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help with headlights

Old Dec 22, 2009 | 07:14 PM
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Default help with headlights

hello i have a 1980 c3 that i just bought.the head lights do not work properly and i was wondering if you guys could answer some questions for me.first of all:
are the headlights supposed to go up and down when you push and pull on the headlight switch?
and are the outer lights the brights or the inner lights?
and can someone tell me where to get a good vaccuum and wiring diagram for the headlights?
i know the left side vaccuum acutuator is out,it wont raiase the headlight bucket with out me helping it.and i know the headlight switch on the dash has no vaccuum lines going to it.(i think it supposed to).anyway,they are not illuminating now.high beams either.i need a wiring diagram and/or vaccuum diagram.thanks
Leeroy
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Old Dec 22, 2009 | 07:18 PM
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The headlights should go up when the switch is turned on w/engine running. Inner bulbs are hi beam, outers are hi/low. Wilcoxx has a good diagram.

http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...1221d8fa61b645

http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...60ee78cd4b2508

Last edited by '75; Dec 22, 2009 at 07:28 PM.
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Old Dec 22, 2009 | 07:28 PM
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Ok First question Yes, the lamps should raise when the switch is pulled out.
The brights are on the inside and the regular driving lamps are on the outside.
You should have some vac lines running to the headlamp switch, If you search the forum you might be able to find a diagram. I do not have one handy now or I would e-mail it to you.
Chk your fuse box and make sure the mounting screws that hold it to the wiring harness are tight. Thats where my problem with the light not turning on was.
Hope this helps out and maybe someone else will chime in with more info. Tim
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Old Dec 22, 2009 | 07:59 PM
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thanks the diagram helps out a whole lot.just need the elertrical part now.i know there are three wires
black:ground
brown:high beam
light green:low beam.
i can power up the low beam wire and the headlamps come on.
the headlight switch turns on everything else except the headleamps.they were working last week.is there a headlight electrical relay?
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Old Dec 23, 2009 | 09:03 AM
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Originally Posted by Leeroy280zxt
thanks the diagram helps out a whole lot.just need the elertrical part now.i know there are three wires
black:ground
brown:high beam
light green:low beam.
i can power up the low beam wire and the headlamps come on.
the headlight switch turns on everything else except the headleamps.they were working last week.is there a headlight electrical relay?
No relay.

There is a dimmer switch in the steering column.The yellow from the switch feeds the dimmer. Both the green and brown run out of it.

Sounds like you are not getting power on the yellow to the dimmer. Check this.

The other things work because they run off different wires from the switch.

Jim
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