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Headlight Troubleshooting

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Old Aug 12, 2008 | 09:17 PM
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Default Headlight Troubleshooting

HI,

having a little headlight problem on a 74. The lights close perfectly but when trying to open them, they attempt to open.. but only get about an inch before slowly settling back down. any thoughts on this?

I know there have been a lot of headlight questions before so does anyone have a link to a previous post that has a troubleshooting guide or something? I gave a quick search but couldnt find anything
THANKS
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Old Aug 12, 2008 | 10:41 PM
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Probably have one or both seals in the actuators leaking.Try pinching with pliers the green hose going to the drivers side actuator and see if that helps the pass side to come up....then pinch the pass. side green hose and see if the drivers side will come up.
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 05:52 AM
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Default headlights

Doc rebuild has a great troubleshooting guide about $.00 and shipping pf course help me tremedously
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 06:03 AM
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If it's the same setup as my '77, it's probably the actuators leaking or the relays, located between the actuators. I think 99 percent of the time this is where the trouble is with these lights.
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 11:47 AM
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thanks for the replys

my vacuum pump is broken right no still waiting for a part to put it back together so i cant check the actuators yet. But it seems wierd that both actuators and both relays would get the same slow leak at the same time..

could a bad check valve cause this? i can put a vaccum on the end w/ 1 nipple and ittl hold but i can also blow through it and it has a faint whistling.. is it supposed to do that or could that be my issue of not opening but closes great.

THANKS
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 12:08 PM
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No check valve wont cause what yours is doing.The check valve is more for reserve vacuum after you turn the engine off.Both acuators dont have to be bad just one with a major leak after all both sides are connected and they will effect each other.
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 03:50 PM
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Double check your vacuum hoses, too. Make sure they have a tight fit. If the hose is britle from old age then there might be a slight leak where they slide on to the actuators/relays. If you have plenty of hose to slide up, simply cut off some of the end and slide the newer portion on the actuators/relays.
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 07:40 PM
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Originally Posted by BIGJIM13
HI,

having a little headlight problem on a 74. The lights close perfectly but when trying to open them, they attempt to open.. but only get about an inch before slowly settling back down. any thoughts on this?

I know there have been a lot of headlight questions before so does anyone have a link to a previous post that has a troubleshooting guide or something? I gave a quick search but couldnt find anything
THANKS
Just had the same problem ,i rebuilt the actuators very easy and not expensive.No problems now.
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