Closing Headlamps C5

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Aug 3, 2019 | 07:00 AM

wjb50675

Thread Starter

7th Gear

Joined: Sep 2015

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Closing Headlamps C5

Inquiring about a 2002 C5. Raising the headlamps is fine, while they are raised is also fine, the problem is when they are switched off for closing the drivers side makes a loud buzzing sound for at least 5 seconds then it will close. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks Bill B

Aug 3, 2019 | 09:24 AM

Carmine97

Drifting

Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 1,390

Likes: 110

From: Cincinnati OH

Cruise-In I Veteran

Common problem.

Sorry, but you get to replace the headlight motor assembly.

You've chipped a tooth.

You can try just replacing the gear but getting the case re-sealed is problematic on later C5's

Aug 3, 2019 | 10:52 AM

Denny Kohlman

Instructor

Joined: Jan 2018

Posts: 173

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From: Blissfield Michigan

There is a video on how to change the gear. The gear runs between $15-50 depending on weather you replace it with a plastic or brass gear. I forum member sent me the instructions on how to rotate the arm (since you only use 50% of the gear) to use the good side. If you do this you do not have to take the motor apart and glue it back together. I do not drive mine at night very often and therefore it could be a quick fix.

Aug 3, 2019 | 10:57 AM

GCG

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 3,275

Likes: 739

From: Miami FL

It seems you probably have a broken plastic gear. The only doubt I have is that you describe the noise as a loud buzzing, while I would say a broken plastic gear sounds more like a loud "rat-tat-tat".

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.

This kit includes a steel T- Brace with plastic bushing to reinforce the motor after glueing back the cover. It is designed to take away the forces from the gearbox plastic cover, especially each time the motor reaches its travel ends (which are hit very hard). It prevents the glue from failing.

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; Aug 3, 2019 at 11:13 AM.

Aug 3, 2019 | 11:22 PM

Vetteman Jack

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Aug 4, 2019 | 10:55 AM

Ed Ramberger

Drifting

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 1,692

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From: Denver, NC

Rebuilding these motors and sealing them is cake. Order the Rodney Dickman Kit with the brass gear. Superb instructions and well thought out. Order 2 kits right away. I ordered one and sure enough the other motor wasn't far behind. Especially if Twilight Sentinel has been engaged.
Kit comes with everything needed plus extra supporting hardware that should have been there from factory, plus epoxy to seal the motor. GREAT KIT

As noted above either buy new bumpstops or be prepared to flip them around and glue them down - they take a beating.

http://rodneydickman.com/catalog/pro...products_id=92

Last edited by Ed Ramberger; Aug 4, 2019 at 10:58 AM.

Aug 5, 2019 | 09:44 PM

Bills01vett

Instructor

Joined: Jun 2019

Posts: 181

Likes: 24

From: Cape Coral

Tonight I turned my headlights on and off several times while adjusting the backlight on my new pioneer stereo. While doing so my driver side headlight stopped raising up.

This happened one other time with my right headlight when I set my options to twilight on my dash, I turned it off and it worked. However, it’s not set this time. Any ideas?

Aug 6, 2019 | 07:23 AM

Bills01vett

Instructor

Joined: Jun 2019

Posts: 181

Likes: 24

From: Cape Coral

This morning I turned on my headlights and they both worked normal. Could the headlight motors (drivers side) overheat from turning them on and off while I was trying to adjust my backlighting on my stereo?