C5 Headlight Grinding Sound
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 22
Likes: 2
From: San Jose, CA
C5 Headlight Grinding Sound
Just got a 2001 C5 Coupe. When I turn the headlights on, they pop up without issue. When I turn them off, they drop down and then there’s a loud grinding sound for 3-4 seconds from the passenger side light area. Do I need a new headlight motor, or is there possibly a simpler repair? Thanks!
Night Owl for life
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,717
Likes: 4,556
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
replace the tired 20 year old motor assembly with a fresh pair of new motors...the new pair isn't all that expensive and should last another 2 decades 
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 22
Likes: 2
From: San Jose, CA
Thanks!
Looks like $160 for the pair of motor assemblies from Amazon, and $101 for the pair of gear kits from Rodney Dickman (including shipping): http://rodneydickman.com/product_inf...products_id=92
If I had more time on my hands I’d probably go for the gear replacement, but I’m thinking I’ll replace the entire motor assembly to save time.
Looks like $160 for the pair of motor assemblies from Amazon, and $101 for the pair of gear kits from Rodney Dickman (including shipping): http://rodneydickman.com/product_inf...products_id=92
If I had more time on my hands I’d probably go for the gear replacement, but I’m thinking I’ll replace the entire motor assembly to save time.
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 490
From: Denver, NC
Just be sure those are for Corvette. The F bodies have a different length shaft and if that is the case you will be taking the motors apart if you wish to keep them. I looked at the Amazon listing and they list for a corvette but picture a F body. I looked up the other wiper motors from that company and they have the same exact F body pictures but list for firebird.
Maybe JDM can verify they are correct.
Maybe JDM can verify they are correct.
Last edited by Ed Ramberger; Nov 6, 2021 at 09:17 PM.
Night Owl for life
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,717
Likes: 4,556
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
The bulb connections in the Amazon link appear to be from a C5.
The firebird bulb connections look quite different.
I went through the process of putting firebird motors in my c5 and it can be done you just have to swap some things around
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-tax-pics.html
The firebird bulb connections look quite different.
I went through the process of putting firebird motors in my c5 and it can be done you just have to swap some things around
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-tax-pics.html
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Night Owl for life
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,717
Likes: 4,556
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
If OP hasn't bought them already, here are a pair of new motors for $55 each
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 106
From: The Natures Coast/Caribbean
Thanks!
Looks like $160 for the pair of motor assemblies from Amazon, and $101 for the pair of gear kits from Rodney Dickman (including shipping): http://rodneydickman.com/product_inf...products_id=92
If I had more time on my hands I’d probably go for the gear replacement, but I’m thinking I’ll replace the entire motor assembly to save time.
Looks like $160 for the pair of motor assemblies from Amazon, and $101 for the pair of gear kits from Rodney Dickman (including shipping): http://rodneydickman.com/product_inf...products_id=92
If I had more time on my hands I’d probably go for the gear replacement, but I’m thinking I’ll replace the entire motor assembly to save time.
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On my 98, I replaced the gear with the brass replacement about 2 years ago on the driver side.
The motor was not glued together - it was serviceable, and not a tough job.
I still have the other metal gear in a box in the garage.. the passenger side has not failed yet!
Fred
The motor was not glued together - it was serviceable, and not a tough job.
I still have the other metal gear in a box in the garage.. the passenger side has not failed yet!
Fred