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Headlight Relays

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Old Dec 21, 2005 | 05:24 PM
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Default Headlight Relays

Is there any reason to have 2 headlight relays? Why couldn't I just use 1 and tee off the red and grean hoses after they come out of the relay. I guess one might be a little slower than the other. Anybody ever tried this? The darn things are quite expensive!
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Old Dec 21, 2005 | 05:27 PM
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You can always rebuild them alot cheaper than new . It seems to me there is a reason the car comes with two not one.

Kona
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Old Dec 21, 2005 | 05:36 PM
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Some years had one. Sorry, with my advanced CRS syndrome, I dont't remember what years they were.
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Old Dec 21, 2005 | 06:25 PM
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I would think that there is no reason you can't just run on one vac relay. I have not tried it myself but I have seen several folks on here reply that they are running on just one. Should help eliminate another source of a vaccum leak.
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Old Dec 21, 2005 | 06:29 PM
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Jimmy
I have a 73 vette, it suposed to have two reallys but currently only has one. Only one light comes up at a time right now. I am not sure why this is. It may be because it can only pull so much air through one relay at a time. I am currently putting in two working relays in order to try an get both lights working properly. If i have positive results I will let you know. Good luck

James
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Old Dec 21, 2005 | 06:37 PM
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I think my 81 has only one relay, there is a delay with the passenger side coming up and sometimes anything coming up!
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Old Dec 21, 2005 | 07:14 PM
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'68 & '69 'vettes used only 1 headlamp vacum relay unit. With the 1970 model, 2 were used, at least thru 1972 as well.
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Old Dec 21, 2005 | 07:37 PM
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I have a 76 and the headlights come up one at a time and always have. Not sure if this means I only have one relay but it would seem that way.
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Old Dec 21, 2005 | 07:45 PM
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[QUOTE=kona]You can always rebuild them alot cheaper than new . Kona


yep rebuild them for free
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Old Dec 21, 2005 | 08:12 PM
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I have a 81 and I am using one relay. The passenger side used to come up slow but replacing the seals on the accuator helped that..How do you rebuild the relays?
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Old Dec 21, 2005 | 09:07 PM
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check out this thread
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...292&forum_id=3
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Old Dec 22, 2005 | 07:25 AM
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Cool thread. I was just thinking about trying this the other day. In fact, I'll pick up a vacuum-T tomorrow morning.

My ZZ4 doesn't make a ton of vacuum, and after a lot of testing of the actuators, relays, check valve, and replacing the seals and bushings, I found they came up a lot faster after bypassing the reserve tank ! But, they still do not come up at the same time, so I'm going to try going to one relay. Meanwhile, on the stock L48 in the '75 my dad has, they fly open like they're electric. Go figure !
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Old Dec 22, 2005 | 08:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Jimmy Shepherd
Is there any reason to have 2 headlight relays? Why couldn't I just use 1 and tee off the red and grean hoses after they come out of the relay. I guess one might be a little slower than the other. Anybody ever tried this? The darn things are quite expensive!
My '69 only has one and it works just fine.
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Old Dec 22, 2005 | 08:52 AM
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Originally Posted by MartyW
I have a 76 and the headlights come up one at a time and always have. Not sure if this means I only have one relay but it would seem that way.
Yup...76 here comes up one at a time, pass side second..asked this question a couple weeks ago, response is that it's normal (they thought?)...so I just live with it for now...but maybe if I rebuild ?XXX? they will both come up together??..don't know if there's one or two relays on mine...
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Old Dec 22, 2005 | 02:31 PM
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My 79 came with two relays and my lights never came up at the same time. I redid mine to one relay and thay work the same as before.
I beleave the delay has more to do with the Headlamp Housing Actuator Link Spring being old and allso the Housing Pivot Bearing needing grease or replacement.
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Old Dec 22, 2005 | 03:10 PM
  #16  
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Default It Works

Originally Posted by Jimmy Shepherd
Is there any reason to have 2 headlight relays? Why couldn't I just use 1 and tee off the red and grean hoses after they come out of the relay. I guess one might be a little slower than the other. Anybody ever tried this? The darn things are quite expensive!

I tried it today and everything works fine. Both lights even come up at the same time!
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