Head Lamp Relay Valve
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 221
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Head Lamp Relay Valve
Does anyone have a recommendation on where to buy a good head lamp relay valve? I purchase one from corvette central about a year ago and rarely drive at night. When vacuum is applied to the yellow port and the green port is blocked it will not maintain vacuum pressure it leaks out of the bottom/filter. Too much money for the amount of times it has been used. Any recommendation would be appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,248
Likes: 7,840
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I think most of the vendors get there stuff from the same sources. I would try corvette America if you cant find a good used gen. Chevrolet one
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 473
Likes: 6
From: New Port Richey FL
I just bought a pair from Tyler's Corvette Parts from ebay. He probably gets his from the same place everyone else gets theirs. Have only had them in since yesterday,... and so far they work great! I hope I get more than a year out of them, as you said, they are not cheap.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,503
Likes: 2
From: Raleigh NC
I have been using 3-way solenoid air valves for over four years--they work perfect.
Why use cheap plastic when you can have stainless steel?!
All I did to install them was to buy the right size hose nipples at Home Depot (easy.)
Hook up the ground wire and attach the hot wires to the high/low beam wire with a relay:
This makes the operation automatic--the headlights come on and the 3-way valve energizes.
You can find 3-way 12vdc air valves on ebay all the time. $15-20.
You need two of them.
http://cgi.ebay.com/asco-joucomatic-...QQcmdZViewItem
Why use cheap plastic when you can have stainless steel?!
All I did to install them was to buy the right size hose nipples at Home Depot (easy.)
Hook up the ground wire and attach the hot wires to the high/low beam wire with a relay:
This makes the operation automatic--the headlights come on and the 3-way valve energizes.
You can find 3-way 12vdc air valves on ebay all the time. $15-20.
You need two of them.
http://cgi.ebay.com/asco-joucomatic-...QQcmdZViewItem
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,503
Likes: 2
From: Raleigh NC
Another way to go about this is to install two air horn pumps.
This allows you to:
1. Completely divorce the headlight system from engine vacuum (no vacuum leak problems)
2. Raise and lower headlights with the engine off.
These pumps are cheap:
And available here:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...p?Ntt=air+horn
Hook them up with a 3-way switch. Vacuum relays are not needed either:
These pumps are kinda noisy--that's the only drawback to this.
I put in a hybrid system: I use the 3-way soleniod valves with engine vacuum for normal operation. But I also have one air pump (with switch) that I use to raise headlights when the engine is off.
This allows you to:
1. Completely divorce the headlight system from engine vacuum (no vacuum leak problems)
2. Raise and lower headlights with the engine off.
These pumps are cheap:
And available here:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...p?Ntt=air+horn
Hook them up with a 3-way switch. Vacuum relays are not needed either:
These pumps are kinda noisy--that's the only drawback to this.
I put in a hybrid system: I use the 3-way soleniod valves with engine vacuum for normal operation. But I also have one air pump (with switch) that I use to raise headlights when the engine is off.
Last edited by PhotoVette1; Jan 15, 2007 at 08:37 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 221
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
I have been using 3-way solenoid air valves for over four years--they work perfect.
Why use cheap plastic when you can have stainless steel?!
All I did to install them was to buy the right size hose nipples at Home Depot (easy.)
Hook up the ground wire and attach the hot wires to the high/low beam wire with a relay:
This makes the operation automatic--the headlights come on and the 3-way valve energizes.
You can find 3-way 12vdc air valves on ebay all the time. $15-20.
You need two of them.
http://cgi.ebay.com/asco-joucomatic-...QQcmdZViewItem
Why use cheap plastic when you can have stainless steel?!
All I did to install them was to buy the right size hose nipples at Home Depot (easy.)
Hook up the ground wire and attach the hot wires to the high/low beam wire with a relay:
This makes the operation automatic--the headlights come on and the 3-way valve energizes.
You can find 3-way 12vdc air valves on ebay all the time. $15-20.
You need two of them.
http://cgi.ebay.com/asco-joucomatic-...QQcmdZViewItem
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,503
Likes: 2
From: Raleigh NC
You need two 3-way valves due to the fact that the original vacuum relay valves were 4-way valves--a 3-way valve would have no way to vent the non-operating side--4-way valves are much less common and much more expensive (somebody correct me if they find a cheap source of 12vdc 4-way valves.)
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
I would try Dr Rebuild or Paragon for the valve. I believe GM disco'd it about 4 years ago. Wish I had bought a few spares. Same valve is also used for GTO and Camaro with hideaway headlights.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 119
From: St. Charles Mo
CI 5 & 8 Veteran
Does anyone have a recommendation on where to buy a good head lamp relay valve? I purchase one from corvette central about a year ago and rarely drive at night. When vacuum is applied to the yellow port and the green port is blocked it will not maintain vacuum pressure it leaks out of the bottom/filter. Too much money for the amount of times it has been used. Any recommendation would be appreciated.
I think there is a web site that discribes this whole proceedure with pictures but right now I don't remember the address.
Bullshark
By the way, I really like Photvettes ideas, they would be much more reliable.
Last edited by Bullshark; Jan 15, 2007 at 12:29 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,503
Likes: 2
From: Raleigh NC
Yes, much more reliable. The stock vacuum actuator relay valves are the weak point in an otherwise robust system.
