"Lazy" light

[Norsky4360]

Haven't driven "The Beast" after dark much but the other night we were just a few minutes from home when darkness fell. So I switched on the headlights and was bummed by the fact that the left one didn't light up. After pulling into the garage saw the actual problem was that it hadn't fully rotated. The light was on but pointing straight down. Turning the switch off both lights rotated to full closed.

I haven't spent much time yet looking into the problem but with a little assist the light will rotate to full open. It doesn't seem to be real solid when in that position though, not as solid as the right one anyway. Without assisting it the light only rotates about halfway to an almost vertical position.

Anyone have this happen to them? Any thoughts on what to check out?

Thanks!

[evl_twn]

Replace your headlight bushings. About $15 in parts, and maybe a couple hours of your time ( and that's if you're as slow as I am) and they're better than new.

http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette.html?frame=1.249.853

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf_id=29304&dept_id=1476

[evl_twn]

http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/33098/index.html

[jonszr1]

might want to ck the wires that go to the engine bay lights too i had a clop break and the wires stopped one from opening.

[Norsky4360]

THANKS...!!! I'll check into that. MAM has a link to a "how to" article from CE magazine also. Sounds like an easy fix.

[8upZR1]

On my ZR1 I have a bunch of extra wiring under the headlights and it is very easy for a wire to snag the moving light if they are not properly put away. On my car even the slightest contact will cause the light to stop opening. This is definetily something to check out. Kinda hard sometimes cause you can't see anything with the hood closed. Goodluck with the fix.

Does anyone know where to find a fixed headlight conversion for C4's? I have seen them on cars and some of them look killer, but don't know where to find them. In my opinion the one of the best looking cars is a 1994 RX7 with a fixed headlight conversion. I want my ZR1 headlights to look like they do.

[GOLDCYLON]

Did you replace the bushings?

[Norsky4360]

Did you replace the bushings?

Haven't yet. In fact haven't driven the car in over two weeks! :cry:

If one of the local Corvette parts places doesn't have them in stock I'll have to order them.

[Norsky4360]

The local parts place I talked to wanted $35 for a gear/bushing kit. Found bushings for $6 (a set of 3) and a nylon replacement gear for $16 from 'The Last Detail' (http://www.tld-corvette.com/) outfit. Placed the order today and should see the parts early next week.

[Z Factor]

The local parts place I talked to wanted $35 for a gear/bushing kit. Found bushings for $6 (a set of 3) and a nylon replacement gear for $16 from 'The Last Detail' (http://www.tld-corvette.com/) outfit. Placed the order today and should see the parts early next week.

Always good to hear about deals out there/ Let us know when you get it squared away.

:cheers:

[Aurora40]

Just FYI, but you probably don't need the nylon replacement gear. It's usually just the bushings that get pummeled into dust.

That is a nice deal, though.

[Norsky4360]

The way my luck runs if I just ordered the bushings I'd get it all apart and the gear would be toast as well. then I'd be waiting for parts again. I may replace the gear anyway as long as I have it apart. Probably should have orderd two gears (just because).

I've ordered a few things for the '70 from TLD in the past. Gotten good stuff for a good price.

[RICHARD TILL]

i also think its your bushings. i just measured the extra set that i have. all three are round and exactly 1/2 inch in length and diameter.

[RedSled]

Thank you for this discussion. I just had the same thing happen to mine. Lubrication seemed to work, but i'll go ahead and do this as well.

Cheers, Keith
'90 Red/Red #1383

[Norsky4360]

Just FYI, but you probably don't need the nylon replacement gear. It's usually just the bushings that get pummeled into dust. ...

i also think its your bushings. ...

You were correct, Sirs! :worship:

Parts arrived yesterday so after supper and a walk with the puppydog I headed out to the garage. Following the Corvette Enthusiast write-up referenced in Mid America Motorworks on-line catalog (http://content.madirect.com/pdf/601701article.pdf) it wasn't a difficult task, just took a bit of time. As noted in the write-up there were a couple of minor differences between the '93 they worked on and "The Beast" (two wiring connections on each side versus one and an L-shaped bracket near the hood hinge bracket on each side).

Being cautious it took me about 2 hours to get the left light fixed. There was indeed just a pile of dust inside the gear! Pictures 8 and 9 in the write-up were spot on. The gear looked fine so I replaced only the bushings. Once all put back together the light flipped quickly and stayed solid when open or closed.

I was going to call it a night at that point but the right side motor continued to run for a bit after opening or closing so I thought I might as well follow the advice in the write-up and tear into that one as long as the "how to" was fresh in my mind.

Found the same sized pile of dust inside that gear as well. Don't know how that light was flipping so nicely with the bushings in the same condition the other side's were. The gear looked good also so just replaced the bushings. Got the right side done in about an hour.

Now both lights flip quickly and are solid in either open or closed position. And the motors quit running after the lights have hit the stops.

No more "lazy" light...!!! :dancing

Thanks all! :thumbsup:

[Norsky4360]

opps - duplicate post