I think i already know what i have to do replace the actuator. But the problem is the headlights will go up fine and the LH will go down but the right side will stay up untill i remove the bottom vaccum line and plug it for a few seconds and realse. Then the light will retract. This is telling me that there is probly a tear inside the actuator. Is there a way to replace just the diaphram or do i have to replace the whole actuator again and its only 2 years old and ive driven only 3000 miles which pisses me off if its broken.
thanks
rj

 

Stole this from the web...http://www.corvette-101.com/vacuum.htm#actuatorHEAD LAMP ACTUATORS DESCRIPTION: Pie pan shaped with a single internal diaphragm attached to a threaded shaft that is visible externally. The threaded shaft is protected by a cone shaped boot. Each actuator has 2 vacuum ports. The front port is straight and identified by a green dot; the rear port is curved and identified by a red dot
LOCATION: Mounted to the rear of each headlamp housing with 4 flanged lock nuts.


FUNCTION: The headlamp actuators open or close the headlamp doors. More specifically, the green hose opens the headlamp doors and red closes them.
TROUBLESHOOTING: Perform the following two steps in order.

1. With headlamps in the closed position, disconnect the large red hose and attach the vacuum pump. If the vacuum pressure holds, the internal diaphragm is good. If the vacuum pressure drops, the internal diaphragm is leaking and the actuator must be replaced.

2. With the headlamps in the open and locked position (if the headlamps will not open normally, try opening them manually by pushing them up from the front underside of the vehicle), disconnect the large green hose and attach the vacuum pump. If vacuum pressure holds, the internal diaphragm and rear sealing grommet are both good. If the vacuum pressure drops, replace the grommet. NOTE: If you do not open the headlamps prior to this test, applying vacuum to the port should slowly open the headlamps until they are completely open. At this point this port should hold a vacuum.

 

I agree-- a vacuum pump with a built-in gauge makes testing this stuff a piece of cake. You'll immediately know where the problem is. Does your car have one or two headlight acutator relays? If only one, then it's probably more RH actuator. If two, then maybe your actuator relay isn't operating properly. You can do a quick test by disconnecting the top vacuum hose from the relay and plugging it. Now connect your vacuum pump to the relay instead. Start the car to supply the operating vacuum. You should be able to use your vacuum pump to make the headlight go up and down. If it works ok with the pump, then you know you are not getting enough vacuum to the relay to hold the headlight closed.

Remember-- the headlights will open unless you have vacuum at the relay to hold them closed. Good luck-- it's not too hard to troubleshoot.