[Dan85Vette]

Yesterday the driver's side headlamp ran into issue.

The headlight works (flips up and down) but when it goes into the "closed position", it makes an aweful sound as if the gears are continuing to close even though the headlamp is down.

I can have the headlight closed with the lights off if I ever-so slightly pull the headlight-knob out by a hair but there is very little play to do this.

Anyone had this happen to them?

Will I be looking for a rebuilt headlamp motor soon or is this something that sounds like I can align, grease and repair?

 

[OldVetteFan]

You need new gears, my man!

I'd recommend the pair, and get enough for BOTH sides.

Steven

 

[90EXPVette]

I agree. I changed mine a couple of years ago.

 

[Dan85Vette]

Now those are super-fast quality responses. Thanks guys. artyon:

Is the gear swap pretty simple? Once I have the motors open, I guess I can also look to clean and grease other essential areas.

 

[OldVetteFan]

When you get the gears, there is a simple set of instructions printed up. No pics (at least from the kit purchased through Ecklers).

I've got a buddy with an '87 that has the same problem, and I'm planning to help him with his repair. I'm hoping to take pics & do a write up on it, but it may have to be delayed (minor health issue!) a week or two.

The good news is that the gears generally fail and not the motor!

Steven

 

[RTGordon]

Hey Dan, they have the kit on E-bay for $24.95 plus $6 shipping. Don't know if it's cheaper than Corvette America, but thought I'd give ya the heads up.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/84-85-86-87-Corvette-Headlight-Motor-Gear-Set_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33710QQitemZ230112570858QQrdZ1

 

[2tone brnz85]

get the bronze set from mid america i did the plastic set and they lasted bout a week

 

[driley]

Did both mine with the plastic kits and they work like new again. Not too bad to do if you are mechanically inclined. Might mark where the brackets that hold them in are so you get them lined back up during reinstallation.

 

[Frankylo]

My 94 has the exact same problem... like the headlight would pop or something like if it wanted to keep spinning. Turned out to be just the gears they had turned into dust LOL. After I replaced them they worked Perfect never had a problem again. Hope this helps

Frank

 

[muddpile]

I had that exact problem last year. Buy the bronze gears and some white grease, you won't regret it. You'll also need a tube of black RTV silicone, and that's about it if I recall. It's actually not too hard of a job, and very rewarding when it doesn't make that sound anymore.

 

[Dan85Vette]

Thanks guys! :cheers:

For something so small, it is quite a horrible sound.

 

[Dan85Vette]

6 months later, headlight all fixed. :laughing:

Can you tell other things became more important? Ah well, the headlight assembly was a pain but it all went back together just fine. More effort to replace it, then time I actually ever use the headlights.

The problem ended up being the larger gear, which has a deep groove dug into it by the bolt that spins it. Swapped it out, good to go.

 

[WIT911]

I would have just turned up the radio, but thanks for the update! :laughing:

 

[Dan85Vette]

I would have just turned up the radio, but thanks for the update!

hahaha only time it made the noise is if you closed the lights all the way, but I could pull it out just slightly and it'd go away. So it never became a necessity, thank goodness.

 

[Doug 87L98]

Yesterday the driver's side headlamp ran into issue.

The headlight works (flips up and down) but when it goes into the "closed position", it makes an aweful sound as if the gears are continuing to close even though the headlamp is down.

I can have the headlight closed with the lights off if I ever-so slightly pull the headlight-knob out by a hair but there is very little play to do this.

Anyone had this happen to them?

Just happened last week. My wife used the car to go to work. Had the lights on to go to work. Came home parked the car in the driveway, she won't pull it it into the garage. When I got home, hopped into the Vette to turn it around to back it into the garage, shut the lights off and that's when I heard that awful noise coming from the drivers side headlight!

Based on the responses in this thread I'll be getting a set of brass gears.

 

[Dan85Vette]

Yea, here's what my caused my headlight noise... nasty groove.

 

[onedef92]

My 94 has the exact same problem... like the headlight would pop or something like if it wanted to keep spinning. Turned out to be just the gears they had turned into dust LOL. After I replaced them they worked Perfect never had a problem again. Hope this helps

Frank

'85 vettes don't have the Delrin bushings, that was on 1988-96 models. They have gears, as others have already stated.:thumbsup:

 

[onedef92]

Yea, here's what my caused my headlight noise... nasty groove.

Be sure and coat the new gears with plenty of white lithium grease to ensure years of trouble-free operation.

 

[Dan85Vette]

Be sure and coat the new gears with plenty of white lithium grease to ensure years of trouble-free operation.

:thumbsup: Yup!

 

[2tone brnz85]

like i said i put a set of plastic in and they lasted bout a week so i went w/ the bronze and alot of grease n/p since:thumbsup: