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Old Feb 12, 2013 | 11:08 PM
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Hello All, I had fantastic advice and and knowledge on my last post for problems getting the car running so I am now turning to the pros on here for some more help....

My lights won't flip up. I saw another post about the switch under the dash but even on both different positions it still won't flip up. I do have some vacuum leaks I am repairing but they don't seem too intense. The lights do come on but don't flip up. Any ideas?
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Old Feb 13, 2013 | 08:07 AM
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Check your vacuum hoses at the actuators. They can get cracked and leak or get unplugged from the t-connector. When the lights are on, can you manually open the headlight doors and do they stay up when you do?

When I first bought my 82CE back in 1985, I was a rookie when it came to Vette knowledge. I did not know the car had a factory alarm and set it off one afternoon. I was looking for the horns to unplug them until I figured out how to shut the alarm. While looking for the horns, I had unplugged one of the vacuum lines. Later that evening, I turned on the lights and they did not go up. When I opened the hood I could hear the vacuum leak. You might want to try to see if you can hear any leaks.
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Old Feb 13, 2013 | 08:13 AM
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Check for vacuum at the relays.

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Old Feb 13, 2013 | 08:31 AM
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When I pinch the line going to the front of the car the idle slows so I know there is a leak. They are all plugged in so I will have to change the hose. How would I manually bring the lights up?
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Old Feb 13, 2013 | 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by 82VETTEMIAMI
When I pinch the line going to the front of the car the idle slows so I know there is a leak. They are all plugged in so I will have to change the hose. How would I manually bring the lights up?
Pull the switch under the dash down then if you can get your fingers under the headlight door edge pull up until they lock in place. If you can't get your fingers under the edge, you'll have to go from underneath. Once they lock in place, they should stay that way until you find the problem.
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Old Feb 13, 2013 | 12:01 PM
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Originally Posted by 82VETTEMIAMI
When I pinch the line going to the front of the car the idle slows so I know there is a leak. They are all plugged in so I will have to change the hose. How would I manually bring the lights up?
Take the hoses off the distribution valves and suck or blow (forgot which) on each one, If the diaphram in the actuator is good the light should go up. If its like sucking or blowing through a straw, no resistance actuators may need seals.
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Old Feb 13, 2013 | 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by 82VETTEMIAMI
When I pinch the line going to the front of the car the idle slows so I know there is a leak. They are all plugged in so I will have to change the hose. How would I manually bring the lights up?
If the idle goes down the vacuum leak is not plugged.
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Old Feb 13, 2013 | 08:26 PM
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Blow through upper hose to raise, lower hose to go back down.
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Old Feb 13, 2013 | 09:25 PM
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I would not try to stick my hand underneath the headlight doors with the vacuum system going. The linkage could cut a finger off, if it takes off on you. Lou.
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Old Feb 13, 2013 | 11:31 PM
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Ok so I can get the lights to go up and down if directly connect the vacuum hose to the lights. I appear to have a leak at the part where the three hoses hook up (book says its called a relay). Could that be my problem? It leaks air out of the bottom, enough to change idle.
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Old Feb 14, 2013 | 08:06 AM
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Where is this part?
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Old Feb 14, 2013 | 08:33 AM
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The hoses connect to it at the middle of the front nose of the car.
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Old Feb 14, 2013 | 08:41 AM
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Originally Posted by 82VETTEMIAMI
The hoses connect to it at the middle of the front nose of the car.
Are you talking about the can? That part that looks like a cofee tin?
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Old Feb 14, 2013 | 08:47 AM
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See link. Do you see that part you are tlking about.

http://willcoxcorvette.com/popup_image.php?pID=27050

go to post 85 of this thread for a better diagram and explanation

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...m-works-5.html

this thread may help

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...questions.html

Last edited by jdp6000; Feb 14, 2013 at 08:54 AM.
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Old Feb 15, 2013 | 08:25 AM
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So my relays leak a lot of vacuum out the bottom, enough to change idle. Should I replace those or should there be some air coming through? I removed them from the car and when I press the middle in with a small screw driver it will hold vacuum if my finger is in the small opening up top.
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Old Feb 15, 2013 | 08:32 AM
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Originally Posted by 82VETTEMIAMI
So my relays leak a lot of vacuum out the bottom, enough to change idle. Should I replace those or should there be some air coming through? I removed them from the car and when I press the middle in with a small screw driver it will hold vacuum if my finger is in the small opening up top.
Watch this entire video. The relay you are talking about is at around the 8 minute mark. Its easier then trying to explain:

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Old Feb 15, 2013 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by 82VETTEMIAMI
I appear to have a leak at the part where the three hoses hook up (book says its called a relay). Could that be my problem?
Yes. The relay controls vacuum to the actuator.
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