[C2] 67 headlight motor problem
12-05-2021, 05:15 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
67 headlight motor problem
I just bought a 1967 coupe when I went to look at it the drivers headlight worked fine but the passenger headlight started to open then stopped I figured ok I'll look into it when I get it home
Get it home go to try it again and now both headlight won't open
Anyone have any Idea where to start
Hi All,
Just finished installing two rebuilt headlight motors in my 67 and they work great
I replaced the headlight door switch and my drivers side was working took the passenger side apart and found the wire for one of the brushes grounded out on the case and one of the brush tensioner springs was of needless to say I replaced them now I have my original motors in a box was wondering what they are worth if anyone can help I think there dated 12/66
thanks' to everyone who gave suggestions
Get it home go to try it again and now both headlight won't open
Anyone have any Idea where to start
Hi All,
Just finished installing two rebuilt headlight motors in my 67 and they work great
I replaced the headlight door switch and my drivers side was working took the passenger side apart and found the wire for one of the brushes grounded out on the case and one of the brush tensioner springs was of needless to say I replaced them now I have my original motors in a box was wondering what they are worth if anyone can help I think there dated 12/66
thanks' to everyone who gave suggestions
Last edited by pats67copo; 12-19-2021 at 11:51 AM. Reason: update
12-05-2021, 05:26 PM
#2
Burning Brakes
Hi Pat,
Congratulations on your new 67. Typically there are three places to check in that kind of situation. The rollover switch under the gauge cluster. The wiring itself making sure that you are getting power to the headlight motors. And finally the headlight motors themselves. Much has been written and there are many threads on C2 headlight motors and problems with them and the final repair or solution. I would check all three of those main areas first and isolate it down to one. Then go after that section causing the problem. My guess would be the motors themselves may be gummed up by the white lithium grease hardening and slowing down and now stopping the rotation. That is if they have never been rebuilt.
Check the archive on past threads first and read through those that most closley mimic your issues and go from there. Good Luck with it. C.J.
Congratulations on your new 67. Typically there are three places to check in that kind of situation. The rollover switch under the gauge cluster. The wiring itself making sure that you are getting power to the headlight motors. And finally the headlight motors themselves. Much has been written and there are many threads on C2 headlight motors and problems with them and the final repair or solution. I would check all three of those main areas first and isolate it down to one. Then go after that section causing the problem. My guess would be the motors themselves may be gummed up by the white lithium grease hardening and slowing down and now stopping the rotation. That is if they have never been rebuilt.
Check the archive on past threads first and read through those that most closley mimic your issues and go from there. Good Luck with it. C.J.
12-05-2021, 05:27 PM
#3
Team Owner
Member Since: Feb 2003
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yes, pull them out of the car, clean all the old grease out, inspect the gears, clean the armature and brushes. put fresh grease and put back together
12-05-2021, 05:40 PM
#4
Pro
Thread Starter
Hi Pat,
Congratulations on your new 67. Typically there are three places to check in that kind of situation. The rollover switch under the gauge cluster. The wiring itself making sure that you are getting power to the headlight motors. And finally the headlight motors themselves. Much has been written and there are many threads on C2 headlight motors and problems with them and the final repair or solution. I would check all three of those main areas first and isolate it down to one. Then go after that section causing the problem. My guess would be the motors themselves may be gummed up by the white lithium grease hardening and slowing down and now stopping the rotation. That is if they have never been rebuilt.
Check the archive on past threads first and read through those that most closley mimic your issues and go from there. Good Luck with it. C.J.
Congratulations on your new 67. Typically there are three places to check in that kind of situation. The rollover switch under the gauge cluster. The wiring itself making sure that you are getting power to the headlight motors. And finally the headlight motors themselves. Much has been written and there are many threads on C2 headlight motors and problems with them and the final repair or solution. I would check all three of those main areas first and isolate it down to one. Then go after that section causing the problem. My guess would be the motors themselves may be gummed up by the white lithium grease hardening and slowing down and now stopping the rotation. That is if they have never been rebuilt.
Check the archive on past threads first and read through those that most closley mimic your issues and go from there. Good Luck with it. C.J.
Pat
12-05-2021, 05:42 PM
#5
Pro
Thread Starter
12-05-2021, 05:57 PM
#6
Team Owner
If that doesn't work, rebuild the engine and transmission. How rare would it have to be for the grease to harden at the exact same time in BOTH headlights when they had been working.
The most likely issue for your exact symptoms is the rollover switch under the dash. It has 12v coming to it and sends 12v to either the up or down wire to the headlamps. You can verify if its the problem by disconnecting the plug in the line and shorting the center connector in the wiring to either of the other two connectors. If the lights move or try to move, the switch is not working. All it does is short 12v to the wires depending on which way you move the switch. The switch can be disassembled and cleaned, but you have to be careful not to break the plastic tabs. Google "c2 Corvette headlight rollover switch repair" and you'll come up with pictures and descriptions of how to repair. If you don't have 12v going to that center connector, there is a 30 amp circuit breaker on the driver's side kick panel that could be open, but it's an auto reset so it would have to be bad internally or the wires losing connection to it. There's probably at least a 90% chance when both headlights stop rolling that the problem is in that switch.
