headlights not raising..repare or replace??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: honolulu HI
headlights not raising..repare or replace??
aloha..my left headlight has decided not to raise anymore :mad a corvette shop said they would replace for about $150 for a rebuilt one..how hard is this to repare myself? what do i need to get to rebuild? any help would be greatly apriecaited...this is a 1980L-82 that im restoring..has 52000 original miles :rolleyes: lottsa fun
the light does still come up after about 5 minute..u think thismeans the seals are bad? and if so any info an replacing would help
thanx for all the input i will self test over weekend :hat
[Modified by 1980 razz, 2:54 AM 9/29/2001]
[Modified by 1980 razz, 2:56 AM 9/29/2001]
the light does still come up after about 5 minute..u think thismeans the seals are bad? and if so any info an replacing would help
thanx for all the input i will self test over weekend :hat
[Modified by 1980 razz, 2:54 AM 9/29/2001]
[Modified by 1980 razz, 2:56 AM 9/29/2001]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 0
From: Highlands Ranch CO
Re: headlights not raising..repare or replace?? (1980 razz)
it could be as simple a fix as a bad vacum wire.
I have the same problem. Although I get lazy with other projects as priority, and just put the lights in the "up" position all the time.
I have the same problem. Although I get lazy with other projects as priority, and just put the lights in the "up" position all the time.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
From: ma
Re: headlights not raising..repare or replace?? (1980 razz)
Hi I just got done with mine. When you get down to it ,it"s really not that bad to do the trouble shooting yourself.Get your self a vacuum hand pump to test the different lines and relays.I found a vacuum help page but will send latter once I get home. :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: headlights not raising..repare or replace?? (1980 razz)
If the actuator itself were bad, $150 would not be too bad a price since the actuator goes for about $100. But, as others have already said, if it's simply a loose or bad vacuum hose or T connector, or even the actuator seal, it's pretty easy to do yourself.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,581
Likes: 14
From: Tolar Texas
Re: headlights not raising..repare or replace?? (1980 razz)
I recently used the repair kit shown below to repair one of my actuators. It is very easy to do. Of course, you need to properly diagnose your particular problem prior to spending any money but I have a hunch that the replaceable seal on your actuator has failed.
"68-82 Headlight actuator repair kit" ZIP-HDL-291-SCRetail price: $19.95
http://store.yahoo.com/corvetteresto...dl-291-sc.html
"68-82 Headlight actuator repair kit" ZIP-HDL-291-SCRetail price: $19.95
http://store.yahoo.com/corvetteresto...dl-291-sc.html
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,708
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Re: headlights not raising..repare or replace?? (MIKER)
actuator seal: $10....worse case is your actuator is rusted out or has a hole in it somehow...not to be bubba, but JB Weld will fix it. If you have a hole, it will take you about 12 hours(6-10 of them is letting the weld cure). Replacing the actuator seal is easy. The hardest part of the whole process is getting the actuators out. That'll take 30 minutes if that. Then geting them back in will take about 20 minutes(because you now know how they go 
). http://www.members.home.net/awsvette/vacuum.htm#top
You should check that website out before you do anything.
$150 is high in my opinion. I didn't even spend $50 in parts(including my vacuum pump). And my lights didn't go up or down for 6 years. Your parts list shouldn't be as high, because you said it does work, it just takes a while.
Daniel
). http://www.members.home.net/awsvette/vacuum.htm#top You should check that website out before you do anything.
$150 is high in my opinion. I didn't even spend $50 in parts(including my vacuum pump). And my lights didn't go up or down for 6 years. Your parts list shouldn't be as high, because you said it does work, it just takes a while.
Daniel
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
From: ma
Re: headlights not raising..repare or replace?? (1980 razz)
One more thing to add.Many times with cars of this age 20-30 years old,it"s not one big leak but lots of small leaks that add up.... to the point that the system fails to work. Just check each item one at a time before you start replacing parts,take your time and be mythodical in testing the{hoses ,relays diaframs,vacuum tank, manual override switck ,headlight switch, check valve and don"t forget the filter} :cheers:
