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Vacuum Relay Valves

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Old Aug 23, 2005 | 11:51 AM
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Default Vacuum Relay Valves

Hi, has anyone replaced their vacuum relay valves with an aftermarket valve and had either their h/l or wiper door oper and close on engine start up as my right h/l opens then closes and I noticed the valve had been replaced, and I had the same problem with the wiper door opening and closing after I replaced that valve and when I put the original one back in the problem went away, I think that the diapham spring inside the valve is stonger than the original ones were, therefore the vacuum going to the acuator is delayed and the end result is it will open then close. (page 12-46 of the 1970 service manual)And I believe the theory of operation is that for the acuators to be in the "closed" position you must have vacuum present and if the vacuum is cut off the acuators open, (at least on the signal line, not the acuators themselves.) Your thoughs?

Last edited by JIMS1970VETTE; Aug 23, 2005 at 11:53 AM.
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Old Aug 23, 2005 | 12:01 PM
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Originally Posted by JIMS1970VETTE
Hi, has anyone replaced their vacuum relay valves with an aftermarket valve and had either their h/l or wiper door oper and close on engine start up as my right h/l opens then closes and I noticed the valve had been replaced, and I had the same problem with the wiper door opening and closing after I replaced that valve and when I put the original one back in the problem went away, I think that the diapham spring inside the valve is stonger than the original ones were, therefore the vacuum going to the acuator is delayed and the end result is it will open then close. (page 12-46 of the 1970 service manual)And I believe the theory of operation is that for the acuators to be in the "closed" position you must have vacuum present and if the vacuum is cut off the acuators open, (at least on the signal line, not the acuators themselves.) Your thoughs?

Have you replaced your vacuum check valve lately? It could be weak and the new relay has caused the problem to surface.
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Old Aug 23, 2005 | 12:20 PM
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FYI.....I had bought 4 repro. vacuum relays from Ecklers a while ago, 3 out of the 4 had severe internal leaks..looks like they used the wrong o-ring on the moving plunger...
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Old Aug 23, 2005 | 12:30 PM
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Yes I replaced the filter, check valve and ALL the vacuum lines (about 70 feet!) I have gone through two relay valves and one had a leak and the other will cause the acuator to open and close(leaky?) I will try and get NOS next time.

Last edited by JIMS1970VETTE; Aug 23, 2005 at 01:05 PM.
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Old Aug 23, 2005 | 12:39 PM
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Yep, any leaks and the system performance suffers...
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Old Aug 26, 2005 | 10:43 PM
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I just got the vacuum relay (NOS) today and will put in the morning and see if I still have the same problem, also I notice that the GM part is silver cad not golden in color like the repro.
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Old Aug 26, 2005 | 11:05 PM
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Check them using a vacuum pump before you install them.
1. Apply vacuum to the center port of the body and put your finger over the bottom body port and make sure it holds.
2. Apply vacuum to the top metal port and hold the vacuum by clamping the hose to the metal port. Then apply vacuum to the center body port and put your finger over the top body port and make sure it holds.
3. When you release the vacuum applied to the top metal port the valve should return to its shelf state which should be the same as described in #1.
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Old Aug 27, 2005 | 04:11 PM
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Well I replaced the relay valve for the right h/l and the problem went away (opening and closing on engine start up) it seems that the repro relay valves may have a different tension on the internal diaphram than the NOS versions? I dont know for sure but as in this forum as well as word of mouth I have heard there are problems with the repro units. SO stick with NOS when you can
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Old Aug 28, 2005 | 01:31 AM
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did eklers replace the bad relays u bought from them free of charge?

I actually bought 2 relays from The Last Detail- and im pretty sure they are both bad.
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Old Aug 29, 2005 | 02:19 PM
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I got mine from the Corvette Stop and are replacing them and also checking with the manufacture on the problem.
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Old Aug 29, 2005 | 02:20 PM
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Originally Posted by dyanisis2
did eklers replace the bad relays u bought from them free of charge?

I actually bought 2 relays from The Last Detail- and im pretty sure they are both bad.

Ecklers replaced mine, no charge
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