Well everytime I fix a part of my headlights, a new problem pops up. Right now i have new actuator seals, and repaired actuators(I have photos I will post soon). I got them back in and the lights still didn't work...however both of them came up about an inch!!!!!!!!!!!! That is SUPER, because two weeks ago they wouldn't even budge..So this means I am making progress!!!! Im pretty happy. ANYWAY, they still didn't come all the way up, and I think it is because my relays are leaking. The hissing noise has found its way to the relays. When I disconnect one relay, and only opporate one, that side lights work great, but when I try using both relays, I guess the leak is so great that the lights cannot come all the way up.

So my questions are:

1) Can I use one relay for both actuators? this would mean having my reserve only going to one relay, as well as the small line. Then the top and bottom "out" lines to the actuator would be t-ed off to each actuator. Will I have slow headlights, or will they still be doing the 1-inch thing?? I have also bypassed my reserve because I think its leaking bad too. I know this would be a really bubba'd system, but right now I cannot fork out the $80 a peice for the relays. Which brings me to my second question:

2) Can I repair my relay seals. I read at that Vacuum System Troubleshooting site that you can repair them with ruber referbisher, but every place I call for this say "they make that stuff??". Or "I have never heard of that"....What gives? Am I asking for the wrong stuff?

Right now I am extreemly happy my headlighs MOVE, but I am bummed they don't work perfectly(I didn't expect them too anyway). The minute they come up on there own when I pull the switch, I will cry tears of joy :lol:

Daniel

 

Daniel,

You can purchase the rubber refurbisher at electronics stores. Or you can use brake fluid in it's place. I've been told it works. Did you test the relays to see if they hold a vacuum? What condition are your hoses in? I've heard you can use one relay, but haven't tried it myself.

 

ya the relays are holding 0 vacuum. I THINK the problem lies in the seals. If not I will be forced to replace them I guess. i COULD buy new ones, but that $$$ was supposed to be going toward my interior resto....that may have to be put off another week or two.

Brake Fluid? I have a million gallons of that stuff(bad brake experiances)...I will try that. My hoses are in good condition, except as I go along I find little things here and there, like a hole on the hose at the plug. Nothing a pair of sisors can't fix. All my hoses hold vacuum now, as do my switches and my actuators. my resivoir appears to hold vacuum, but I won't know until my actuators are fixed. I KNOW they don't haold a vacuum. I will try brake fluid tonight.

If All else fails, I will try using just one relay, but I don't want to do that because of its bubba factor...

Daniel

 

You can definately fix your relays. I took mine apart, softened up the seals with brake fluid, put them back together, and they work great. They have been working now for several months.
http://www.members.home.net/awsvette/relays.htm shows pretty much how I did mine, except to hold the ring together I used a hose clamp rather than solder.

Good luck.

 

Another approach to the problem involves cutting a slot in the piston at both ends and installing an o-ring. This method assures success because it makes up for the wear in the plastic housing as well as the hardened "rubber" piston. If done properly, this method pretty much assures that you will not have to take the relay apart again. Also, regardless of which method you use, don't forget to install a new air filter in the relay. Dirt contamination is what kills these relays in the first place. Finally, do not use a petroleum based lubricant on the piston. This will cause your problem to re-occur. I have used the o-ring method and it does work.

 

YES, you can use one relay for both lights. I am using that right now. Works for me.

 

Take a look at this post and Ingar's tech article. I think he's on to something.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=147972

 

my headlights work! I did a backflip when they moved for the first time on there own(that i have seen)...Its been YEARS since they have worked...I feel like a million bucks! But the only problem now is the passangers side headlight opens and closes after the drivers side lights...they do not open/close together.... Is there a way I can fix this?

Daniel

 

Are you using one relay?

 

yes, I had to buy two assortment o-ring kits to fix one relay...granted $3 is cheaper then $80 for a new one, but the store only had 2 on the shelf. Maybe I will repair my second relay for backup. I believe my passengerside headlight is coming up second because the hose has a little kink in it...would this do it? Because the passangers side lines don't reach the relay unless I really pull on them...they are almost tight enough to play a note(like a guitar)...I got some new line today and will be putting it in tomarrow(on both sides)... Iwill cut them equal length, just in case that matters. Hopefully that will do it! Then all I have to do is adjust the screws that adjust how far they open and close, and they will be done, and my headlights will be like new, after 6-8 years of being "open" only. Im sooooo happy, I feel like I could rebuild my motor in a day now... :crazy: ...well maybe not.

Next step is the body shop(I decided to have the work done professionally, I am getting a really good deal, and the work is garonteed...plus I don't have the time to do it myself unless my car is out for 6 months...). After that, the interior, then I start to add more power!

I feel like a million bucks...I can take on the world now...lol

Daniel

 

My headlights never came up at the same time, with the leaking acuators (fixed that), the leaking relay(hooked both to the good one). Driverside always up first. Two good relays may cure that, BUT I WOULDN'T BET ON IT. IMO which ever side has the absolute best seal (not leaking anywhere) would be the first up.

 

the passangers side relay is brand new...the drivers side relay was in good condition buy leaking around the edge a little. Some weatherstrip sealant fixed that...I just inspected it, and it looks like the passangers side seal "blew out" of its seat on the actuator body. Im about to remove the actuator and re-set the seal, hopefully its not ripped. If this works they should come up at the same time...or closer to it anyway

Daniel