Headlight motor

**Deke** · 01-10-12, 08:07 AM

Does anyone know how to stop the headlight motor from running after the headlight closes. I replaced the worn gear in the motor, did I miss some other adjustment procedure?

Thanks DK

**timfitz63** · 01-10-12, 09:29 AM

You might check out these threads, dealing with the headlight bump stops:

Headlight malfunction on an 04
Headlight Question

Hope it helps!

**Deke** · 01-10-12, 10:15 AM

Thanks for the links, hadn't thought about those bumpers. Went out and fiddled with it this morning but no luck. What I neglected to mention is that the new gear I installed was plastic just like the old one. Figured it's brand new, only $12, had to work at least once, right? WRONG! Bottom line: quit being so cheap, buy the good parts and avoid the unnecessary headaches. So I ordered the metal gear replacement this morning. There are still some of us out there that need to be slapped twice before stuff sinks in, I guess I'm one of 'em. The up-side is I'm getting pretty good with these headlight motors.

DK

**timfitz63** · 01-10-12, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by Deke

Thanks for the links, hadn't thought about those bumpers. Went out and fiddled with it this morning but no luck. What I neglected to mention is that the new gear I installed was plastic just like the old one. Figured it's brand new, only $12, had to work at least once, right? WRONG! Bottom line: quit being so cheap, buy the good parts and avoid the unnecessary headaches. So I ordered the metal gear replacement this morning. There are still some of us out there that need to be slapped twice before stuff sinks in, I guess I'm one of 'em. The up-side is I'm getting pretty good with these headlight motors.

Are you sure the replacement gear failed already? If it's not the bumpers, it still could be something else; might want to wait for some of the mechanical gurus to weigh in before buying a lot of parts... I agree that the metal gear is probably going to be more durable, but like you, I'd have expected a similar (plastic) replacement would last longer than one cycle of the headlights...?

**Deke** · 01-10-12, 10:49 AM

Can't imagine what else it might be. This gear makes the same offending sound as the old one(at least the old one stopped when it was supposed to, maybe I should put it back in). I guess I'll just wait to install the metal gear.

DK

**timfitz63** · 01-10-12, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Deke

Can't imagine what else it might be. This gear makes the same offending sound as the old one(at least the old one stopped when it was supposed to, maybe I should put it back in). I guess I'll just wait to install the metal gear.

Hard for me to speculate without hearing the noises myself. But if the old gear shows no signs of damage/wear (e.g., broken or worn-down teeth), there's likely another problem...

If the old gear is indeed damaged/worn, and the new one is as well, my concern right now would be whether something is jamming the mechanism and stripping the gear...?

**PAULIE B** · 01-10-12, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by Deke

Does anyone know how to stop the headlight motor from running after the headlight closes. I replaced the worn gear in the motor, did I miss some other adjustment procedure?

Thanks DK

Hey try this...Remove the headlight bumpers and turn them upside down reinstall them. Then try it. Can't hurt. If the bumpers are worn the motor will run for a few seconds more when you turn off the lights. I had the same problem. I did what I mentioned above. Then I ordered new bumpers yet to put them in. Lol
SEE ONE OF THE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS THREAD. GOOD LUCK!

Paul

**Deke** · 01-10-12, 05:48 PM

Well, I was going to sit around all day and think about this problem(sitting around gathering your thoughts is an excellect excuse for sitting around)but your suspicions regarding foreign matter in the gear case got me going. EUREKA!!! You were right, found some shrapnel floating around in there. Cleaned out the case and everything stops and goes as it should. Still sounds like a broken drill though. Maybe the metal gear will quiet things down. Thanks for being my sounding board. Should have that gear by Friday, will let you know.

Thanks again

DK

**Junkman2008** · 01-20-12, 09:14 PM

Does it sound like this?

If so, it's definitely the gear. The only issue that the bump stops will affect is the bucket stopping at the proper lift height or lowering height. The noise is always the gear. What you should do is look at the light that is working and verify that the troubled light is assembled correctly. You may just have it assembled wrong. Another thing to check is that the cover is on tight. If you have a 2001 or newer C5 and the cover is not glued back on, it could bow and create the same failure issue. Lastly, look at this picture and verify that these motor tabs are not loose. They should be folded down as in the picture.

**Deke** · 01-21-12, 08:00 AM

Thanks to everyone for your input. Got that metal gear installed last Saturday, been one week now, everything working as it should. Wish my back yard was big enough to throw you all a BBQ.

Thanks again....DK