Headlamp issues
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 63
Likes: 2
From: Beverly Hills MI
Headlamp issues
I have a 2005 Z51, driver side low beam is out. Jumping off the cliff I assumed it was the light so I ordered two, they came I plugged the new one in, nothing. So I got a little smarter, I swapped the light with the right side and it worked so the lamp was good. Next on the list I assumed it was the ballast, ordered a new one after all what else could it be.....ballast arrived and nothing.....of course I was not smart enough to swap out the right side to see if it was working.
So at this point I have a new ballast and new lights (I am telling myself that I will eventually need these replacement parts but feel free to post the dumb *** comments...) I have swapped the fuses so I know they are good, examined the wiring harness and I can not see any kinks or cuts. The only other thing I can think of is the wire that goes from the ballast to the lamp, but I can not imagine that this wire would ever go bad and it is in perfect shape. (Don't have a tester)
So can anyone add insight to any other possible causes or any experience with the wire needing replacing. Really would like to avoid the dealership.
So at this point I have a new ballast and new lights (I am telling myself that I will eventually need these replacement parts but feel free to post the dumb *** comments...) I have swapped the fuses so I know they are good, examined the wiring harness and I can not see any kinks or cuts. The only other thing I can think of is the wire that goes from the ballast to the lamp, but I can not imagine that this wire would ever go bad and it is in perfect shape. (Don't have a tester)
So can anyone add insight to any other possible causes or any experience with the wire needing replacing. Really would like to avoid the dealership.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 82
Likes: 3
i have a 2005 too and having driver side headlight issues too when i start the car the light flashes on once then immediately cuts out. I haven't tried swapping anything yet, i heard working on the head lights is a PITA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 257
From: Tampa FL
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 15,064
Likes: 4,746
From: Washington Township Michigan
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
if you haven't had this performed it IS the most likely issue.............
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 15,064
Likes: 4,746
From: Washington Township Michigan
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
don't know if you were going to attempt any repairs yourself or not, but the attachment is on How to Remove the Headlights............ not all these steps required to access the bulbs though.......... ballasts are on the bottom of the assembly though.............
Last edited by rkj427; Dec 1, 2018 at 11:18 PM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 63
Likes: 2
From: Beverly Hills MI
I had this done as soon as the recall came out, however since you mentioned I would think that both lamps would go out if this was an issue.
Does anyone have thoughts on this?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 63
Likes: 2
From: Beverly Hills MI
The ballast was a bit more of a challenge as the wires are not that long and getting them disconnected and reattached is tricky.
Mine does not flash just does not come on. I think I am going to take this to the dealer as I am out of ideas. I will keep you posted on what the problem is as I am sure we have similar issues.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 63
Likes: 2
From: Beverly Hills MI
I did figure out how to get everything off, I did see to leave the last fender bolt in to keep the spacing, something that I did not do, good trick.
Weather should be good for the next couple of days so I am going to head to the dealer. I am sure this is something more involved like a bad wire or connection that would take me a month to locate.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 63
Likes: 2
From: Beverly Hills MI
Update to all, took it to the dealer and it was determined that the terminal ends were corroded so both sides were replaced. I have not seen any posts with this issue so hopefully this is isolated to my case.
