Headlight Shake
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 269
From: Bucks County PA
Headlight Shake
I'm fairly new here so if I'm posting this in the incorrect location, I apologize in advance.
I purchased a 2016 Z06 about two months ago and have since then driven a total of 1400 miles. Many of my miles are at night as that is when I can drive the car and I am plagued by something that actually makes me not want to drive the car, at night anyway. The headlight "light" as it illuminates the roadway shakes and dances on the road surface independent of the vehicle motion any time I drive over an imperfection in the roadway surface.
If I use my fingers to "drumroll" on the fender, the light emitted from the headlight assembly will flicker/dance on what ever surface it is reflecting off of so it doesn't even require me driving on a rough road to duplicate this.
The dealer confirmed this wih a new Vette and consequently deemed it as "working as designed" so they won't address it. Many members here have expressed having this issue as well so perhaps it can be something the forum can ask of GM and get an answer.
I purchased a 2016 Z06 about two months ago and have since then driven a total of 1400 miles. Many of my miles are at night as that is when I can drive the car and I am plagued by something that actually makes me not want to drive the car, at night anyway. The headlight "light" as it illuminates the roadway shakes and dances on the road surface independent of the vehicle motion any time I drive over an imperfection in the roadway surface.
If I use my fingers to "drumroll" on the fender, the light emitted from the headlight assembly will flicker/dance on what ever surface it is reflecting off of so it doesn't even require me driving on a rough road to duplicate this.
The dealer confirmed this wih a new Vette and consequently deemed it as "working as designed" so they won't address it. Many members here have expressed having this issue as well so perhaps it can be something the forum can ask of GM and get an answer.
Last edited by ZenicaPA; Apr 16, 2016 at 11:10 PM. Reason: typo
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
I'm fairly new here so if I'm posting this in the incorrect location, I apologize in advance.
I purchased a 2016 Z06 about two months ago and have since then driven a total of 1400 miles. Many of my miles are at night as that is when I can drive the car and I am plagued by something that actually makes me not want to drive the car, at night anyway. The headlight "light" as it illuminates the roadway shakes and dances on the road surface independent of the vehicle motion any time I drive over an imperfection in the roadway surface.
If I use my fingers to "drumroll" on the fender, the light emitted from the headlight assembly will flicker/dance on what ever surface it is reflecting off of so it doesn't even require me driving on a rough road to duplicate this.
The dealer confirmed this wih a new Vette and consequently deemed it as "working as designed" so they won't address it. Many members here have expressed having this issue as well so perhaps it can be something the forum can ask of GM and get an answer.
I purchased a 2016 Z06 about two months ago and have since then driven a total of 1400 miles. Many of my miles are at night as that is when I can drive the car and I am plagued by something that actually makes me not want to drive the car, at night anyway. The headlight "light" as it illuminates the roadway shakes and dances on the road surface independent of the vehicle motion any time I drive over an imperfection in the roadway surface.
If I use my fingers to "drumroll" on the fender, the light emitted from the headlight assembly will flicker/dance on what ever surface it is reflecting off of so it doesn't even require me driving on a rough road to duplicate this.
The dealer confirmed this wih a new Vette and consequently deemed it as "working as designed" so they won't address it. Many members here have expressed having this issue as well so perhaps it can be something the forum can ask of GM and get an answer.
Last edited by 3 Z06ZR1; Apr 17, 2016 at 02:22 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 269
From: Bucks County PA
I have been looking at the lights at night and mine seems solid with the car. The car hits a bump the light may rise and lower but it is from the car being taught. Mine doesn't do a loose jiggle like some describe. Not too many are complaining threads come and only a couple seem to have an issue.
Others have expressed irritation with the seat warmer yet mine get toasty just fine. It seems consistency is something the factory has to work on....the other thread discussing BG might have a point!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,729
Likes: 1,508
From: Redmond WA
Mine seem solid. Weird that its car to car.
When I watched the "How's it made" one of the last things they do is align the headlights. There's not something they could forget to "lock back down" when they're done, is there? Like something you have to retighten on the lamp housing to prevent it shaking?
Any time one car is different than another I look for the human factor... now if that lady had a uniform :-)
When I watched the "How's it made" one of the last things they do is align the headlights. There's not something they could forget to "lock back down" when they're done, is there? Like something you have to retighten on the lamp housing to prevent it shaking?
Any time one car is different than another I look for the human factor... now if that lady had a uniform :-)
Last edited by davepl; Apr 17, 2016 at 11:48 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,162
Likes: 338
From: Fair Oaks, California
2017 C7 of the Year Finalist
I noticed it when it was new. hadn't lately, must be use to it.
Been talked of before.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...eadlights.html
Been talked of before.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...eadlights.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,361
Likes: 4,800
From: West Burbs of Chicago IL
Shaky tail light
No headlight dance, but my rear drivers side tail light has atleast two screws missing. The dealer confirmed this (you can see the empty holes though the louvered fascia, and it moved quite a bit) but said a fix would require completely removing the bumper to access the mounting screws from behind.
On my own, I was able to remove the carbon flash fascia around the tail light (thanks YouTube!) and painstakingly attached one of the missing screws. This reduced the tail light movement significantly. While I can not reach the third, I have decided I do not want the bumper removed for fear of paint damage or lingering squeaks.
Other than this tail light, it's one of (if not the) tightest, quietest and most solid Corvettes I've owned. It would drive me bat sh*t if pursuit of one screw generated a nuisance squeak.
