is history or it could be a missing or damaged close bump stop:
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...80fd5629b7.jpg
Could be the plastic gear is history or it could be a missing or damaged close bump stop:
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...80fd5629b7.jpg
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
I have had that same problem 2X with the right headlamp. The first time I just replaced the nylon gear but the gearbox cracked open after several months of driving; evidently the epoxy didn't adhere enough. The second time I just ordered and replaced the headlamp gear assembly and have had no problems since. There are several videos on youtube.com on how to replace it yourself. If I can do it I am sure you can. Good Luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
Here are some links to help you out: get a kit like this one (pay attention because there are 2 different kits: one for "97 to early 2000" and another for "late 2000 to 2004") and follow these step-by-step directions. You'll save money and they will last forever
You might need these as well (the rubber bump stops).
There is a TSB, that calls for shimming the driver's side motor. The parts needed for this are included in the above mentioned kit.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 139
Likes: 3
From: Warrington, Pennsylvania
Been there; done that!
I had the same problem with my ‘01 ‘vert several years ago. Right side only. I removed the motor assembly, and found half of the actuator gear to be stripped. Since the gear is toothed all the way around but only uses half of that, I was able to flip the gear to place the unused side in play and then reassembled the unit. Perfect to this day! Good luck!
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,984
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
To help prevent that there are kits that include a metal T brace.
As mentioned above, it seems the plastic gear is the problem.
Here are some links to help you out: get a kit like this one (pay attention because there are 2 different kits: one for "97 to early 2000" and another for "late 2000 to 2004") and follow these step-by-step directions. You'll save money and they will last forever
You might need these as well (the rubber bump stops).
There is a TSB, that calls for shimming the driver's side motor. The parts needed for this are included in the above mentioned kit.
As mentioned above, it seems the plastic gear is the problem.
Here are some links to help you out: get a kit like this one (pay attention because there are 2 different kits: one for "97 to early 2000" and another for "late 2000 to 2004") and follow these step-by-step directions. You'll save money and they will last forever
You might need these as well (the rubber bump stops).
There is a TSB, that calls for shimming the driver's side motor. The parts needed for this are included in the above mentioned kit.
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