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hello everyone, i have searched before posting this, here it goes so i was driving my 99 c5 coupe down the highway when i attempted to put down the headlights the driver side went down but the passenger side did not but then it all of a sudden did. well while parked i tried opening them and the driver side went up but the passenger side did not, i watched the motor spin but the headlight didnt move. here is the odd part i am able to lift the headlight up by hand like i can just pull it up regardless if they are on or not but it will not stay up there is no resistance or anything holding it up and the only way to get it to stay up is by propping something underneath it. anyone ever have this issue or know what it could be i do not believe it is the gears because it is not showing any signs of what i read of people running into gear issues mines different to where its like there is nothing holding it up or lifting it up anymore but i can lift up by hand and let go and it falls straight down.
...I watched the motor spin but the headlight didnt move. here is the odd part i am able to lift the headlight up by hand like i can just pull it up regardless if they are on or not but it will not stay up there is no resistance or anything holding it up and the only way to get it to stay up is by propping something underneath it... ...its like there is nothing holding it up or lifting it up anymore but i can lift up by hand and let go and it falls straight down.
Probably the lever that attaches to the motor shaft got disconnected.
If the linkage is fine and nothing seems out of place, it might be that the plastic gear in the headlight motor is damaged. If the gear completely lost its teeth, there would be no gear-to-worm engagement and that would produce a "free" bucket that could be moved by hand. This plastic gear is a known point of failure.
If you decide to go after the gear, 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.
Probably the lever that attaches to the motor shaft got disconnected.
If the linkage is fine and nothing seems out of place, it might be that the plastic gear in the headlight motor is damaged. If the gear completely lost its teeth, there would be no gear-to-worm engagement and that would produce a "free" bucket that could be moved by hand. This plastic gear is a known point of failure.
If you decide to go after the gear, 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.
where Is the lever that attaches to the motor shaft located?
where Is the lever that attaches to the motor shaft located?
Look for the headlight motor shaft and follow it. The lever is attached to it's end (take a look to both headlights motors so you can compare).
The shaft comes out of the gearbox and has 2 flat surfaces just before a threaded end. The lever is inserted into the flat surfaces of the shaft and it is secured in place by a nut. Probably the nut fell off and the lever got disengaged.
I'll see if I can find a picture or diagram.
Here you go. I edited this exploded view to highlight the motor shaft, the lever and how they are attached:
Look for the headlight motor shaft and follow it. The lever is attached to it's end (take a look to both headlights motors so you can compare).
The shaft comes out of the gearbox and has 2 flat surfaces just before a threaded end. The lever is inserted into the flat surfaces of the shaft and it is secured in place by a nut. Probably the nut fell off and the lever got disengaged.
I'll see if I can find a picture or diagram.
I will see if I can locate it tonight, and that would be extremely helpful thank you!.
c5 headlight issue manually can lift