Gratefully it is not a light that I actively see while driving, so my OCD is going to have to take a back seat on this one.
On my own, I was able to remove the carbon flash fascia around the tail light (thanks YouTube!) and painstakingly attached one of the missing screws. This reduced the tail light movement significantly. While I can not reach the third, I have decided I do not want the bumper removed for fear of paint damage or lingering squeaks.
Other than this tail light, it's one of (if not the) tightest, quietest and most solid Corvettes I've owned. It would drive me bat sh*t if pursuit of one screw generated a nuisance squeak.
Gratefully it is not a light that I actively see while driving, so my OCD is going to have to take a back seat on this one.
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 133
Likes: 7
Originally Posted by DAVE396LT1
Mine seem solid. Weird that its car to car.
When I watched the "How's it made" one of the last things they do is align the headlights. There's not something they could forget to "lock back down" when they're done, is there? Like something you have to retighten on the lamp housing to prevent it shaking?
Any time one car is different than another I look for the human factor... now if that lady had a uniform :-)
When I watched the "How's it made" one of the last things they do is align the headlights. There's not something they could forget to "lock back down" when they're done, is there? Like something you have to retighten on the lamp housing to prevent it shaking?
Any time one car is different than another I look for the human factor... now if that lady had a uniform :-)
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 520
Likes: 2
From: TN
The headlight "light" as it illuminates the roadway shakes and dances on the road surface independent of the vehicle motion any time I drive over an imperfection in the roadway surface.
If I use my fingers to "drumroll" on the fender, the light emitted from the headlight assembly will flicker/dance on what ever surface it is reflecting off of so it doesn't even require me driving on a rough road to duplicate this.
If I use my fingers to "drumroll" on the fender, the light emitted from the headlight assembly will flicker/dance on what ever surface it is reflecting off of so it doesn't even require me driving on a rough road to duplicate this.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,729
Likes: 1,508
From: Redmond WA
One thing to keep in mind is that the cutoff line on these lights is VERY crisp, so if you're not used to LED or good HID, you might be surprised. It will then -look- like it's moving a lot more than it would if it were a "blurry" cutoff line.
Doesn't mean it's not annoying though.
Doesn't mean it's not annoying though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 608
From: Dallas Georgia
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
C3 of Year Winner (track prepared) 2019
I have tried to look for this at night to see what everyone is talking about but simply don't see it in my 16Z. As previously mentioned, when the car hits a bump or dip the lights do move and the Projector Cut-off is much more noticeable than a car with halogens so maybe that is what people see? The bulb should not "float" in the housing in any way that allows it to move around uncontrollably.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 269
From: Bucks County PA
One thing to keep in mind is that the cutoff line on these lights is VERY crisp, so if you're not used to LED or good HID, you might be surprised. It will then -look- like it's moving a lot more than it would if it were a "blurry" cutoff line.
Doesn't mean it's not annoying though.
Doesn't mean it's not annoying though.
All were Acura vehicles and the TSX has some of the best damn headlights I've ever had the pleasure of using. A razor sharp perfectly cut cutoff line that seems to slice the road where it intersects. I am used to that light dancing off the road what seems like a half mile away in response to me going over bumps but that "dance" is always in a vertical line with the headlight, never side to side. With my Z06, the light moves side to side in addition to vertically away from the car. So it's almost moving in a circular pattern.
I have tried to look for this at night to see what everyone is talking about but simply don't see it in my 16Z. As previously mentioned, when the car hits a bump or dip the lights do move and the Projector Cut-off is much more noticeable than a car with halogens so maybe that is what people see? The bulb should not "float" in the housing in any way that allows it to move around uncontrollably.
I duplicated this light dance with the highs on as well so the cover isn't what is causing this issue. It almost seems as if fender when going over bumps is transferring motion to the headlight and thus, the light.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,394
Likes: 281
From: cumming ga
Bulbs are loose in housing or filaments not attached in bulb good.
Take wheel off remove cover and check bulb socketsgoinginto head lights. It is possible that more than one car experience this say a whole run of lights made it out of supplier this way.
z51vett
Doug
Take wheel off remove cover and check bulb socketsgoinginto head lights. It is possible that more than one car experience this say a whole run of lights made it out of supplier this way.
z51vett
Doug
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 133
Likes: 7
It does seem strange that we are only a few with these problems. My light bounces several times after hitting a big dingle bump. It will continue to "bounce" even when the car has stabilized.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 269
From: Bucks County PA
Given the relatively small number of affected vehicles and my personal experience with GM as well as GM's general position of defects, ie: ignition problems, I am not hopeful of them actually fixing this in my Z06. I just won't drive at night or I might be tempted to fix it myself only to have GM void my factory and ESP warranties. Nothing like getting thanked for doing someone else's job.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 854
Likes: 302
My car (14) has some headlight jitter. I think it is simply some flex in the bodywork. My light housings are nice and tight. My last car (not a Vette) had pop up headlights and some jitter was inherent in that design so I'm kind of used to it. Perhaps this was noticed in design but the cost and weight penalty made addressing it a non starter. Not sure if that was the best decision as these type of things are what often define "quality". My P car friend noted his car does not do this. Then again, I don't have intermittent warning lights that come on/off for no reason.
Cruising
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Austin Texas
Any Luck?
I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to see if anyone ever figured out a solution to this. I just picked up a 16 model yesterday and it has the driver side dancing headlight. It’s very annoying and I’m hoping there is an easy fix.