When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hello, all. I'm new here and excited to work with anyone who can help me with my specific problems!
My 1998 Chevrolet Corvette (C5) headlights don't work properly. With the battery plugged in, which is a functional battery, by the way (it starts and drives), if I turn the switch on the turn signal stalk/multi-switch to turn the headlights on, nothing happens. The first click does turn on the daytime lights, but the second click to turn on the headlights doesn't do anything. However, I found that if the battery is disconnected, and I turn the switch all the way, and then reconnect the battery, there's a spark and the headlights pop up, but the lights don't come on. I can turn the switch off which closes the doors, but I can't open the doors again through the switch. Also, the high beams do not work if I push in the switch to turn them on, but if I pull it back (which is called the flash-to-pass feature), they'll come on as long as I'm pulling it back.
I checked the fuses with a multimeter and they seem okay (reading 00.0 at the 20k setting). I have yet to check the headlight control module itself, as I have no knowledge of how to do that.
Any ideas?
Last edited by RiverBoy; May 19, 2025 at 10:09 AM.
I found that if the battery is disconnected, and I turn the switch all the way, and then reconnect the battery, there's a spark and the headlights pop up, but the lights don't come on. I can turn the switch off which turns the headlights off, but I can't turn them back on.
You just stated the headlights do not come on at all, but then you state you can't turn them back on. Do the lights turn on or not?
If you can read schematics and have a DMM, you can isolate your problem. I encourage you do use the search function. 20 years of reading on this topic.
Here is your wiring for your headlight circuit…if you can’t read this schematic I highly advise you to seek out an electrical professional…unfortunately we can’t guide you step by step.
I'm a bit excited and anxious about driving it. I just bought it 2 weeks ago and the required registration papers should come soon, so I want to make sure it's all good and safe to drive. Going to get some engine codes pulled first thing. That should help me diagnose something, right?
Pulling “engine” codes aren’t going to give you any direction on a lighting circuit which are “B” or body codes…I don’t even think there are any DTC’s related to headlights…you can use the cars “built in code reader” through the DIC…my advise is to save your pennies and get yourself an aftermarket bidirectional scan tool if you want to diagnose your car…they are less than $500.00 these days….if you have a DVOM get some 4mm banana jack leads along with some back and piercing probes and alligator clips…a cheap “amp clamp” is another good piece of equipment to have…all these can be purchased on Amazon…BTW we use a 12 volt test light to check fuses and not a multimeter…you can buy one of these too.
More money to spend. Okay, thank you.
I bought the car from an auction, so I feel pulling codes wouldn't hurt either way.
Yes, go a pull codes but trouble codes aren’t part numbers…if you diagnose correctly you spend $100.00…you throw parts at it and you may spend $1000.00 and it still may not be fixed…good luck !!
I found a used bidirectional scan tool on eBay for about $100 that claims to connect to my phone where I can control certain functions, such as activating the headlights, from the app. Does this seem like a good thing to try out? Can't hurt, right?
I found a used bidirectional scan tool on eBay for about $100 that claims to connect to my phone where I can control certain functions, such as activating the headlights, from the app. Does this seem like a good thing to try out? Can't hurt, right?
Ok...but you did not have to spend a dime to check your codes.....
Pulling codes will be the first thing I do later after work. You've made me aware it won't really help the headlight issue, but I figure since I got it from an auction, changing all fluids and pulling codes are good maintenance tasks, just to make sure it's at least road worthy
I found a used bidirectional scan tool on eBay for about $100 that claims to connect to my phone where I can control certain functions, such as activating the headlights, from the app. Does this seem like a good thing to try out? Can't hurt, right?
Do yourself a favor and use a burner phone for all those sketchy apps. No reason for them to have access to your real phone that probably has all your contacts, banking info, healthcare data, etc.
I think I the same issue on my 1999 C5 after it being parked in the garage a long time, maybe a couple of years.
The headlights wouldn’t turn on, on the first drive after pulling car out of storage and the sun was setting turned on lights and they didn’t pop up, luckily was close to home not on a road trip!
In my case I think the headlight switch was maybe gummed up inside from lack of use, found if I turned the switch from off to headlights on quickly the lights would come on, sometimes it took 2 or 3 tries twisting it kind of quick, then they would pop up.
Eventually the issue went away and being lazy never investigated farther.
Strange and unique headlight issue
