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

C3 lights

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 12, 2022 | 01:29 PM
  #1  
1Dirtydog's Avatar
1Dirtydog
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
 
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default C3 lights

Hey all
I have a 71 ragtop. I have a problem with my lights and wipers and I am unsure where to start. Lights and wipers both work but the lights will not pop up with the light switch and the cover over the wipers will not open from the wiper switch. Both will open from the manual pull down switch below the column. Ideas?
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2022 | 01:34 PM
  #2  
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

Have the lights and wipers worked correctly from the dash in the past?
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2022 | 06:16 PM
  #3  
general ike's Avatar
general ike
Melting Slicks
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,377
Likes: 838
From: New York
2017 C3 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '20- '21
Default

Well the good news is that the system works for the most part. You have an issue with your vacuum system. It is a simple yet complicated system.

There are many posts on this forum that will have schematics on how to diagnose and repair the system.

Take your time. Follow the steps and good luck. Ike
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2022 | 06:35 PM
  #4  
1Dirtydog's Avatar
1Dirtydog
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
 
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default

since I have had the car (5yrs) they have never worked from the switches. Only from the manual over ride below the column

Reply
Old Mar 12, 2022 | 06:50 PM
  #5  
general ike's Avatar
general ike
Melting Slicks
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,377
Likes: 838
From: New York
2017 C3 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '20- '21
Default

Hmm I cannot seem to find a good link for you and I am not by my laptop.

The overrides are there for emergency and maintenance reasons. The main switches are there to control the lights and wipers.

They control the system differently through lines and “control valves” Your job is to figure which has failed. Ike
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2022 | 09:21 PM
  #6  
Mooser's Avatar
Mooser
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,333
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Default



Strange part is the system works on a "needs vacuum at the relay to work" principle, opening the headlights means the vacuum is "lost" by either the pull down or headlight switch. Since the over-ride is working then the vacuum is "going through" the headlight switch properly but when the switch is pulled it should open the vacuum and it's not. Normally you'd think it would fail the other way and leak rather than not
I'd wonder if someone bypassed the headlight switch vacuum
M
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2022 | 06:34 AM
  #7  
derekderek's Avatar
derekderek
Race Director
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,398
From: SW Florida.
Default

cutting off vacuum opens lights and/or wiper door. the 2 switches are "wired" in series on each circuit. either one will close off vacuum. so, either both main switches failed and stay open or both have been disconnected. or both...
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To C3 lights





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:39 PM.

story-0
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-1
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-20 17:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-2
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
story-3
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-7
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE