C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

2000 C5 Headlight motor issues

Old Jun 5, 2020 | 03:14 PM
  #1  
jmeese10's Avatar
jmeese10
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
 
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default 2000 C5 Headlight motor issues

I have replaced a passenger side headlight motor. Upon replacement the unit worked for about 2 days. Now the unit only works if I spin the dial about 1/8 of an inch (either direction) before starting the vehicle. Then the light will go up and down until the vehicle is turned off. Trouble shooting steps I have taken:
Cleaned ground points in the engine compartment.
Tried reversing the connections of the motor

Is there some adjustment that I am missing on the headlight itself? I am at a loss any suggestions?
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2020 | 03:41 PM
  #2  
v6turbo87's Avatar
v6turbo87
Pro
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 524
Likes: 126
From: Sandown NH
Default

Are the rubber bump stops missing by any chance? That can cause issues

Reply
Old Jun 5, 2020 | 03:46 PM
  #3  
jmeese10's Avatar
jmeese10
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
 
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default

no they are there and in good shape
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2020 | 05:09 PM
  #4  
jjc508520's Avatar
jjc508520
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,462
Likes: 460
From: East Windsor NJ
Default

Do you have conventional headlights - or "low-resistance aftermarket?"
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2020 | 05:24 PM
  #5  
GCG's Avatar
GCG
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
Default

Originally Posted by jmeese10
I have replaced a passenger side headlight motor. Upon replacement the unit worked for about 2 days. Now the unit only works if I spin the dial about 1/8 of an inch (either direction) before starting the vehicle. Then the light will go up and down until the vehicle is turned off...
What you are describing are classical symptoms of damaged/missing rubber bump stops (it could also be that they are scored too deep). There are 4 per side: the 2 shown in the picture above, plus another 2 marked in the diagram below as number "4". Most probably your problem is being caused by the ones shown in the diagram (even though they might look fine to the naked eye). I suggest replacing those 2 bump stops in both sides. They can be ordered here.

In addition to that, there is a TSB for the driver's side headlight motor that calls for shimming it (number 2 in diagram below).



​​​​​
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 2000 C5 Headlight motor issues



Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:30 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-1
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE