Closing Headlamps C5
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
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
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
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
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 173
Likes: 38
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.
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.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,360
Likes: 24,785
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 '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Moved to C5 Tech.
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 490
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
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.
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?
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?
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?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
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