headlights wont go up!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
headlights wont go up!
On My 1982 corvette, the right headlight would only open halfway, and the left one would open all the way.
I opened the headlights and pulled the manual override switch into the down position to keep the headlights open.
So I got underneath it and started carefully poking around.
the right headlight suddenly closed so I pushed it back up.
then with the same amount of minimal force, I pulled on the other head light and it did not come down as the other one did.
So I looked around at the right head light and noticed that one of the springs was missing, the right outer spring was gone.
so I ordered a new one from Davies corvette parts.
When it arrived I put it on thinking that my problem was solved.
so I pulled the headlight switch to turn on the head lights, and now both lights will not go up.
the lights are on but they won't go up.
My question is did I damage something by pushing the light back up manually, when it closed due to no spring being there?
now the only way to keep the lights up is with the manual override switch.
I would appreciate some advise.
thanks Wrenchdoghttps://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/images/smilies/crazy.gif
I opened the headlights and pulled the manual override switch into the down position to keep the headlights open.
So I got underneath it and started carefully poking around.
the right headlight suddenly closed so I pushed it back up.
then with the same amount of minimal force, I pulled on the other head light and it did not come down as the other one did.
So I looked around at the right head light and noticed that one of the springs was missing, the right outer spring was gone.
so I ordered a new one from Davies corvette parts.
When it arrived I put it on thinking that my problem was solved.
so I pulled the headlight switch to turn on the head lights, and now both lights will not go up.
the lights are on but they won't go up.
My question is did I damage something by pushing the light back up manually, when it closed due to no spring being there?
now the only way to keep the lights up is with the manual override switch.
I would appreciate some advise.
thanks Wrenchdoghttps://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/images/smilies/crazy.gif
Last edited by wrenchdog; Jul 16, 2015 at 12:51 AM. Reason: missed something
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
Vacuum applied to the front of the headlight actuators opens the headlights and vacuum applied to the rear closes them. The actuators have shaft seals on the front and those seals will go bad after a number of years. The $20 repair kit contains enough parts to reseal both actuators.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
The vacuum relay(s) are another common source of leaks. I had to replace all three on my 70, never had to touch the actuators. After replacing the relays, verifying there are not other leaks, headlights go up and down quickly.
I doubt you damaged anything when manually raising the headlight.
I doubt you damaged anything when manually raising the headlight.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 504
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
GM designed both the 68-82 headlights and the 68-72 wiper panel to be manually opened in an emergency. To open the headlights, you have to carefully pull down on the middle of the linkage mechanism, and be very watchful of your hand as the mechanism springs pop the door up. You could get your hand caught. You should practice this ahead of time to be able to do this easily. Lou.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 930
Likes: 333
From: Sherrills Ford North Carolina
Thank You!
GM designed both the 68-82 headlights and the 68-72 wiper panel to be manually opened in an emergency. To open the headlights, you have to carefully pull down on the middle of the linkage mechanism, and be very watchful of your hand as the mechanism springs pop the door up. You could get your hand caught. You should practice this ahead of time to be able to do this easily. Lou.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 504
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
Okay, I just crawled under my "beater" and did this for you and got all dirty. I'm kidding, I always use cardboard to lay on. Had a creeper once and they are a pain in the butt to use.
With one hand, push up on the flat part of the bottom of your headlamp assembly, just past the linkage mechanism. There is a flat triangular area to push up on. With the other hand, you will have to grab and pull up on the headlamp assembly because it only wants to rise about 2-3" by just pushing from the bottom.
It is the manual lowering of the headlamp that can get your hand. I hope that this helps you out. If the assembly does not want to move, something is binding. Lou.
With one hand, push up on the flat part of the bottom of your headlamp assembly, just past the linkage mechanism. There is a flat triangular area to push up on. With the other hand, you will have to grab and pull up on the headlamp assembly because it only wants to rise about 2-3" by just pushing from the bottom.
It is the manual lowering of the headlamp that can get your hand. I hope that this helps you out. If the assembly does not want to move, something is binding. Lou.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
I had to manually open and close the headlights for a couple weeks while I was waiting for some vacuum parts. Not hard at all just takes a minute to do. You can reach up from the bottom. Once they are locked in place they won't come down until you pull them down. As mentioned though be careful that you keep your hands clear of the moving parts.