Sticking head light motors

[Rudy J.]

I replaced my head lamp motors purchased at "Corvette Specialities" of Maryland. They work quickly and 98% evenly. However, both lights will stick randomly either in the up or down position. If I use the manual star wheel and reduce some tension on the wheel, the motor will operate the head lamp and move the head lamp in the direction it should travel. I've tried adjusting the manual star wheel to a position just before the head light begins to move, but with no success. The head lamp pods move freely when the motors were out. I was told that the Y stop on one motor was properly adjusted.
I did not have this problem with the motors that were replaced. Why did I replace the motors? That's another story.

rudyjagielski@aol.com

[Richard M.]

Re: Sticking head light motors

Rudy, It could be several things, and possibly the motors, but if it were me I would check that....

-the screws holding the ground terminals are not too long. If too long they can cause a internal short to the motor coils. (I had a similar problem on our '63 and that's what caused it)

-the grounds to each motor have good clean connections.

-the motor connectors and bulkhead connector at the firewall has good clean contacts.

-your dash switch is not intermittent. Test this by connecting a voltmeter to the motor connector and see if you get a "flat" spot in the reading. Could be the bulkhead connector too if it's a bad reading.

By process of elimination you have to verify each piece in the puzzle to get to the root cause. You will be better to diagnose the problem to prove what's wrong. If you just call and say your motors are bad you may get some "resistance".

You may want to remove the motor connector and run a hot wire to each terminal individually to test motor operation in both directions. I would try it with the existing ground first, then try jumpering in your own ground as a test also to see if that's the fault. Doing this will bypass all other wiring. If you say the buckets turn free with no resistance with motors out, and your jumpering of hot & grounds make it act similarly, then the motors are suspect.

IMO it is unlikely that both motors are bad, but you never know?

Rich

[Stuart F.]

Re: Sticking head light motors

It sounds like what you are describing is exactly what I have with just one of my headlights, and it has nothing to do with electrical. I too have to loosen the star wheel each time I want to put the headlights up. I have tried every standard test and adjustment, including repair of my switch to no avail. I've asked others, but no one seems to know about this problem. It is as if there should be a pal nut or some clip to position the star wheel on the shaft, or something to prevent it locking the shaft from turning. I don't see anything like that on the schematic, but I have bought all new parts and am going to try it again. It's just a nuisance, as once up, it works fine and I can re-cycle it with no problem. It just happens after a period of non use.

Stu fox

[Roger O.]

Re: Sticking head light motors

When the motors are out and you rotate the buckets , do they stop solidly or do they stop soft ?
If the buckets don't stop solid I think you can sorta wedge the motor into stopping.
edit-also are the nylon bushings in place ?