The most likely issue for your exact symptoms is the rollover switch under the dash. It has 12v coming to it and sends 12v to either the up or down wire to the headlamps. You can verify if its the problem by disconnecting the plug in the line and shorting the center connector in the wiring to either of the other two connectors. If the lights move or try to move, the switch is not working. All it does is short 12v to the wires depending on which way you move the switch. The switch can be disassembled and cleaned, but you have to be careful not to break the plastic tabs. Google "c2 Corvette headlight rollover switch repair" and you'll come up with pictures and descriptions of how to repair. If you don't have 12v going to that center connector, there is a 30 amp circuit breaker on the driver's side kick panel that could be open, but it's an auto reset so it would have to be bad internally or the wires losing connection to it. There's probably at least a 90% chance when both headlights stop rolling that the problem is in that switch.
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USMC 0802 (12-05-2021)
12-05-2021, 06:11 PM
#7
Pro
Thread Starter
Thanks for all that information I will definitely check that out this week
besides the plug for headlight power is there something else that’s supposed to be at the motor like a limiting switch or something
I have two small wires in the area of each motor that aren’t connected to anything
Thanks again
Pat
besides the plug for headlight power is there something else that’s supposed to be at the motor like a limiting switch or something
I have two small wires in the area of each motor that aren’t connected to anything
Thanks again
Pat
12-05-2021, 07:32 PM
#8
Le Mans Master
Thanks for all that information I will definitely check that out this week
besides the plug for headlight power is there something else that’s supposed to be at the motor like a limiting switch or something
I have two small wires in the area of each motor that aren’t connected to anything
Thanks again
Pat
besides the plug for headlight power is there something else that’s supposed to be at the motor like a limiting switch or something
I have two small wires in the area of each motor that aren’t connected to anything
Thanks again
Pat
See if you can take a nice clear picture of those wires and post them up...
12-05-2021, 07:38 PM
#9
Pro
Thread Starter
12-05-2021, 07:55 PM
#10
Team Owner
If they are black wires with odd shaped connectors on the end, they are the "tell tale" switches that cause the dash warning to light up to tell you you have the lights on but one or the other didn't fully open. They have no function in the motor operation, but are simply a notification that your buckets did not fully open. If they are disconnected, the headlight rollover will still function normally but no dash warning if they don't. They plug on to a rectangular black switch mounted on the headlight motor ***'y., one switch on each motor, two wires on each switch.
There are no limiting switches, the motors will continue to try to turn for as long as you hold the rollover switch, even after you reach the stop.
There are no limiting switches, the motors will continue to try to turn for as long as you hold the rollover switch, even after you reach the stop.
12-05-2021, 08:00 PM
#11
Pro
Thread Starter
If they are black wires with odd shaped connectors on the end, they are the "tell tale" switches that cause the dash warning to light up to tell you you have the lights on but one or the other didn't fully open. They have no function in the motor operation, but are simply a notification that your buckets did not fully open. If they are disconnected, the headlight rollover will still function normally but no dash warning if they don't. They plug on to a rectangular black switch mounted on the headlight motor ***'y., one switch on each motor, two wires on each switch.
There are no limiting switches, the motors will continue to try to turn for as long as you hold the rollover switch, even after you reach the stop.
There are no limiting switches, the motors will continue to try to turn for as long as you hold the rollover switch, even after you reach the stop.
thanks for the help
pat
12-05-2021, 08:06 PM
#12
Pro
Thread Starter
If they are black wires with odd shaped connectors on the end, they are the "tell tale" switches that cause the dash warning to light up to tell you you have the lights on but one or the other didn't fully open. They have no function in the motor operation, but are simply a notification that your buckets did not fully open. If they are disconnected, the headlight rollover will still function normally but no dash warning if they don't. They plug on to a rectangular black switch mounted on the headlight motor ***'y., one switch on each motor, two wires on each switch.
There are no limiting switches, the motors will continue to try to turn for as long as you hold the rollover switch, even after you reach the stop.
There are no limiting switches, the motors will continue to try to turn for as long as you hold the rollover switch, even after you reach the stop.
Pat
12-05-2021, 08:15 PM
#13
Team Owner
That's the ones. The one with two wires feeds to the other side. The switches are in parallel so that if EITHER side doesn't open, the indicator lights up. Again, the have no function in operation and won't cause your issue.
12-06-2021, 05:07 AM
#14
Pro
Thread Starter
Thanks
12-06-2021, 07:01 AM
#16
Team Owner
12-06-2021, 10:58 AM
#17
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My experience when dismantling, is to work with one motor at a time. Clean of all the grease. Once cleaned I reassembled to test motor. Then open it up and using wheel bearing grease, lightly apply to the bearings and worm drive. There is a thermal switch in there that prevents overheating should the bucket get jammed. I found one of these switches to open when just running the motor during tests. While the motor is removed, turn the headlight bucket by hand. If you sense any drag or the bucket doesn't rotate freely, its time to pull the bucket for an overhaul of those bearings too.
To make life easier remove the grill and the support rods that attach to the lower core support. It takes some doing to pull/replace the buckets. Lots of blue tape and patience. You'll be glad when its done.
To make life easier remove the grill and the support rods that attach to the lower core support. It takes some doing to pull/replace the buckets. Lots of blue tape and patience. You'll be glad when its done.
12-06-2021, 02:01 PM
#19
Burning Brakes
Are there some good step-by-step details for R&R?
maybe a thread or YouTube videos, etc?
is this in the service manual ( mine has not arrived yet)
maybe a thread or YouTube videos, etc?
is this in the service manual ( mine has not arrived yet)
12-06-2021, 03:32 PM
#20
Burning Brakes
Several Forum members were kind enough to put together a step by step document on rebuilding C2 headlight motors. Here is one of them put out by Alann J. Boatright.
Have fun with it. C.J.
Have fun with it. C.J.
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polo91 (12-11-2021)