C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

82 flip up lights

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 12, 2013 | 11:08 PM
  #1  
82VETTEMIAMI's Avatar
82VETTEMIAMI
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Default 82 flip up lights

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?
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2013 | 08:07 AM
  #2  
Tally Ho's Avatar
Tally Ho
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Air Force
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 16,482
Likes: 2,374
From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

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.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2013 | 08:13 AM
  #3  
Easy Mike's Avatar
Easy Mike
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

Check for vacuum at the relays.

Reply
Old Feb 13, 2013 | 08:31 AM
  #4  
82VETTEMIAMI's Avatar
82VETTEMIAMI
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Default

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?
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2013 | 09:54 AM
  #5  
Tally Ho's Avatar
Tally Ho
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Air Force
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 16,482
Likes: 2,374
From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

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.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2013 | 12:01 PM
  #6  
jdp6000's Avatar
jdp6000
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Default

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.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2013 | 12:03 PM
  #7  
jdp6000's Avatar
jdp6000
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Default

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.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2013 | 08:26 PM
  #8  
Arkyvette's Avatar
Arkyvette
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 28
From: Burkburnett TX
Default

Blow through upper hose to raise, lower hose to go back down.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Feb 13, 2013 | 09:25 PM
  #9  
loup68's Avatar
loup68
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,033
Likes: 503
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
Default

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.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2013 | 11:31 PM
  #10  
82VETTEMIAMI's Avatar
82VETTEMIAMI
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Default

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.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2013 | 08:06 AM
  #11  
jdp6000's Avatar
jdp6000
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Default

Where is this part?
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2013 | 08:33 AM
  #12  
82VETTEMIAMI's Avatar
82VETTEMIAMI
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Default

The hoses connect to it at the middle of the front nose of the car.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2013 | 08:41 AM
  #13  
jdp6000's Avatar
jdp6000
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Default

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?
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2013 | 08:47 AM
  #14  
jdp6000's Avatar
jdp6000
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Default

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.
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2013 | 08:25 AM
  #15  
82VETTEMIAMI's Avatar
82VETTEMIAMI
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Default

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.
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2013 | 08:32 AM
  #16  
jdp6000's Avatar
jdp6000
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Default

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:

Reply
Old Feb 15, 2013 | 12:48 PM
  #17  
Easy Mike's Avatar
Easy Mike
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

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.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 82 flip up lights





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:57 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE