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:

Shaky headlights

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 29, 2024 | 08:36 AM
  #1  
cdee63's Avatar
cdee63
Thread Starter
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Air Force
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 2,061
From: In the woods
2024 C5of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default Shaky headlights

I was following a friend this past weekend with the headlights on due to rain. He called later to tell me my headlights bounce a lot, something I have noticed on signs. The lights themselves seem not to be loose, however while trying to find some looseness somewhere I noticed the shaking seems to be coming from the bulb area itself. I have Sharp Light ACA Bi LED lights, I know they have no filaments but it does appear whatever emits the light from the inside the projector lens is doing the shaking. Is this normal? I do know it is easy to see an approaching Corvette with folding lights because they all shake a little but mine seem to do it a lot.... though I think the brightness and intensity of the lights cause this to be more noticeable.
Reply
Old May 29, 2024 | 12:04 PM
  #2  
MSG C5's Avatar
MSG C5
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,770
Likes: 3,700
From: The Sunshine State
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
Default

Originally Posted by cdee63
I was following a friend this past weekend with the headlights on due to rain. He called later to tell me my headlights bounce a lot, something I have noticed on signs. The lights themselves seem not to be loose, however while trying to find some looseness somewhere I noticed the shaking seems to be coming from the bulb area itself. I have Sharp Light ACA Bi LED lights, I know they have no filaments but it does appear whatever emits the light from the inside the projector lens is doing the shaking. Is this normal? I do know it is easy to see an approaching Corvette with folding lights because they all shake a little but mine seem to do it a lot.... though I think the brightness and intensity of the lights cause this to be more noticeable.
You will notice the shake with HID projectors more than you would with the OEM stock halogen reflective lights due mostly to the more intense light path of the HIDs and that fact that they have been retrofit into stock pop-up light mechanisms. That's also why it's important to make sure they are properly aimed to better light the road without blinding oncoming traffic if they are aimed too high.

I am also running the Sharp Light ACA Bi-Xenon kits with HID lows and LED highs and have noticed a slight jiggle when driving some local roads. I think the issue is just the result of the pop-up design as the lights are not fixed to the body of the car, rather the light housings are connected to the pop-up assemblies. I tried tightening as many connect points as possible and I still get some slight jiggle, even though it's better than before I made my adjustments.

The newer Sleepy Eye options are supposed to help with this.
Reply
Old May 29, 2024 | 05:37 PM
  #3  
cdee63's Avatar
cdee63
Thread Starter
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Air Force
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 2,061
From: In the woods
2024 C5of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

I notice it, doesn't bother me. Went out today, my lights are solid. I have yet to be flashed by an oncoming driver either. I'll just leave them alone. The outstanding light output easily outweighs any jiggling they may do IMO.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2024 | 08:49 AM
  #4  
CEZ's Avatar
CEZ
Intermediate
 
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 46
Likes: 14
From: Saudi Arabia
Default

Originally Posted by cdee63
I was following a friend this past weekend with the headlights on due to rain. He called later to tell me my headlights bounce a lot, something I have noticed on signs. The lights themselves seem not to be loose, however while trying to find some looseness somewhere I noticed the shaking seems to be coming from the bulb area itself. I have Sharp Light ACA Bi LED lights, I know they have no filaments but it does appear whatever emits the light from the inside the projector lens is doing the shaking. Is this normal? I do know it is easy to see an approaching Corvette with folding lights because they all shake a little but mine seem to do it a lot.... though I think the brightness and intensity of the lights cause this to be more noticeable.
Contact George, mine don’t do that.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2024 | 02:13 PM
  #5  
Davcruz's Avatar
Davcruz
Burning Brakes
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 780
Likes: 384
From: Old Dominion - VA
Default

My Sharp BI-LED do it as well. Annoying but everything is tight and no movement in the lights, must be the bulbs?
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2024 | 02:33 PM
  #6  
CEZ's Avatar
CEZ
Intermediate
 
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 46
Likes: 14
From: Saudi Arabia
Default

Originally Posted by Davcruz
My Sharp BI-LED do it as well. Annoying but everything is tight and no movement in the lights, must be the bulbs?
Mine are not.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2024 | 02:57 PM
  #7  
lucky131969's Avatar
lucky131969
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,493
Likes: 1,178
From: Dyer, IN
Default

Originally Posted by CEZ
Contact George, mine don’t do that.
If you have pop-up headlights, you sir have the most unique C5 in the world.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Shaky headlights





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:58 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE