1977 Headlight problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 182
Likes: 14
From: Rangiora,New Zealand
1977 Headlight problem
Hi Guys,hope someone can help,my LH headlight doesn't want to open all the time but when I connect it direct to the small white stripe vacuum line(disconnect at the tee) it works perfect.I have checked the actuator and it seems ok,may be not enough vacuum for both from the manifold?
The RH unit works well.
The other problem is both highbeam lights wont go is there a fuse for that?
Thanks for any help
cheers Dave NZ
The RH unit works well.
The other problem is both highbeam lights wont go is there a fuse for that?
Thanks for any help
cheers Dave NZ
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 4
From: Okinawa Okinawa
Take a look at this site. http://www.corvette-101.com/vacuum.htm
There is a step by step troubleshooting guide for all the headlight parts. I just did this and will be replacing both actuators this next weekend.
Not an expert by any means on the high beams. If you pull up the carpet on your drivers side, you will be able to see the switch that you hit with your foot and see if the connection is made there and trace the wires down until you get to your high beams and see where the problem is.
There is a step by step troubleshooting guide for all the headlight parts. I just did this and will be replacing both actuators this next weekend.
Not an expert by any means on the high beams. If you pull up the carpet on your drivers side, you will be able to see the switch that you hit with your foot and see if the connection is made there and trace the wires down until you get to your high beams and see where the problem is.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 1
From: grand prairie texas
Do you have the T/T steering column? I know you are going to think this is weird but on my 77 I had problems getting the beams to change I lowered my steering tilt to the lowest position and then actuated the high beam lever and the lights worked properly. I found that the rod from the lever to the high beam switch mounted on the column was out of adjustment. I dont know if that is your problem but just give it a try to see if the rod is out of adjustment
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
Hi Guys,hope someone can help,my LH headlight doesn't want to open all the time but when I connect it direct to the small white stripe vacuum line(disconnect at the tee) it works perfect.I have checked the actuator and it seems ok,may be not enough vacuum for both from the manifold?
The RH unit works well.
The other problem is both highbeam lights wont go is there a fuse for that?
Thanks for any help
cheers Dave NZ
The RH unit works well.
The other problem is both highbeam lights wont go is there a fuse for that?
Thanks for any help
cheers Dave NZ
From what you're saying, you are hooking up the vacuum directly to the actuator (big canister) correct? If so, you are bypassing the relay valve, so it sounds like you found your problem. Each side has it's own valve. I just redid our system and went with a single relay valve for both sides.
Here is a post that has a fantastic amount of diagnostic info for the headlight system. I trust this over the Corvette 101 info as I found issues with their diagnostic recommendations:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...tem-works.html
Our '77's have the high beam on the blinker switch which runs a metal rod down to a electrical switch mounted towards the bottom of the steering column. I have a similar issue with ours (selecting high beams kills all 4 headlights) and everything is pointing to that switch. Will take time to track back power etc after the Christmas holiday.
Pull on your high beams and start back tracking with a test light from the lights. See where your power loss starts, but almost bet it's that switch or something related to that portion of the system.
Hope this helps a little
Adam
Last edited by AdamMeh; Dec 16, 2012 at 09:34 AM. Reason: additional info
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 182
Likes: 14
From: Rangiora,New Zealand
Hey Dave,
From what you're saying, you are hooking up the vacuum directly to the actuator (big canister) correct? If so, you are bypassing the relay valve, so it sounds like you found your problem. Each side has it's own valve. I just redid our system and went with a single relay valve for both sides.
Here is a post that has a fantastic amount of diagnostic info for the headlight system. I trust this over the Corvette 101 info as I found issues with their diagnostic recommendations:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...tem-works.html
Our '77's have the high beam on the blinker switch which runs a metal rod down to a electrical switch mounted towards the bottom of the steering column. I have a similar issue with ours (selecting high beams kills all 4 headlights) and everything is pointing to that switch. Will take time to track back power etc after the Christmas holiday.
Pull on your high beams and start back tracking with a test light from the lights. See where your power loss starts, but almost bet it's that switch or something related to that portion of the system.
Hope this helps a little
Adam
From what you're saying, you are hooking up the vacuum directly to the actuator (big canister) correct? If so, you are bypassing the relay valve, so it sounds like you found your problem. Each side has it's own valve. I just redid our system and went with a single relay valve for both sides.
Here is a post that has a fantastic amount of diagnostic info for the headlight system. I trust this over the Corvette 101 info as I found issues with their diagnostic recommendations:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...tem-works.html
Our '77's have the high beam on the blinker switch which runs a metal rod down to a electrical switch mounted towards the bottom of the steering column. I have a similar issue with ours (selecting high beams kills all 4 headlights) and everything is pointing to that switch. Will take time to track back power etc after the Christmas holiday.
Pull on your high beams and start back tracking with a test light from the lights. See where your power loss starts, but almost bet it's that switch or something related to that portion of the system.
Hope this helps a little
Adam
as for the hi beam will check this out and come back to you cheers Dave
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 182
Likes: 14
From: Rangiora,New Zealand
Take a look at this site. http://www.corvette-101.com/vacuum.htm
There is a step by step troubleshooting guide for all the headlight parts. I just did this and will be replacing both actuators this next weekend.
Not an expert by any means on the high beams. If you pull up the carpet on your drivers side, you will be able to see the switch that you hit with your foot and see if the connection is made there and trace the wires down until you get to your high beams and see where the problem is.
There is a step by step troubleshooting guide for all the headlight parts. I just did this and will be replacing both actuators this next weekend.
Not an expert by any means on the high beams. If you pull up the carpet on your drivers side, you will be able to see the switch that you hit with your foot and see if the connection is made there and trace the wires down until you get to your high beams and see where the problem is.
that web site has great info
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 182
Likes: 14
From: Rangiora,New Zealand
Do you have the T/T steering column? I know you are going to think this is weird but on my 77 I had problems getting the beams to change I lowered my steering tilt to the lowest position and then actuated the high beam lever and the lights worked properly. I found that the rod from the lever to the high beam switch mounted on the column was out of adjustment. I dont know if that is your problem but just give it a try to see if the rod is out of adjustment
cheers Dave
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 182
Likes: 14
From: Rangiora,New Zealand
The LH headlight wouldn't lift up because the actuators rubber boot was ripped,simple hey!
cheers Dave
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski