Any headlight experts out there?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,166
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas NV
Any headlight experts out there?
Inconsistant problem with pop up lights. Currently stay up and won't go down unless I unplug a line from vacuum tank and then put down by hand. They pop up when car is started and headlight switch is off.
I am thinking headlight switch.
Any help / ideas would be appreciated. :confused: :confused:
I am thinking headlight switch.
Any help / ideas would be appreciated. :confused: :confused:
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Re: Any headlight experts out there? (DaBo)
Tough to diagnose. Could be any of a number of problems including relays, vacuum leaks, cracked vacuum hoses, headlight switch, etc. There is a book available called "Troubleshooting The Vacuum System" or something like that. Check the Corvette catalogs. Most vendors sell them. Hope this helps. Chuck
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Re: Any headlight experts out there? (DaBo)
Pray that it's not the headlight switch because it is really a pain to replace. I agree with Mike, it sounds like a relay valve problem. Does this happen on both headlights or just one?
If it's happening on just one, connect the hoses for the broken headlight to the relay valve on the functioning side and give it a shot.
I will try to watch this thread and see if I can help.
Cheers :cheers:
Stephen
If it's happening on just one, connect the hoses for the broken headlight to the relay valve on the functioning side and give it a shot.
I will try to watch this thread and see if I can help.
Cheers :cheers:
Stephen
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,166
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas NV
Re: Any headlight experts out there? (VolVette)
Thanks to all members who have responded. The help from fellow owners is invaluable. I was hoping to find some one else that had experienced a similiar problem. I will explain a liitle more in depth to my situation.
Problem is with both door not just one. Problem started to be that the doors would not open when you turned on the lights........ If you pulled the bypass switch, under steering column they would open. When shutting off the lights, you would first have to push in the regular light switch, then push the bypass switch back to the up position. Light would go off and doors would close. I did not take the time to work on it, not out at night that much except for some local cruises.
After a week or two, the problem changed.
Progressed to the current problem. Start the car and doors will open. Light switch or bypass switch has no effect. In order to get doors to close I must disconnect one of the vacuum lines from the long vacuum tank, then reach up under to unlock the pivot point. Doors will then fall down.
I have inspected the system for cracks or anything disconnected. It does not happen on just one light so I do not think that is is the relays or actuators.
I have the Troubleshooting guide from M.A.D. but still no answers.
Thank you once again for your help.
Problem is with both door not just one. Problem started to be that the doors would not open when you turned on the lights........ If you pulled the bypass switch, under steering column they would open. When shutting off the lights, you would first have to push in the regular light switch, then push the bypass switch back to the up position. Light would go off and doors would close. I did not take the time to work on it, not out at night that much except for some local cruises.
After a week or two, the problem changed.
Progressed to the current problem. Start the car and doors will open. Light switch or bypass switch has no effect. In order to get doors to close I must disconnect one of the vacuum lines from the long vacuum tank, then reach up under to unlock the pivot point. Doors will then fall down.
I have inspected the system for cracks or anything disconnected. It does not happen on just one light so I do not think that is is the relays or actuators.
I have the Troubleshooting guide from M.A.D. but still no answers.
Thank you once again for your help.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 1
From: Cave Creek AZ
Re: Any headlight experts out there? (DaBo)
I was going to say that it sounds like 2 vacuun lines are reversed someplace. The most likely place I was thinking is at the over ride. It does not sound like a headlight switch to me at all. I still think that the vacuum lines are crossed up someplace. Try this web site, it gets pretty deep. http://members.home.net/awsvette/vacuum.htm#top
good luck
JoeB
good luck
JoeB
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 924
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Re: Any headlight experts out there? (woodworkr)
Sounds like your Vacuum Check Valve has gone south. The description of your problem (head lights go up) is the same as mine. I tested my Check Valve with a vacuum pump and sure enough it was bad. I have not replaced it yet, but I'm certain that is what my problem is. Use the link in one of the post above, and it will explain more about this valve. Go borrow a vacuum pump from the local parts store and check it. I think the valve is about $15 from ZIPs. Get the filter while your at it.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,166
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas NV
Re: Any headlight experts out there? (81vette)
Thanks again fro the quick response :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
I'll try the valve and filter, I like trying the least expensive first.
Everything has worked perfect for the first three years of owning the car,
so can't imagine anything being switched. I will double check it though.
Looked at the "vacuum" site that has been recommended and it looks very detailed and complete.
Once again Forum users come through for those in need.
CORVETTE FORUM #1 :flag :flag :flag :flag :flag
NO :bs
Thank you all.
I'll try the valve and filter, I like trying the least expensive first.
Everything has worked perfect for the first three years of owning the car,
so can't imagine anything being switched. I will double check it though.
Looked at the "vacuum" site that has been recommended and it looks very detailed and complete.
Once again Forum users come through for those in need.
CORVETTE FORUM #1 :flag :flag :flag :flag :flag
NO :bs
Thank you all.