Radioflyer ACA Headlights - Problems After Install
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 601
Likes: 494
From: Stockton, CA
Radioflyer ACA Headlights - Problems After Install
Installed my new ACA headlights yesterday....wow, what a difference....they light up the night! (Thanks George!). However I'm now having an issue with the motor on the drivers side. It keeps running for ~5 seconds after the headlight has been lowered....makes a god awful grinding noise. Is there some sort of adjustment that I may have screwed up when installing the lights, or is there an adjustment I can make so the motor recognizes that the lights have been lowered and will shut off?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Sounds like your plastic gear is shot. I and others have posted how-to's for replacing the gear with a metal version. some simply open the gearbox cover and rotate the gear 180 deg. but, eventually, that will wear out as well.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...orialized.html
Newer versions require the process I show to gain access to the gear while older model years can have a cover that is screwed in place rather than permanently sealed.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...orialized.html
Newer versions require the process I show to gain access to the gear while older model years can have a cover that is screwed in place rather than permanently sealed.
Last edited by Patches; Dec 28, 2018 at 02:20 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
It seems you probably have a broken plastic 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.
It would be wise to replace as well the rubber bump stops in both sides (#4 in diagram below). You can get them here.
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 (#2 in diagram below).
Last edited by GCG; Dec 28, 2018 at 07:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 601
Likes: 494
From: Stockton, CA
Also, a few other issues. When I turn the headlight switch to the parking lights, the headlights pop up but do not come on. Prior to this, only the parking lights would come on but the headlights would not pop up.
Another issue is when opening the car door with the headlights off, I get a security message on the display and the chime is beeping. If I turn the headlights on and then off, it cancels, but repeats again a few hours later.
Things that make you go "Hmmmmm?"
Another issue is when opening the car door with the headlights off, I get a security message on the display and the chime is beeping. If I turn the headlights on and then off, it cancels, but repeats again a few hours later.
Things that make you go "Hmmmmm?"
Last edited by StocktonC7GS; Dec 28, 2018 at 09:47 PM.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,079
Likes: 24,732
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Moved to C5 Tech.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
One of the quirks that happens when installing HIDs or LEDs into a C5. It confuses the HCM (headlight control module). Some people have reported success with these things:
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,547
Likes: 896
From: Republic of Texas
Also, a few other issues. When I turn the headlight switch to the parking lights, the headlights pop up but do not come on. Prior to this, only the parking lights would come on but the headlights would not pop up.
Another issue is when opening the car door with the headlights off, I get a security message on the display and the chime is beeping. If I turn the headlights on and then off, it cancels, but repeats again a few hours later.
Things that make you go "Hmmmmm?"
Another issue is when opening the car door with the headlights off, I get a security message on the display and the chime is beeping. If I turn the headlights on and then off, it cancels, but repeats again a few hours later.
Things that make you go "Hmmmmm?"
as far as the chime, that sounds like another multifuntion switch issue. (The MF switch is a MF :P)
