'76 Lights Manual Override
10-06-2015, 06:16 PM
#1
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'76 Lights Manual Override
Hey guys!
I have a '76 Stingray. My lights won't come up. I am fairly certain it is the switch just under the dash. My vacuum system has always worked flawless but one morning I got in and had no resistance when pulling the switch. Lights turn on but vacuum doesn't.
Big date on Friday and no time to get a new switch.
HOW DO I POP THE LIGHTS UP MANUALLY AND HAVE THEM STAY?
OR OVERRIDE THE SWITCH AND HAVE VACUUM SYSTEM TURN ON?
No propping with screwdrivers... That is not a solution and I don't want to disconnect things and mess up the seals and everything because I want it all working when I put the new switch in.
I know this has been talked about a lot but I keep finding different discussions and am looking for the correct answer for my specific situation.
Thanks!!!
I have a '76 Stingray. My lights won't come up. I am fairly certain it is the switch just under the dash. My vacuum system has always worked flawless but one morning I got in and had no resistance when pulling the switch. Lights turn on but vacuum doesn't.
Big date on Friday and no time to get a new switch.
HOW DO I POP THE LIGHTS UP MANUALLY AND HAVE THEM STAY?
OR OVERRIDE THE SWITCH AND HAVE VACUUM SYSTEM TURN ON?
No propping with screwdrivers... That is not a solution and I don't want to disconnect things and mess up the seals and everything because I want it all working when I put the new switch in.
I know this has been talked about a lot but I keep finding different discussions and am looking for the correct answer for my specific situation.
Thanks!!!
10-06-2015, 07:27 PM
#2
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You can push the headlights UP from under the car.
Then when you have time you can find and fix the problem.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...tem-works.html
Then when you have time you can find and fix the problem.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...tem-works.html
10-06-2015, 09:33 PM
#3
Team Owner
The headlights previously popped up when you turned on the headlights as they should, and now they don't? And the manual override under the dash also doesn't make them come up? Or have you always been pulling the manual override to get your lights up?
10-07-2015, 07:10 AM
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I have always pulled the regular headlight switch and they have always worked flawlessly.
Pushing the lights up does not work. You can push them up when the vehicle is off but as soon as you start the car they snap back down because the system is still thinking the lights are off.
I haven't tried the manual override. Under the dash you say?
QUOTE=65GGvert;1590643043]The headlights previously popped up when you turned on the headlights as they should, and now they don't? And the manual override under the dash also doesn't make them come up? Or have you always been pulling the manual override to get your lights up?[/QUOTE]
Pushing the lights up does not work. You can push them up when the vehicle is off but as soon as you start the car they snap back down because the system is still thinking the lights are off.
I haven't tried the manual override. Under the dash you say?
QUOTE=65GGvert;1590643043]The headlights previously popped up when you turned on the headlights as they should, and now they don't? And the manual override under the dash also doesn't make them come up? Or have you always been pulling the manual override to get your lights up?[/QUOTE]
10-07-2015, 10:24 AM
#5
Team Owner
I have always pulled the regular headlight switch and they have always worked flawlessly.
Pushing the lights up does not work. You can push them up when the vehicle is off but as soon as you start the car they snap back down because the system is still thinking the lights are off.
I haven't tried the manual override. Under the dash you say?
QUOTE=65GGvert;1590643043]The headlights previously popped up when you turned on the headlights as they should, and now they don't? And the manual override under the dash also doesn't make them come up? Or have you always been pulling the manual override to get your lights up?
Pushing the lights up does not work. You can push them up when the vehicle is off but as soon as you start the car they snap back down because the system is still thinking the lights are off.
I haven't tried the manual override. Under the dash you say?
QUOTE=65GGvert;1590643043]The headlights previously popped up when you turned on the headlights as they should, and now they don't? And the manual override under the dash also doesn't make them come up? Or have you always been pulling the manual override to get your lights up?
The manual override (vacuum) **** is under the steering column on the bottom of the dash, small shaft with a rubber ****. You pull it down and the lights will pop up without being on. If vacuum is your problem, that won't work either.
10-07-2015, 12:06 PM
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Thanks. I'll try that when I get home. Like I said in my original post vacuum is not the problem. It is in the switch.
