Headlight Question
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,128
Likes: 283
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Headlight Question
The headlights on my 81 quit coming up tonight. I'm new to headlight issues so thought I would ask for some help. I can't hear any air leaking by the headlights but I do have a new vacuum leak coming from somewhere near the back of the carb. It's too dark and too late to mess with it now. Can anyone tell me where the vacuum for the headlights pulls from? I'll tear into this weekend, just wanted to get some facts to give me a head start.
Thanks in advance........
Thanks in advance........
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Vero Beach Florida
Jon,
Did you have any warning - such as lazy light(s), hissing, switch hard to pull? My '81 suddenly failed, too. My switch got really hard to pull and got to the point I thought I broke it - and then the lights wouldn't come up.
I have a new switch on hand I just need the time to do the install.
...Alan K.
Did you have any warning - such as lazy light(s), hissing, switch hard to pull? My '81 suddenly failed, too. My switch got really hard to pull and got to the point I thought I broke it - and then the lights wouldn't come up.
I have a new switch on hand I just need the time to do the install.
...Alan K.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,128
Likes: 283
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Noope, no warning, I just turned them on like normal and they came up and went back down.........
Each time I turn them up they come up a little before closing again which is why I'm guessing it's vacuum related.
Each time I turn them up they come up a little before closing again which is why I'm guessing it's vacuum related.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Vero Beach Florida
Each time I turn them up they come up a little before closing again which is why I'm guessing it's vacuum related
Yup - check that leak behind carb at first light - that's most likely your problem!
Yup - check that leak behind carb at first light - that's most likely your problem!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
To start, fix the leaks anywhere you can hear it sucking. That should get you operational again. Then go thru each hose end to end and make sure they are secure, no problem.
The check valve and filter die on these things, they are located in the vac line behind the carb, replacements are cheap.
The check valve and filter die on these things, they are located in the vac line behind the carb, replacements are cheap.
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Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: Tampa by way of MIAMI! FL
So where do you get the kit to go electric? I looked around at the major vendors and found nothing but that doesn't mean that they don't have it. Thanks in advance.
Or are you talking about getting rid of the popups with the stationary lights?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
Filter is little white circular thing in the line from the manifold. The check valve only flows ONE WAY, towards the manifold. You should be able to blow thru it one way, and one way only...from the side with 2 ports towards the side with one port. Block each of the 2 ports, one at a time, blow thru the other, and make sure each of the 2 ports is open.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia
http://www.mcspeed.homestead.com/Our_Products.html
I've "upgraded" my pop up mechanisms to electric and they work great - you pull the switch and they are UP! Push the switch and you'd better make sure no one has their fingers in the way!
Last edited by saudivette; Nov 14, 2007 at 02:25 PM.
