electric head lights
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
electric head lights
I am changing out my vacuum head lights to electric head lights, I have a 1969 corvette. wondering if anybody has done this
to there car? and if so, can you tell me how the best way to wire the lights to open when turning on, and closing when turning off.
thank you.
to there car? and if so, can you tell me how the best way to wire the lights to open when turning on, and closing when turning off.
thank you.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Here is a good read. I am just doing this now. I bought a kit that someone had never installed. came with a wiring harness.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...c-new-way.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...c-new-way.html
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
Richard454 will probably chime in here or you can search for post by him on this topic. I used his brackets, heim joints and instructions. I bought Ford Probe actuators from Rockauto (no core charge) and got actuator arms and harnesses from a Probe in a junk yard. I think I got to diodes from Radio Shack but you can order them on line. While I was doing this I wired my headlights so they are powered from the horn relay bus rather than through the headlight switch. You have to open the wire bundle anyway so why not.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,872
Likes: 3,548
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
Richard454 will probably chime in here or you can search for post by him on this topic. I used his brackets, heim joints and instructions. I bought Ford Probe actuators from Rockauto (no core charge) and got actuator arms and harnesses from a Probe in a junk yard. I think I got to diodes from Radio Shack but you can order them on line. While I was doing this I wired my headlights so they are powered from the horn relay bus rather than through the headlight switch. You have to open the wire bundle anyway so why not.
I've put together a PDF on how to do it. Just shoot me and email and I'll be glad to send it to you. richard454 at comcast dot net
As far as wiring- I've made up a male/female plug that simply plugs in between the headlight and factory harness- no cutting up to connect. It brings the headlights up when you turn on the lights and goes down when you turn them off. And it's not affected by high or low beam. I also have made one up that will keep the lights up till you turn off the parking light- say if you want to run halo lights or service/clean them.
A few have used the parking lights to control - HOWEVER-if you turn on the hazard flashers the lights will jump up and down!!!
Another way is replacing the headlight switch with a C4 one- but then you have to run wires all the way inside the cabin.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I've put together a PDF on how to do it. Just shoot me and email and I'll be glad to send it to you. richard454 at comcast dot net
As far as wiring- I've made up a male/female plug that simply plugs in between the headlight and factory harness- no cutting up to connect. It brings the headlights up when you turn on the lights and goes down when you turn them off. And it's not affected by high or low beam. I also have made one up that will keep the lights up till you turn off the parking light- say if you want to run halo lights or service/clean them.
A few have used the parking lights to control - HOWEVER-if you turn on the hazard flashers the lights will jump up and down!!!
Another way is replacing the headlight switch with a C4 one- but then you have to run wires all the way inside the cabin.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 74
From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I bought and installed the kit from Richard454 a couple years ago. Works great. So nice to know that when turn on the lights they will actually go up and when you turn them off they go down! What a concept!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,872
Likes: 3,548
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
So it is your wiring harness that I got then. I bought it from someone here on the forum not knowing who made up the kit but it must have been you. I have it all mounted up and the relay and harness in. Not permanent but enough to see how it all fits. I have not put power to it yet. I may have a few questions down the road. The brackets and all fit great. The harness looks great also. Should be able to put some power to it shortly.
just shoot me an email- I have a simple - couple step instructions to easily clock the motors and set the rod length for the final installation.
And they go up and down in unison -quickly!!!!
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 250
Likes: 34
From: Jackson SC
Richard, does your installation PDF give instructions on which of the vacuum hoses should be plugged off and which should be re-routed in order to keep good vacuum to the wiper door and AC/Heat controls?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,004
Likes: 104
From: NC
You could look up th closest LKQ u pull it nd see if they have any on hand.(I didn't use a LKQ)
Last edited by Rodnok1; Dec 6, 2018 at 08:15 AM.
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 186
Likes: 18
From: Lower Mainland British Columbia
I have used Richard's kit twice. Once for my own car and second time for a friend.
Second time I purchased a complete kit from Richard with the motors and everything required. saved a lot of time.
Not sure if has motors all the time, but his kit and instructions are excellent.
Only thing you have to figure out yourself is where you want to mount relays and fuses, and make a bracket.
Mine are mounted up under the nose where old vacuum parts were mounted.
Second time I purchased a complete kit from Richard with the motors and everything required. saved a lot of time.
Not sure if has motors all the time, but his kit and instructions are excellent.
Only thing you have to figure out yourself is where you want to mount relays and fuses, and make a bracket.
Mine are mounted up under the nose where old vacuum parts were mounted.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 331
Likes: 29
From: Moyock NC
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
