headlight
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 1,182
From: Conyers Georgia
headlight
I'm still learning the ins and outs of my recently purchased C5. One thing I noticed is when I turn the headlight switch to the first detent, my headlights pop up. Shouldn't they remain closed until I move the switch to headlamp?????
Night Owl for life
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
I believe that's a symptom of the gears going bad. It's been a while since I dug into that issue but I seem to remember that was a side effect.
You can get brass gears and put them in your 20yr old motor housings or you can press the easy button and get new motors which come with new gears to last you another 20yrs. I've tried both methods and while a metal gear can last a long time, the motors themselves are still old and can exhibit their own problems (mine did)
Putting in brand new motors made the headlights pop up quietly and travel smoothly just like a new car
You can get brass gears and put them in your 20yr old motor housings or you can press the easy button and get new motors which come with new gears to last you another 20yrs. I've tried both methods and while a metal gear can last a long time, the motors themselves are still old and can exhibit their own problems (mine did)
Putting in brand new motors made the headlights pop up quietly and travel smoothly just like a new car
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 1,182
From: Conyers Georgia
Funny you should mention that. I'm bringing it to my local Corvette shop in two weeks to replace the gears because the pass side continues to run on for a few seconds. Since this is going to be a weekend only driver and will rarely see nightime I'll stick with just the gears.
Thanks JDM!!!!!!!
Thanks JDM!!!!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
Not so sure about it being the gears. When the switch is moved to the headlight setting, that's the point at which the motors to raise the lights get power applied And they don't go down until you turn all the lights off - again a shot of power is needed to bring them down.
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Night Owl for life
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,705
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From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
$40 bucks each. R & R is free. I swapped mine three years ago and actually bought another pair of motors to keep for the shelf when these ones go in in 17 years
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-Headligh...edirect=mobile
Night Owl for life
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,705
Likes: 4,549
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
Not so sure about it being the gears. When the switch is moved to the headlight setting, that's the point at which the motors to raise the lights get power applied And they don't go down until you turn all the lights off - again a shot of power is needed to bring them down.
Here's a fun discussion on the headlights popping up with the first click as a symptom of bad gears
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...round-2-a.html
Pro
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2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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The 2001 I had the passenger side lagged a bit behind on up and down, but they worked fine. That one had a ton of electrical issues though which is partly why I got rid of it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
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From: Midland TX
I bought my 2001 new in 2000. About year 3, the gear stripped on the right side making a terrible noise. They replaced it under warranty. A couple years later I swapped my stock plastic headlights for the all metal and glass GM Euro versions (much heavier), and yet have not had a single issue since (on borrowed time I am sure). What is amazing is that I drive almost exclusively at night (every night) and that left motor has been going 23 years!
Both my lights have always moved in unison.
Both my lights have always moved in unison.
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