C2 Headlight Bucket Lazy Motor and Limit Switch Operation

[Mark F.]

My right side C2 Headlight Bucket motor is lazy (closes slower than the left one).

My question is when the left one rotates to its fully closed position (waiting for the right one to catch up) does the left side limit switch cut off current going to that motor ?

Or is current flowing to both motors until both are fully closed ?

I don't want to burn out my "faster" motor (even though I rarely have the buckets open)

[Leif A.]

Re: C2 Headlight Bucket Lazy Motor and Limit Switch Operation

Limit switch does nothing in regards to current going to the motor...it only limits how far the bucket opens and closes. And, yes, current will continue to flow to both motors until both are fully closed, and, until you release the switch.

[Mike T.]

Re: C2 Headlight Bucket Lazy Motor and Limit Switch Operation

Mark - Have you ever had the motors off the car? If not, maybe it's time to R&R them, the old grease can dry out and slow down the operation.
Also when you have them out, at the 'other end' of the motor, where the thumbwheel is located, if you have the motor sitting upright with that thumbwheel 'up' you can drizzle a little bit of oil onto the shaft and it might find it's way inside where that shaft runs into a spherical bushing and it just might speed up the motor. The attached pic shows the end plate with the retained spherical bushing.Black 65 Hdlite Motor End Plate Side View.jpg

[Rich G.]

Re: C2 Headlight Bucket Lazy Motor and Limit Switch Operation

When I had this problem it turned out to be a bad ground on the right side. It’s still a tiny bit slower than the left. I did have the motors rebuilt a few years ago.

In my case the right side was picking up ground from the horn mount. That’s probably not stock, but when the horn mount got loose the headlight slowed down.

[Ed S.]

Re: C2 Headlight Bucket Lazy Motor and Limit Switch Operation

Remove the motor from the offending bucket - not difficult. Exercise the bucket, it should rotate freely - very freely, with virtually no resistance. If it drags, binds or requires a fair amount of pressure from your hand the problem is in the ball sockets on the sides of the bucket - grease dries up and gets hard, components may even rust some - enough to put a strain on the motor - especially if it has not been serviced in 40 - 50 years. If bucket rotates freely and smoothly the problem is definitely in the motor or electrical (ground or current). If you find the bucket drags - it is not technically difficult to remove, clean, lube and reassemble - it is just a PITA..... if you find that you have to do that there are several excellent how to articles on C2 headlight systems in the sticky file called Database of Restoration Documents - enjoy.

[Mark F.]

Re: C2 Headlight Bucket Lazy Motor and Limit Switch Operation

Thanks to all for the advice !

Could be a good winter Fall/Winter project...