1981 Headlights not working
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: TX
1981 Headlights not working
I just bought a 1981 corvette, it has the headlights locked in the up position. I will like to fix this, but don't know where to start. Can somebody tell me where to begin troubleshooting this problem? Does anybody know what is the most common part(s) to go bad when something like this happens?
Joe
Joe
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
First, open the hood and locate the vacuum relays mounted just forward
of the hood opening. These have a vacuum source hose and two more
hoses that lead to the headlight actuators (1 up, 1 down hose).
Oh - there is one more (thinner) hose that controls the relay (from H/L switch).
Check that all hoses are connected.
If yes, check that vacuum line into the relay is pulling vacuum (engine must be running).
If vacuum is present, then it is either the relay or actuator.
No vacuum ... check hoses back to engine.
A vacuum pump can be used to test the actuator ... or connect directly
from engine vacuum to either up/down hoses to test.
of the hood opening. These have a vacuum source hose and two more
hoses that lead to the headlight actuators (1 up, 1 down hose).
Oh - there is one more (thinner) hose that controls the relay (from H/L switch).
Check that all hoses are connected.
If yes, check that vacuum line into the relay is pulling vacuum (engine must be running).
If vacuum is present, then it is either the relay or actuator.
No vacuum ... check hoses back to engine.
A vacuum pump can be used to test the actuator ... or connect directly
from engine vacuum to either up/down hoses to test.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore MD
Don't forget to "UNLOCK" your head lights from the up position! There is a switch on the lower part of your dash board - left hand side - it's a black push/pull switch - push it in. This frees the headlights to go down when the light switch is turned off. Now start your trouble shooting.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,295
Likes: 30
From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely
If your vacuum hoses are OK you need to check the rubber boots that seal the rod that push/pull the lights if one is split it causes that light from moving. The other item to check is the headlight Actuator relays (two) located just in front of the hood .