The manual override (vacuum) **** is under the steering column on the bottom of the dash, small shaft with a rubber ****. You pull it down and the lights will pop up without being on. If vacuum is your problem, that won't work either.[/QUOTE]
The manual override (vacuum) **** is under the steering column on the bottom of the dash, small shaft with a rubber ****. You pull it down and the lights will pop up without being on. If vacuum is your problem, that won't work either.[/QUOTE]
10-07-2015, 12:14 PM
#7
Team Owner
Thanks. I'll try that when I get home. Like I said in my original post vacuum is not the problem. It is in the switch.
The manual override (vacuum) **** is under the steering column on the bottom of the dash, small shaft with a rubber ****. You pull it down and the lights will pop up without being on. If vacuum is your problem, that won't work either.
The manual override (vacuum) **** is under the steering column on the bottom of the dash, small shaft with a rubber ****. You pull it down and the lights will pop up without being on. If vacuum is your problem, that won't work either.
The engine must be running for the headlight override to work.
There's also a combination electric/vacuum relay that sends vacuum to the light assy's when you turn on the lights. Look at Willcox's repair tab on their website. There's a troubleshooting guide with pictures to narrow it down.
Last edited by 65GGvert; 10-07-2015 at 12:16 PM.
10-07-2015, 03:29 PM
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I have always pulled the regular headlight switch and they have always worked flawlessly.
Pushing the lights up does not work. You can push them up when the vehicle is off but as soon as you start the car they snap back down because the system is still thinking the lights are off.]
Pushing the lights up does not work. You can push them up when the vehicle is off but as soon as you start the car they snap back down because the system is still thinking the lights are off.]
On the side of the headlight switch there is a 'tab' that opens or closes the 'vacuum switch'.
It sounds like the tab has broken and not allowing the vacuum switch to move to the 'up' position.
Scroll down on this link to trouble shoot the vacuum switch:
http://www.corvette-101.com/vacuum.htm
Last edited by Peterbuilt; 10-07-2015 at 03:49 PM.
10-07-2015, 07:48 PM
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Hi D,
IF you end up having to open the headlight manually be careful when you reach under there that you don't grab the headlight warning switch. There's one for each door and are made of plastic so are quite easy to break.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Here's the headlight override switch and the blue striped hose that runs from the front port on the headlight switch to the bottom port on the override switch.
IF you end up having to open the headlight manually be careful when you reach under there that you don't grab the headlight warning switch. There's one for each door and are made of plastic so are quite easy to break.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Here's the headlight override switch and the blue striped hose that runs from the front port on the headlight switch to the bottom port on the override switch.
10-07-2015, 08:34 PM
#10
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Got it! The override was what I needed. They popped right up.
I'll be getting into the headlight switch eventually. Looks like a dangerous adventure on an old car.
Thanks for the info. I'll be back for sure.
I'll be getting into the headlight switch eventually. Looks like a dangerous adventure on an old car.
Thanks for the info. I'll be back for sure.
Hi D,
IF you end up having to open the headlight manually be careful when you reach under there that you don't grab the headlight warning switch. There's one for each door and are made of plastic so are quite easy to break.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Here's the headlight override switch and the blue striped hose that runs from the front port on the headlight switch to the bottom port on the override switch.
IF you end up having to open the headlight manually be careful when you reach under there that you don't grab the headlight warning switch. There's one for each door and are made of plastic so are quite easy to break.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Here's the headlight override switch and the blue striped hose that runs from the front port on the headlight switch to the bottom port on the override switch.
10-10-2015, 09:44 AM
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10-10-2015, 03:42 PM
#12
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Haha. Thanks for asking! I probably should have clarified that it was actually with my fiancé which means every date is fantastic! But we went to an awesome black tie event and looked pretty fancy getting out of my corvette me in my penguin suit and her sexy ball gown. A wonderful night. And the lights were even on.
10-11-2015, 03:16 PM
#13
Safety Car
I just replaced my headlight switch, it took about and hour, nothing difficult, just take your time and go slow.
Here is the switch replacement how-to:
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech...-installation/
And a very helpful bit of information that I seldom see mentioned... The secret to getting the headlight **** to release is to pull the headlight **** to the ON position, than push in the release button on the switch and pull the **** the rest of the way out.
Here is the switch replacement how-to:
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech...-installation/
And a very helpful bit of information that I seldom see mentioned... The secret to getting the headlight **** to release is to pull the headlight **** to the ON position, than push in the release button on the switch and pull the **** the rest of the way out.
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Peterbuilt (10-11-2015)
