Headlight Actuator Relay Valve

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Dec 3, 2012 | 07:33 PM

AdamMeh

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From: Peoria Arizona

Headlight Actuator Relay Valve

I did a search but was not able to find a post that I saw previously which covered this question.

Someone on here had hooked up their headlight system using a single valve - I'm guessing they just used a "t" in each line. This method should work correctly no?

Thanks for any thoughts,
Adam

Dec 3, 2012 | 07:36 PM

Raphiki

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From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois

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That's the way I have mine hooked up. I was having trouble with the lights not rising together so I connected everything through one actuator. Works fine!

Dec 3, 2012 | 07:42 PM

AdamMeh

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From: Peoria Arizona

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raphiki

That's the way I have mine hooked up. I was having trouble with the lights not rising together so I connected everything through one actuator. Works fine!

I **think** it may have been your post I saw someplace

So you kept everything else the same - both actuators etc, just a single valve running to both sides? Stock vacuum canister...

Thanks for any details.

Adam

Dec 3, 2012 | 11:07 PM

Raphiki

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From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois

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Since running it that way I was also able to eliminate one of the vacuum lines running from the vacuum canister to the relay valve. Not a big step but cleans things up a bit.

Dec 4, 2012 | 12:36 AM

PeteZO6

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From: Cameron Park CA

For some reason the General made a change after MY 1969. For '68 & '69 production only one headlight relay was used.

Then for MY 1970 and beyond, a T was used for the vacuum supply to the two relays - the control side. Individual vacuum lines (from the tank?) for the operating side of the relay were used.

Since I have a late '69, I am pretty versed on that system. Later models I'm not very familiar with. The basic operation is the same for all C3 years.

Bottom line: You should be able to use a single valve (relay) with no problem by using a T in each operating line.

Pete

Dec 4, 2012 | 09:48 AM

Easy Mike

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From: Southbound

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Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamMeh

...Someone on here had hooked up their headlight system using a single valve - I'm guessing they just used a "t" in each line. This method should work correctly no?...

68s have only one headlight relay and use tees. Works fine.

FWIW: two are better; one for each headlight door.

Dec 4, 2012 | 10:39 AM

TWINRAY

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From: Working on the car NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeteZO6

For some reason the General made a change after MY 1969. For '68 & '69 production only one headlight relay was used.

Pete

My '69 has one relay valve for the headlights mounted under the nose and one relay valve for the wipers (which I need a new one

) mounted on the firewall in the engine compartment. 2 would be probably better but that means you have to monitor 2 working. With 1, it either works or it doesn't. FWIW, on those needing replacement valve, rumor is that the imports ($40-60) are at least, on par, with the oem valves (at $125 or so I think). Strange as that may seem. It seems at one point, the oem ones were a better replacement but their quality went down the tubes. The imports were poorly made but their quality now ( from what I've read here) is better than oem. Probably oem went abroad with production to a facility that doesn't have good quality standards. All this FWIW.