Do the vacuum kit while your at it.
ALMOST had lights up....
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,347
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
http://www.corvette-101.com/
Then click vacuum trouble.
You can do the tests in the car but you need a vacuum pump. If you dont have one go out and get one!!! Its a valuable tool that will save you alot of time and aggravation.
HEAD LAMP ACTUATORS Click here for a diagram of internal actuator operation.
DESCRIPTION: Pie pan shaped with a single internal diaphragm attached to a threaded shaft that is visible externally. The threaded shaft is protected by a cone shaped boot. Each actuator has 2 vacuum ports. The front port is straight and identified by a green dot; the rear port is curved and identified by a red dot
LOCATION: Mounted to the rear of each headlamp housing with 4 flanged lock nuts.
FUNCTION: The headlamp actuators open or close the headlamp doors. More specifically, the green hose opens the headlamp doors and red closes them.
TROUBLESHOOTING: Perform the following two steps in order.
1. With headlamps in the closed position, disconnect the large red hose and attach the vacuum pump. If the vacuum pressure holds, the internal diaphragm is good. If the vacuum pressure drops, the internal diaphragm is leaking and the actuator must be replaced.
2. With the headlamps in the open and locked position (if the headlamps will not open normally, try opening them manually by pushing them up from the front underside of the vehicle), disconnect the large green hose and attach the vacuum pump. If vacuum pressure holds, the internal diaphragm and rear sealing grommet are both good. If the vacuum pressure drops, replace the grommet. NOTE: If you do not open the headlamps prior to this test, applying vacuum to the port should slowly open the headlamps until they are completely open. At this point this port should hold a vacuum.
DESCRIPTION: Pie pan shaped with a single internal diaphragm attached to a threaded shaft that is visible externally. The threaded shaft is protected by a cone shaped boot. Each actuator has 2 vacuum ports. The front port is straight and identified by a green dot; the rear port is curved and identified by a red dot
LOCATION: Mounted to the rear of each headlamp housing with 4 flanged lock nuts.
FUNCTION: The headlamp actuators open or close the headlamp doors. More specifically, the green hose opens the headlamp doors and red closes them.
TROUBLESHOOTING: Perform the following two steps in order.
1. With headlamps in the closed position, disconnect the large red hose and attach the vacuum pump. If the vacuum pressure holds, the internal diaphragm is good. If the vacuum pressure drops, the internal diaphragm is leaking and the actuator must be replaced.
2. With the headlamps in the open and locked position (if the headlamps will not open normally, try opening them manually by pushing them up from the front underside of the vehicle), disconnect the large green hose and attach the vacuum pump. If vacuum pressure holds, the internal diaphragm and rear sealing grommet are both good. If the vacuum pressure drops, replace the grommet. NOTE: If you do not open the headlamps prior to this test, applying vacuum to the port should slowly open the headlamps until they are completely open. At this point this port should hold a vacuum.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Vero Beach Florida
Folks, I removed one of the headlight actuators tonight and replaced the seal and boot - easy enough once I removed the hood! The seal was completely torn - as was the boot. Confidence is high I'm gonna get the lights to work now!! 
(I know - I posted weeks ago - just don't have a lot of time to dedicate to the 'Vette this time of year! No hurry, though - I can drive it YEAR 'ROUND!!)
Thanks for the words of encouragement!
I'll post with my final results!
...Alan K.
(I know - I posted weeks ago - just don't have a lot of time to dedicate to the 'Vette this time of year! No hurry, though - I can drive it YEAR 'ROUND!!)
Thanks for the words of encouragement!
I'll post with my final results!...Alan K.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia
If your lights still don't work, have a look here...
http://mcspeed.homestead.com/Our_Products.html
Vacuum sux!
http://mcspeed.homestead.com/Our_Products.html
Vacuum sux!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
If you end up needing to replace the hoses, I suggest replacing one at a time. Don't pull them all out and then try to replace all of them at the same time. Much greater chance of making a wrong connection even with a color coded diagram. My 2c.
Glenn
Glenn
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Vero Beach Florida
RE replacing hoses one at a time...
Thanks for the heads-up.
I learned to replace plug wires one at a time 35 years ago when I really messed up my 1st car - a '66 Impala!
I've never forgotten that very important lesson! It would also apply to vacuum lines!
Another lesson - replace brakes one wheel at a time! Doesn't matter how good you are - always leave one assembled for reference!!
...Alan K.
Thanks for the heads-up.
I learned to replace plug wires one at a time 35 years ago when I really messed up my 1st car - a '66 Impala!
I've never forgotten that very important lesson! It would also apply to vacuum lines! Another lesson - replace brakes one wheel at a time! Doesn't matter how good you are - always leave one assembled for reference!!
...Alan K.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Vero Beach Florida
Headlights are working!!!! Getting the second actuator out was quite a chore as the rod was rusted solid. Air chisel worked great!
The lights now snap up and down evenly with authority!! The wife is very happy - as am I! If any of you have the slightest problem with your lights working slowly or not at all I strongly recommend new seals and boot for the actuators. Removing the hood made the job very simple.
...Alan K.
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