help, how does my Vette work?!?
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Parkerville WA
help, how does my Vette work?!?
Hi Guys, ive bought a 1978 vette, only it needs a bit of work, and as i havent owned one before a couple of things have me stumped....
the lights at the front seem to be permanently UP. they work when i pull out the switch, but are they supposed to go DOWN when the switch is pushed all the way in, or does something else do that for me? theres a switch/lever to the left of the heater controls that you toggle up.down, have NO IDEA what that does... (is that the light controls???)
and thirdly, my steering column has something wrong with it, its telescoping like crazy... i think the button/lever on right hand side is supposed to operate it in and out, but it seems to be free and easy, tand that lever does squat. common problem? major issue? obvioulsy its not terribly safe to be driving around like that i reckon... any help would be muchly appreciated....
the lights at the front seem to be permanently UP. they work when i pull out the switch, but are they supposed to go DOWN when the switch is pushed all the way in, or does something else do that for me? theres a switch/lever to the left of the heater controls that you toggle up.down, have NO IDEA what that does... (is that the light controls???)
and thirdly, my steering column has something wrong with it, its telescoping like crazy... i think the button/lever on right hand side is supposed to operate it in and out, but it seems to be free and easy, tand that lever does squat. common problem? major issue? obvioulsy its not terribly safe to be driving around like that i reckon... any help would be muchly appreciated....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 807
Likes: 2
From: VIRGINIA BEACH VIRGINIA
VONS, welcome to the forum and good luck on your 78. Right under the steering wheel there is a switch that you can pull down or push up. it is the bypass valve for the headlights. it sounds like the switch is pulled out, this will keep your headlights up. Push the valve in and then start the car and your headlights should go down.
That switch that is by the heater controls is for the rear window defroster. There should be a little green light with is too.
As far as the steering wheel, right on top of the horn button there is lever/disc that you move to the left or right to tighten the telescoping. move it to the left and then should stop the telescoping where you want it.
Vacuum problems are a pain and WILLCOX has some outstanding parts and diagrams that will assist. they actually have diagrams for almost everything on your car. With a lot more money, and questions answered here, you will get your car running. Everyone here really helped me getting my 79 up and running.
Don't for get the search engine also! Good luck
Dan
That switch that is by the heater controls is for the rear window defroster. There should be a little green light with is too.
As far as the steering wheel, right on top of the horn button there is lever/disc that you move to the left or right to tighten the telescoping. move it to the left and then should stop the telescoping where you want it.
Vacuum problems are a pain and WILLCOX has some outstanding parts and diagrams that will assist. they actually have diagrams for almost everything on your car. With a lot more money, and questions answered here, you will get your car running. Everyone here really helped me getting my 79 up and running.
Don't for get the search engine also! Good luck
Dan
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Purchase an owner's manual and read through it. Owner's manual explains the headlight override, rear window defrost, and the tilt/tele lock ring.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Aug 19, 2011 at 09:22 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,642
Likes: 3,103
From: Shamong, NJ
dgood's right, push up the black override button that's under the column, to see if the lamps close. If not, you probably have a vacuum problem, either with the hoses, relays or canister.
As was stated, the toggle to the left of the heater control is the rear defogger switch.
The lever on the right of your column, is supposed to release the ignition key from the switch. It has nothing to do with the tilt & tele function. The telescoping feature is controlled by a **** and ring, below the horn, at the top of the column when the wheel is centered. It moves from about the 10 o'clock position, to the 2 o'clock position. 2 o'clock is locked. The tilting feature is controled by the lower lever (the one below the turn signal stalk) on the left of the column.
As was stated, the toggle to the left of the heater control is the rear defogger switch.
The lever on the right of your column, is supposed to release the ignition key from the switch. It has nothing to do with the tilt & tele function. The telescoping feature is controlled by a **** and ring, below the horn, at the top of the column when the wheel is centered. It moves from about the 10 o'clock position, to the 2 o'clock position. 2 o'clock is locked. The tilting feature is controled by the lower lever (the one below the turn signal stalk) on the left of the column.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 99
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
sounds like you need to rework the vacuum system some. on mine (78 also) i finally just decided to replace all the lines, the filter and the check valve and start from there, but mine was pretty well bubba'd and i figured i would at least know that all the lines were good, etc. if you wish to lower the lights manually, if you look up at them from the bottom you will see the mechanism. by pulling down from the center gently, you will get the lights down. interestingly, it is usually a problem to get them up, not down, lol. if they do go up, it would appear that somewhere you have lines "crossed" probably on the actuators
