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Topic: Noisy Headlight motor

in Forum: C4 Electrical


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Noisy Headlight motor (1/11)
 3/9/12 6:05pm
carlc1ny
Former Member

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Rome, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1995 coupe


Joined: 2/25/2012
Posts: 76

I recently purchased a 1995 Coupe and it has a noisy headlight motor. When you extend or retract the headlights the right (passenger side) headlight makes a "ratcheting" sound for approximately 5 seconds. It than stops and everything stays quiet and all is normal. Can anyone help me out on the possibilities? This is all new to me as a new Corvette owner.
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Re: Noisy Headlight motor (2/11)
 3/10/12 4:18pm
Trooper
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Hermitage, TN - USA

Vette(s):
1990 C-4 Coupe Polo Green Saddle Interior L-98


Joined: 8/8/2010
Posts: 280

Hey Carl,
We have another brand new owner with a 95 and the exact same problem, even the same light, and noise. His Name is Cowboy Joe, give him a shout as he is working on that now.
 
Trooper


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Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims https://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg

Re: Noisy Headlight motor (3/11)
 3/10/12 6:23pm
Leathellyle
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Los Angeles, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1995 LT-1


Joined: 2/27/2012
Posts: 3

My 1995 has the same problem, I hope some one can help, ThanksShocked

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Re: Noisy Headlight motor (4/11)
 3/14/12 4:57pm
Bob Cheek
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Joined: 6/9/2011
Posts: 22

The gearbox that rotates the headlamp assembly needs to be rebuilt.  There are three small Delrin bushings between the output shaft and the driven gear that over the years turn to dust.  You can buy the rebuild kits for about $20 from many of the Corvette parts suppliers.  It takes less than an hour per side to pull the headlamp assembly, disassemble and replace the gears and get it all put back together.  It isn't hard to do at all.  Takes a few basic tools.  




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Bob - '94 Polo Green Coupe

Road Atlanta
 
Re: Noisy Headlight motor (5/11)
 3/15/12 12:49am
Leathellyle
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Los Angeles, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1995 LT-1


Joined: 2/27/2012
Posts: 3

Thanks Bob
Hope I can help you in the future


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Re: Noisy Headlight motor (6/11)
 3/15/12 5:39am
CaledoniaBrian
Former Member

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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1988 Convertable


Joined: 11/3/2011
Posts: 150

Check out this video on the rebuild of headlamp system.......
 
 
 
hope this helps you out.


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Re: Noisy Headlight motor (7/11)
 3/15/12 3:19pm
jimmymack
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West Chester, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1995 Torch Red Coupe


Joined: 3/20/2009
Posts: 702

Having done this, I highly recommend you spend the extra money for the bronze gears.

|UPDATED|3/15/2012 12:19:44 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Headlight not closing smoothly (8/11)
 8/23/12 4:39pm
urbie4
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Providence, RI - USA

Vette(s):
Red 1996 targa top, all stock as far as I know.


Joined: 9/27/2011
Posts: 21

My passenger-side headlight just started acting up the other day -- sometimes it'll fail to close, and when it does close, something (one corner of the bezel?) is hitting something on the way by, so it'll either close or hang about 2/3 of the way open.  I took a close look at it from all angles today -- naturally, with the hood open, it kept opening and closing reliably without incident, although sometimes with a clunk -- and I really can't see much difference between how it's sitting and the light on the driver's side.

One possible wrinkle -- the cornering lamp housing is slightly broken (one of many dings to the exterior of this car, caused by the fact that it was my Mom's car, and she drove it 'til she was old and rickety, so she'd catch the edge of the garage going in and out), so it's not quite flush the way it's supposed to be.  With the hood closed, it's hard to see exactly what's going on in there, but there's a thick bundle of wires right there -- doesn't look like something that would cause what I'm seeing, but I'm not sure.

When you have a light that doesn't want to close (or open), is there some particular part that tends to get out of whack and start binding on something?  Here are a few snapshots with the hood up -- probably not too helpful, but there you have it....








|UPDATED|8/23/2012 1:39:26 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Re: Noisy Headlight motor (9/11)
 8/23/12 9:22pm
eddie20890
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lanoka harbor, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1990 L-98 white/ red/black leather interior targa top auto 1975 L48 blue/black leather interior t tops auto


Joined: 3/22/2009
Posts: 1363

sounds like the gears need to be redone as stated and also the bushings on the shaft.
 urbie4---this might sound strange but on my 90 the same thing was happening. drove me crazy until i accidentally found what my problem was.

the coolant lines that run on the frame to the overflow tank were not sitting on the frame correctly and with the hood down the door would get caught on the line. secured the lines to sit against the frame and it solved the problem. it was one of those PITA problems.


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the dynamic duo


c3vr life member #97
Re: Noisy Headlight motor (10/11)
 9/1/12 11:11am
urbie4
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Providence, RI - USA

Vette(s):
Red 1996 targa top, all stock as far as I know.


Joined: 9/27/2011
Posts: 21

Thanks, Eddie -- that's what it was!

Here's a shot of the coolant line, with telltale dab of red paint from the headlight cowl grazing it!

I just gave it a slight bend, to get it maybe 1/8-1/4" out of the way, and now the light opens and closes normally.  Thanks for the help!

Urb




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Re: Noisy Headlight motor (11/11)
 9/12/12 6:45pm
FLDAVE
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Vette(s):
1953 1992 BLACK ON BLACK


Joined: 11/22/2009
Posts: 60

Ditto what Jimmymack said. Get the bronze gears. The originals aen't even Delrin. They're Nylon. 100% crap.
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