The 3-way valves I bought are the kind that are used inside McDonalds hamburger grills. If they can survive ten years in that envinoment, they ought to last forever in a C3.
The 3-way valves I bought are the kind that are used inside McDonalds hamburger grills. If they can survive ten years in that envinoment, they ought to last forever in a C3.
Last edited by PhotoVette1; Jan 15, 2007 at 12:26 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 221
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
The relay is just a standard Bosch automotive relay.
You need two 3-way valves due to the fact that the original vacuum relay valves were 4-way valves--a 3-way valve would have no way to vent the non-operating side--4-way valves are much less common and much more expensive (somebody correct me if they find a cheap source of 12vdc 4-way valves.)
You need two 3-way valves due to the fact that the original vacuum relay valves were 4-way valves--a 3-way valve would have no way to vent the non-operating side--4-way valves are much less common and much more expensive (somebody correct me if they find a cheap source of 12vdc 4-way valves.)
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Thanks Bullshark, using the procedure you described I was able to repair my relay valve. I used a counterbore to remove the staked portion of the rod and did the o ring install. It's a good thing it worked as my new valve is on backorder with no delivery date. I wish I looked here before I placed my uncancelable order .
Warren
Warren
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 221
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Jesse, this is the common failure mode for these vacuum relay valves. There is a dog bone like piece with lip seals at each end that act as the switch channeling vacuum to either of the output ports. These lip seals collapse over time letting the input vacuum blow by as you discribe. I have had success filing off the crimped end of the actuator rod and removing the dog bone piece. I then slipped a correctly sized O-ring into the dog bone piece at each end in such a way as to expand the lip seal. You can then re-install the piece backed with small thin washers to capture the o-rings and keep them from sliding back out. Re-crimp the rod end and you are good to go. I added a small dab of JB weld on the rod end just as a precaution.
I think there is a web site that discribes this whole proceedure with pictures but right now I don't remember the address.
Bullshark
By the way, I really like Photvettes ideas, they would be much more reliable.
I think there is a web site that discribes this whole proceedure with pictures but right now I don't remember the address.
Bullshark
By the way, I really like Photvettes ideas, they would be much more reliable.
I am still going to convert the system like Photo Vette 1 suggested.
My shed is getting pretty full with all the old original or original like, good condition parts that I have upgraded.
I guess I will add a couple more.
Thanks Bullshark, Photo Vette 1 and everyone else that provided input for all your help.
I will let you know how it turns out.
Last edited by Jc3vette; Jan 16, 2007 at 07:58 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
The aftermarket pieces are junk..>50% failure rate. The G.M. units are still available, though expensive. You can run both headlamps off of one, G.M. did it that way for a few years. The original units lasted a long time, I think the G.M. replacement units will as well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
PHOTOVETTE1 - I'm going to replace my headlight relay valves. I'd like to go electric, and your idea to use 3-way solenoid air valves is great. Could you post a schematic showing vacuum hose routing from vacuum reservoir to headlight actuators? It will certainly helpmany of us in the future. THANKS!
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Arkansas
PHOTOVETTE1 - I'm going to replace my headlight relay valves. I'd like to go electric, and your idea to use 3-way solenoid air valves is great. Could you post a schematic showing vacuum hose routing from vacuum reservoir to headlight actuators? It will certainly helpmany of us in the future. THANKS!
Thanks, Daniel
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 751
Likes: 32
From: Woburn,ma ma
Can you post a pic of how you have them installed??????
I have been using 3-way solenoid air valves for over four years--they work perfect.
Why use cheap plastic when you can have stainless steel?!
All I did to install them was to buy the right size hose nipples at Home Depot (easy.)
Hook up the ground wire and attach the hot wires to the high/low beam wire with a relay:
This makes the operation automatic--the headlights come on and the 3-way valve energizes.
You can find 3-way 12vdc air valves on ebay all the time. $15-20.
You need two of them.
http://cgi.ebay.com/asco-joucomatic-...QQcmdZViewItem
Why use cheap plastic when you can have stainless steel?!
All I did to install them was to buy the right size hose nipples at Home Depot (easy.)
Hook up the ground wire and attach the hot wires to the high/low beam wire with a relay:
This makes the operation automatic--the headlights come on and the 3-way valve energizes.
You can find 3-way 12vdc air valves on ebay all the time. $15-20.
You need two of them.
http://cgi.ebay.com/asco-joucomatic-...QQcmdZViewItem
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 725
Likes: 1
From: FL.
Yep...I have a similar story...My Headlamps wouldnt close , after a couple days troubleshooting I ordered the relay from eklers, put it in and they still wouldnt close, so after a few hrs of testing the new relay I found it was defective, evidently they go bad on the shelf. Anyhow They sent me another one and it worked.
Its a painful experience troubleshooting these C3 vacuum systems and eklers didnt help matters, by not doing a simple test to see what theyre selling works!
The alternative relays posted above look alot better than the pot metal and plastic, $70 jobs from Eklers.
Its a painful experience troubleshooting these C3 vacuum systems and eklers didnt help matters, by not doing a simple test to see what theyre selling works!The alternative relays posted above look alot better than the pot metal and plastic, $70 jobs from Eklers.