Grinding Noise Coming From Left Headlight?

[y2kvert]

When the left headlight retracts I hear a sort of grinding noise. Does anyone know what this is?

 

[jcs712]

When the left headlight retracts I hear a sort of grinding noise. Does anyone know what this is?

It is quite common for the C5 headlight motors to stop functioning due to a stripped nylon drive gear housed in the motor. There are aftermarket brass gears to correct this problem. I understand the install is not that difficult. Check to make sure there is nothing interferring with the up and down movement of the headlight. You may also want to pull the dust cover off the motor and run them up and down to see if you still get the noise. If your car is out of warranty, check with Mid America Motorworks for the brass gear replacement kit. Good Luck!

 

[Blade]

jcs712 is correct. The gear box is starting to strip. It will get worse and sound horrible.

Time to buy a new one, my Chevy dealer charged me about $200 on my 1998 Vette.

 

[GKrenn]

Your about to be due for new gears. You can get as set of brass gears from Rodney Dickmans for about $73.00. Mine arrived at the door in 3 days.

 

[Stoopkid]

It's happening to me too!

For a few weeks now I've had the left light sticking in the down position...today pull in the garage and as usual the lights come on. Turn the car off and down the headlights go...then I hear it. Sounds like the motor on the light is still grinding away after the light is down...

Gears?? Anyone?? Help!

 

[GKrenn]

Gears will do the trick. I couldn't believe how much better the actuation of the headlight housings sounded after the install. You can save money by not going to MAD or Ecklers. RodneyDickman has a great price and delivers quickly.

 

[Stoopkid]

Thanks, I appreciate the help!

I was trying to get some advice before going to MAD but they weren't all that overly priced after all. They ended up at $57.98 with Shipping.

I do appreciate the help though...

Hopefully this will fix it. Little embarrassing to park and have that grinding away while everybody watches...and I can't trust the dealer where I bought it enough to leave it.

 

[GKrenn]

Its an easy install. I was concerned about having to split the gear case but if your careful you won't have any problems. It was embarrassing to park and have the motor grind.

 

[Stoopkid]

Thanks for the advice! I'll let you know how it goes...

 

[Stoopkid]

Should've listened to you about dickmans...with shipping the gear cost me about what a pair from rd's would have run. And to make matters worse the gear I got was made by dickman's!

Oh well, the install was a snap and everything works right once again. I appreciate the tip and next time I'll listen!