C3 headlight problem
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
C3 headlight problem
I need help for a 1973! Both headlights popped up and stayed up after starting the car. I have all the diagrams and will be working on it soon. I have read a warning not to put them down manually. Is there a way to put them down with a bypass of any kind? I am not sure if they stay up no matter what the problem, for safety reasons. Does the Override Switch only pull them up? Thanks I'm new at this.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The override switch will open and close the headlights. Start the car and see if the override switch will close the headlights too. Down should cause the lights to go up and pushing the **** up should pull the lights down.
If you need to let the lights down manually, you can do it, just be careful because you can get your finger caught in the mechanism easily and possibly lose a finger. Just push on the back of the knee in the mechanism and the light should come down. Go easy when doing this and do not force the light down. You can wind up tearing the "witches hat" seal in the headlight.
If you need to let the lights down manually, you can do it, just be careful because you can get your finger caught in the mechanism easily and possibly lose a finger. Just push on the back of the knee in the mechanism and the light should come down. Go easy when doing this and do not force the light down. You can wind up tearing the "witches hat" seal in the headlight.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,202
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I believe putting the lights down manually is hard on the diaphragm in the actuators. Disconnecting the hoses from the actuators allows the vacuum to bleed off with out putting undo pressure on the diaphragms.
There is a point of pressure in the linkage that must also be over come when you begin to pull the lights closed.
Regards,
Alan
This is the 'elbow' ( lower center in the picture, silver part) you want to pull down on. DON"T pull on the plastic electrical switch... it's easy to break.
Hi Eddie, You beat me to it., I'm a slow typist.
I believe putting the lights down manually is hard on the diaphragm in the actuators. Disconnecting the hoses from the actuators allows the vacuum to bleed off with out putting undo pressure on the diaphragms.
There is a point of pressure in the linkage that must also be over come when you begin to pull the lights closed.
Regards,
Alan
This is the 'elbow' ( lower center in the picture, silver part) you want to pull down on. DON"T pull on the plastic electrical switch... it's easy to break.
Hi Eddie, You beat me to it., I'm a slow typist.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Hi,
I believe putting the lights down manually is hard on the diaphragm in the actuators. Disconnecting the hoses from the actuators allows the vacuum to bleed off with out putting undo pressure on the diaphragms.
There is a point of pressure in the linkage that must also be over come when you begin to pull the lights closed.
Regards,
Alan
This is the 'elbow' ( lower center in the picture, silver part) you want to pull down on. DON"T pull on the plastic electrical switch... it's easy to break.
Hi Eddie, You beat me to it., I'm a slow typist.
I believe putting the lights down manually is hard on the diaphragm in the actuators. Disconnecting the hoses from the actuators allows the vacuum to bleed off with out putting undo pressure on the diaphragms.
There is a point of pressure in the linkage that must also be over come when you begin to pull the lights closed.
Regards,
Alan
This is the 'elbow' ( lower center in the picture, silver part) you want to pull down on. DON"T pull on the plastic electrical switch... it's easy to break.
Hi Eddie, You beat me to it., I'm a slow typist.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
C3 headlights in the up position
A couple more questions before I get started. Because my son (just back from Iraq) said: He cranked the starter and then the lights popped up. Is there anything electrical that could be the problem? What is the location and function of the Vacuum Relay? We only have 2 days together here in GA., so thank you in advance for your help! Also Eddie & Al Thank You!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
A couple more questions before I get started. Because my son (just back from Iraq) said: He cranked the starter and then the lights popped up. Is there anything electrical that could be the problem? What is the location and function of the Vacuum Relay? We only have 2 days together here in GA., so thank you in advance for your help! Also Eddie & Al Thank You!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
A couple more questions before I get started. Because my son (just back from Iraq) said: He cranked the starter and then the lights popped up. Is there anything electrical that could be the problem? What is the location and function of the Vacuum Relay? We only have 2 days together here in GA., so thank you in advance for your help! Also Eddie & Al Thank You!
You can't screw anything up by disconnecting hoses at each stage.
Jim
