I saw a thread on how to rebuilt headlight relays and gave it a shot since mine weren't giving me anything. When I tried it the lights went up but one doesn't go up as far. And on turn off they don't go down at all. What's wrong now?

 

Probably leaks in the vacuum actuator or pod. The vacuum seal and dust boot wher the shaft comes out of the actuator is more than likely torn due to age.

Listen with a hose to you ear with the engine running at teh bottom of the relay you have just repaired on the side that is not working and see if you can hear a leak where you saw the plunger through the square plastic end of the plastic housing where your hoses connect to. If you hear vacuum leak, re-do it. then listen at the area where the shaft comes out of the actuator.
"DUB"

 

Awesome thanks a lot.

 

Where was that rebuild post you saw? I just got my headlights to go up and down this weekend, but the low and high beams are not coming on (but side markers and brakes do). I think that rebuild would be something I might need to look into.

 

It was actually a suggestion on how to rebuild the relays themselves, but you do have new bulbs in right? You could try a search there's lots of info about headlight diagrams and everything you need to know on these forums.

 

Hi K,
It sounds like the vacuum part of your headlight switch is workig but not the electrical part. Do you have parking lights/tail lights working? If not it really sounds like the switch or a ground problem.
Regards,
Alan

PS: Remember the headlights and high-beams come on even if the headlight doors are closed.

 

You are a new Stingray owner and I admire that you are trying to learn as much as you can about a car that was built before you were born. Sorry that the relay repair did not fix all the headlight problems, here's a link to a good troubleshooting guide for headlight vacuum problems http://www.corvette-101.com/vacuum.htm the text is 100% correct and if you follow it you will pinpoint your problem without just changing every part. The diagram is wrong, if you go to 'my corvette photos' you will find a corrected diagram for your 74 or better yet go to the link that my favorite sponsor 'Willcox' just published and copy that diagram.
This is without the best Corvette forum! You have Willcox who goes above and beyond any other sponsor.
You have Roger who can diagnose the electrical problems.
You have GTR1999 & trackdog who will guide you thru trailing arm, bearing and rear end questions.
Grandmastercorvette, BarryK, John Hinkley, Jim Shea A1Sensei and lots of others that I have not named but say 'Thank You' to for there help!
And many others that I have not named to help you modify you engine, transmission and answer every question that may come up.
Enjoy this forum and learn as much as you can, 30 years from now a lot of us will be gone and someone like you will have to carry on. PG.