Head lite issue
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Head lite issue
I know you all have heard and spoken on the headlites issues at least one million times, but, please give me an idea of where to start. I can open the headlites by hand, and they work electricly, meaning when I pull the switch the bulbs light up. But as soon as I start the car the headlites close. The lights are still on, but closed. They will not open when I pull the headlite switch. Are there springs that I could be missing that act against the vacuum? Or has anyone else had this same problem and know which of the vacuum pots or units to check? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Chuck
Thanks,
Chuck
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
there is a small hose that comes to plastic spliter, each going to one of the headlites. I was unable to eaily pull the hose of the connector so I used a pair of plyers and pinched off the hose. No results.
Chuck
Chuck
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Those ports are like the up - down switch
Have you tried the pulldown under the dash?It under the column.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I have to run to the store.Here is a vac. diagram.It might help.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...uting_pg_1.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...uting_pg_1.jpg
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
I know where the switch is supposed to be, but can't find it. I think I best let someone younger crawl under that dash. OUCH!! And it's raining here in Oregon! (nothing new). Thanks for the help though. Just thought there might have been a simple check to start with. I've got lots of pictures and such.
Thanks,
Chuck
Thanks,
Chuck
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Ocala FL
here's the troubleshooting guide.
http://www.corvette-101.com/vacuum.htm
and another article on how it all works
http://vetteworks.tripod.com/techdocuments/Vaccum.html
chances are that there are one or more vacuum lines crossed
http://www.corvette-101.com/vacuum.htm
and another article on how it all works
http://vetteworks.tripod.com/techdocuments/Vaccum.html
chances are that there are one or more vacuum lines crossed
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
TS
Thanks for the links, I have been to alot of them and they are helpfull. I just thought I could bypass the complete check down with someone elses experiance. The way they (headlites) close just didn't leave any question of the vacuum system working. I thought there might be a reverse action valve or something that someone else might have dealt with. This is a great board and I appreciate all the help.
Thanks,
Chuck
Thanks for the links, I have been to alot of them and they are helpfull. I just thought I could bypass the complete check down with someone elses experiance. The way they (headlites) close just didn't leave any question of the vacuum system working. I thought there might be a reverse action valve or something that someone else might have dealt with. This is a great board and I appreciate all the help.
Thanks,
Chuck
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
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
TS
Thanks for the links, I have been to alot of them and they are helpfull. I just thought I could bypass the complete check down with someone elses experiance. The way they (headlites) close just didn't leave any question of the vacuum system working. I thought there might be a reverse action valve or something that someone else might have dealt with. This is a great board and I appreciate all the help.
Thanks,
Chuck
Thanks for the links, I have been to alot of them and they are helpfull. I just thought I could bypass the complete check down with someone elses experiance. The way they (headlites) close just didn't leave any question of the vacuum system working. I thought there might be a reverse action valve or something that someone else might have dealt with. This is a great board and I appreciate all the help.
Thanks,
Chuck
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
[QUOTE=Dryoo7;1560551655]I had to cut the hose leading to the "T" fitting. With the car running, the drivers side lite opened fully, the pass. side opened half way.
Chuck[/QUOTE
OK now were getting somewhere.For some reason your headlight switch is not breaking the vacumm to the relay or the hose is pinched some where between the switch and the front of the car.Follow that little hose back towards the dash and see if it is not pinched.Then see if you can find the pulldown switch,its visable while sitting in the seat.Its just below the column at the edge of the lower dash.Pull it down with the engine running and seeif it will open the lights.
Chuck[/QUOTE
OK now were getting somewhere.For some reason your headlight switch is not breaking the vacumm to the relay or the hose is pinched some where between the switch and the front of the car.Follow that little hose back towards the dash and see if it is not pinched.Then see if you can find the pulldown switch,its visable while sitting in the seat.Its just below the column at the edge of the lower dash.Pull it down with the engine running and seeif it will open the lights.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Was able to flind manual switch. Drivers side opened wide while pass. side opened half way, and then slowly closed. I opened it by hand, and it stayed open until I closed the manual switch, then both promply closed tight.
Chuck
Chuck
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
On the pass side light coming up slow I would say the witchs hat seal is bad in the actuator.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
The second issue is the slow pass. side headlight and on that one I believe you have a vacumm leak-There is a seal in the front of the actuator sorta looks like a witches hat.I believe it is bad.Sometimes it can be a leak in the opposite actuator but not usually.So to be sure find the hose that goes to the front side of the actuator and see if it holds vacumm -should be the green striped hose.To be on the safe side do both right and left actuators for a comparison.You should find that the pass. side actuator will not hold vacumm.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
DWncchs:
You have been a great help to me and others I see as I brouse the boards, and I thank you for it. Wasn't sure if I should replace the Relay Valve AND the actuator together. Thanks for all the help.
Chuck
You have been a great help to me and others I see as I brouse the boards, and I thank you for it. Wasn't sure if I should replace the Relay Valve AND the actuator together. Thanks for all the help.
Chuck
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
If you find your actuator is leaking you should be able to replace the seal in this link for only 10 bucks.As far as the relay if it holds vacumm I would leave it.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...3&dept_id=1476
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
OK! How do you get to the accuator front four bolts to replace the faulty one. Do I have to work from under the car? Lifting the hood does not give me access to that side of the accuator plate. Any ideas? I do know someone with a lift if I need it. Cannot put the car on a set of ramps as the front of the car is to low for the front tires to reach the ramps.
Chuck
Chuck
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I go through the front grill with a 20" long 3/8 extension with tape wrapped around so as not to nick the grill.The support rods will give you a little bit of trouble coming out and going in trying to get the studs to go through so be patient.With the hood down you get the actuator out and lay it at the bottom of the radiator.Then open the hood and have someone hold it and bring the actuator out through the opening.Be careful not to scratch the hood.