Manually closing lights?
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Manually closing lights?
The vacuum to my lights is not working and im trying to figure this complex system all out. In the meantime id like to close my headlights manually as i do not drive the car at night and prefer the look when I drive the car around. How do you close the lights? I am not real familiar with all the springs and rods that this uses. If someone could answer my question or show me a diagram of which lever will shut them I would be greatful. Thank You
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Grand Forks North Dakota
If you peek underneath you'll see 4 springs on each side. If you pull down on the middle bar that all the springs hook to the headlight should fall. I can do it without even looking under there now, it's cake.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 704
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati OH
be careful not to grab the hookup for the fiber optic sensor for the lights(lights the indicator in the car for headlight problems). It breaks off easy and it's right there where all the arms com together. If it feels like oyu have to force them then STOP. Read my 2nd comment and you should be good to go...
There should be a plunger looking type lever under the dash that you push in to release the vacuum. This will allow the lights to drop on their own by releasing the vacuum on the system.
There should be a plunger looking type lever under the dash that you push in to release the vacuum. This will allow the lights to drop on their own by releasing the vacuum on the system.
Last edited by TheMongoose; Mar 28, 2007 at 07:20 PM. Reason: added 1 more comment
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 331
Likes: 1
Good luck getting your lights to work properly. You have my sympathy there. Without a doubt the worst aspect of owning a C3 Vette. Id like to meet the engineer that developed that system & kick him square in the nutts........
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,890
Likes: 376
From: Montgomery NY
????????? that system is the most simple and easy thing to repair if you know how it works
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 0
From: Mobile, Alabama/ 29 Palms, california
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Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Thanks Guys
Thanks guys, I dont think calling 26 vacuum hoses a rocket scientists idea on how to make lights go up and down. I will try and figure it out and hopefully get em closed. The guy I bought the car from said his son was going to FIX the hoses and replace a few old vacuum lines. Now nothing works after he played shadetree mechanic. But its an original 84k mile car and id like to see it put to use. Thanks again.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Wakefield Nebraska
I had to do that right away i bought my car untill I could get it fixed. Just took a minute or two to figure it out.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Canton North Carolina
Thanks for the post. My lights have been in the up position since I purchased it. I went out last night while walking my two knucklehead dogs and using JustinGJ advice I was able to lower the lights. I have found out why my lights do not go up or down on their own. The bubbas who owned the vette before me did some "creative" re-routing of the vacuum lines
. This and other convoluted WTFs they did that I have been having to fix or tear out. This is why I am enjoying working on it when I can
.
Scott
. This and other convoluted WTFs they did that I have been having to fix or tear out. This is why I am enjoying working on it when I can . Scott
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Ocala FL
I've been having the same problems with my 77 "Some Assembly Required" project.
Here's a really good link for later C3's without the wiper door
http://www.corvette-101.com/vacuum.htm
and one for early C3's with the wiper door
http://vetteworks.tripod.com/techdocuments/Vaccum.html
Chances are pretty high that either the relays or actuators are leaking after 30 years and need to be rebuilt or replaced.
good luck with it
Tommy
Here's a really good link for later C3's without the wiper door
http://www.corvette-101.com/vacuum.htm
and one for early C3's with the wiper door
http://vetteworks.tripod.com/techdocuments/Vaccum.html
Chances are pretty high that either the relays or actuators are leaking after 30 years and need to be rebuilt or replaced.
good luck with it
Tommy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
Mine have the opposite problem. They won't go up, but they go down on thier own. After I manually raise them, they will stay up if I either have the headlight switch on, or have the override under the dash pulled down. To let them down I eithere have to push the override switch back in if it's down, or just turn the headlights off if the override switch isn't pulled down. I've been told by more than one person new relays will fix mine, and I'm going to give it a try and hope for the best.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Ocala FL
Mine have the opposite problem. They won't go up, but they go down on thier own. After I manually raise them, they will stay up if I either have the headlight switch on, or have the override under the dash pulled down. To let them down I eithere have to push the override switch back in if it's down, or just turn the headlights off if the override switch isn't pulled down. I've been told by more than one person new relays will fix mine, and I'm going to give it a try and hope for the best.
