Thanks for the video, I’m wondering if you could help me troubleshoot my headlight. I have an 87 corvette. The left headlight stopped opening consistently (would open about once every 20 pulls on the switch). I suspected that the gears had worn down, so opened up the motor but the gears were actually in good condition without any breaks. However, I did replace them with new bronze gears. But even after that, still having issues. I now have this audible clicking sound that occurs about every 7-8 seconds when I plug in the connection for the motor. When I disconnect the plug, the clicking goes away. The clicking occurs even when I’m not running the car or using the headlights. I’m not sure what to make of it but suspect something electrical. The actual light from the headlight does work without issues. Thanks in advance!
Hello, my apologies for the delay. The front headlight motor actuators will have 12 VDC applied to them always in the down/closed/Off position. To remove power pull out the light switch to the first click/position. That should de-energize your headlights motor actuators and the clicking should go away, but the parking lights will be on. In the full up or full down position the gear plunger/shaft will shift and disconnect the motor contacts de-energizing the motor after the light assembly makes contact with the hard stops. The clicking that you hear has to be related to the light assembly not contacting the hard stop properly enough to shift the internal plunger to disconnect the motor, or the rubber pads inside the large gear are worn and not providing a firm hold for the plunger to remain in the full closed position and the motor becomes energized and is essentially bouncing back and forth. I know that it’s a lot of work to remove but watch my video again and take notice of the rubber pads in the large gear. I didn’t dig deeper into the electrical contacts of the actuator but they could also have an issue where they are not disconnecting the motor at the full down position. The clicking that you hear must come from the motor that is trying to turn. Send me your email and we can correspond further with more details if you like. I hope this helps.
Another thing that I should mention is the original problem could have been due to a dirty commutator (the copper slotted end of the motor that I suggested cleaning) or worn brushes. Stop the video and read the part where I say to wipe the area clean while rotating the actuator knob. That should look like copper and your wiping cloth should no longer be able soiled after wiping. My guess is that that was the original intermittent problem.
And another thing, it might be the relay that is clicking on and off due to a loose connection. There are 3 relays that are located on the panel closest to the front driver’s side tire. It’s next to the big black ball looking thing in the area of the front left compartment. You can look up which relay operates the left and right side and then swap them to see if the problem moves to the right side. If so, the problem is that relay. Good luck!
Thanks for the video, I’m wondering if you could help me troubleshoot my headlight. I have an 87 corvette. The left headlight stopped opening consistently (would open about once every 20 pulls on the switch). I suspected that the gears had worn down, so opened up the motor but the gears were actually in good condition without any breaks. However, I did replace them with new bronze gears. But even after that, still having issues. I now have this audible clicking sound that occurs about every 7-8 seconds when I plug in the connection for the motor. When I disconnect the plug, the clicking goes away. The clicking occurs even when I’m not running the car or using the headlights. I’m not sure what to make of it but suspect something electrical. The actual light from the headlight does work without issues. Thanks in advance!
Hello, my apologies for the delay. The front headlight motor actuators will have 12 VDC applied to them always in the down/closed/Off position. To remove power pull out the light switch to the first click/position. That should de-energize your headlights motor actuators and the clicking should go away, but the parking lights will be on. In the full up or full down position the gear plunger/shaft will shift and disconnect the motor contacts de-energizing the motor after the light assembly makes contact with the hard stops. The clicking that you hear has to be related to the light assembly not contacting the hard stop properly enough to shift the internal plunger to disconnect the motor, or the rubber pads inside the large gear are worn and not providing a firm hold for the plunger to remain in the full closed position and the motor becomes energized and is essentially bouncing back and forth. I know that it’s a lot of work to remove but watch my video again and take notice of the rubber pads in the large gear. I didn’t dig deeper into the electrical contacts of the actuator but they could also have an issue where they are not disconnecting the motor at the full down position. The clicking that you hear must come from the motor that is trying to turn. Send me your email and we can correspond further with more details if you like. I hope this helps.
Another thing that I should mention is the original problem could have been due to a dirty commutator (the copper slotted end of the motor that I suggested cleaning) or worn brushes. Stop the video and read the part where I say to wipe the area clean while rotating the actuator knob. That should look like copper and your wiping cloth should no longer be able soiled after wiping. My guess is that that was the original intermittent problem.
And another thing, it might be the relay that is clicking on and off due to a loose connection. There are 3 relays that are located on the panel closest to the front driver’s side tire. It’s next to the big black ball looking thing in the area of the front left compartment. You can look up which relay operates the left and right side and then swap them to see if the problem moves to the right side. If so, the problem is that relay. Good luck!