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Topic: Headlights won't close

in Forum: C4 Electrical

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Headlights won't close (1/10)
4/1/17 10:13am

Chvyc
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Bellport, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1984 c4

Joined: 4/1/2017
Posts: 2

Hi I have a 84 c4 Borge headlights are stuck up but Still turn on and off with the switch. Can both motors Blow at the same time?

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Re: Headlights won't close (2/10)
4/2/17 1:45pm

russ1953
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Sebring, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1987 Red Roadster Automatic (SOLD 4/4/23) it will be missed. 2004 Yellow Coupe 6 speed 2014 Red Convertible Z51 3LT

Joined: 7/16/2016
Posts: 18

This is where I would start:

check the relays (in the left front in the section below the headlight on an 87 bolted to the lower wheel house)

There is a small box covering all 3, one for each motor and the other is called the isolation relay

Remove the two bolts holding the cover on to the small box.

Al three relays are identical and can be swapped for testing.

I had to clean the connectors to the relays and now they work fine.

I unplugged each connector and sprayed it with electrical cleaner.

I also cleaned the relay outside with cleaner.

Also check the fuses and fusible links feeding the relays.

They are located near the battery box on an 87

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Re: Headlights won't close (3/10)
4/2/17 2:40pm

Chvyc
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Bellport, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1984 c4

Joined: 4/1/2017
Posts: 2

Thank you I'll start there

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Re: Headlights won't close (4/10)
4/2/17 6:35pm

Hot Rod Roy
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Mission Viejo, CA - USA

Vette(s):
Yellow '84 Coupe

Joined: 3/18/2015
Posts: 74

russ1953 said:

All three relays are identical and can be swapped for testing.

The three relays are NOT all the same. The two that have five pins are the same and can be traded, but the one with four pins (the "isolation" relay) cannot be moved.

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Re: Headlights won't close (5/10)
4/5/17 4:44pm

Dr. Mark Rogers
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Vette(s):
1978 Silver Anniversary Paint L-82 Engine, Automatic 1985 Coupe, 350 Engine, Automatic Painted Competition Yellow

Joined: 1/21/2014
Posts: 2

I disagree with Russ. All 3 relays are NOT the same. Physically, at first glance they look the same but the post configurations are different on one of them. One is called the "separation relay" and is a different pin configuration. The two others ARE the same and are called the headlight relays -- they can be interchanged for test purposes. The third one is called the separation relay. If it is blown it can affect the headlight also. Mine was the separation relay and the headlights (both) would come on but the passenger side would not swivel. (Had a real bright under the hood light though --Ha Ha). They are cheap to replace. You can do all three for around $100 and a few minutes time. Somebody already mentioned that the 3 relays are covered by a box about 4 inches wide and maybe 6 inches long to protect against weather. That box is right in front of the drivers side front tire. Go ahead and get your hands dirty -- its fun. Good luck

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Re: Headlights won't close (6/10)
4/5/17 5:39pm

OK I concede, I just looked at my car, I was working from memory of doing this last August on a 1987, I am 64, so forgive the recollection.

But with 2 the same you can still try to swap the plugs for testing.

I would still try to cleanup the connectors and check the fuses and fusible links as a starting point.

Again referencing a 1987 the fusible links are near the battery and the relays are on the driver's side front wheel house.

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Re: Headlights won't close (7/10)
4/7/17 11:09pm

Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine. 1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.

Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 2230

First look and see if the headlight MOTORS are even plugged in. It's possible the gears are stripped, and someone just raised them manually and left them after unplugging the harnesses.

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Joel Adams
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

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Re: Headlights won't close (8/10)
4/9/17 8:11pm

PoloGreen93
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Vette(s):
1993 coupe 100% original polo green

Joined: 7/26/2015
Posts: 34

Have a 93 and changed both headlight plastic gears and rollers , mine started with one headlight not closing all the way, so bought 2 repair kits , to my surprise , both headlight assemblies where shot really no big deal to fix . Look-up Chris fix on you tube , great video for rebuilding , will try to post a pic of mine before rebuild

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Re: Headlights won't close (9/10)
4/11/17 4:16pm

Hot Rod Roy
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Mission Viejo, CA - USA

Vette(s):
Yellow '84 Coupe

Joined: 3/18/2015
Posts: 74

PoloGreen93' said: Have a '93

Polo, Your '93 headlight motors are entirely different that Chvyc's '84. Corvette changed the headlight motor design in '88 to the later style motors.

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Re: Headlights won't close (10/10)
4/14/17 8:05pm

PoloGreen93
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Vette(s):
1993 coupe 100% original polo green

Joined: 7/26/2015
Posts: 34

Sorry bout that. Didn't mean to mislead anyone , just passing along a little how-to-do it My first bet was a '63 conv. And a pretty simple car to work on compared to this 93' but seriously . You TUBE AND ( Chris fix) has some good knowledgeable videos 😎😎😎😎😎😎😎

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