Headlight and wiper tray actuators - testing and maintenance
01-30-2010, 02:52 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Headlight and wiper tray actuators - testing and maintenance
Hi,
I currently have my headlight and wiper door actuators, and the related control valves out of my car.
What are the proper procedures to test the actuators and control valves with a vacuum pump. I would like to make sure the parts are in good operating condition before reattaching them.
Also, provided that they all work properly, is there any preventive maintenance (lubing etc) one should / could do to prolong their usable lives?
Thanks in advance!
pete
I currently have my headlight and wiper door actuators, and the related control valves out of my car.
What are the proper procedures to test the actuators and control valves with a vacuum pump. I would like to make sure the parts are in good operating condition before reattaching them.
Also, provided that they all work properly, is there any preventive maintenance (lubing etc) one should / could do to prolong their usable lives?
Thanks in advance!
pete
Last edited by VettePekka; 01-30-2010 at 03:05 PM.
01-30-2010, 03:29 PM
#2
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Hi Pete,
The headlight door and wiper door actuators are pretty easy to test. Your vacuum gauge and pump should hold vacuum on each nipple on the actuator. Check the green hose side first and then the red hose side. If the vacuum drops on the green side but not on the red side, the rear sealing grommet is leaking and needs to be replaced.
There are many tricky problems with both systems beyond the actuators; having a trouble shooting/testing guide like the one from Dr. Rebuild really helps and is worth the few $$. There are also free guides available on the web. Willcox has some good ones.
Regards,
Alan
The headlight door and wiper door actuators are pretty easy to test. Your vacuum gauge and pump should hold vacuum on each nipple on the actuator. Check the green hose side first and then the red hose side. If the vacuum drops on the green side but not on the red side, the rear sealing grommet is leaking and needs to be replaced.
There are many tricky problems with both systems beyond the actuators; having a trouble shooting/testing guide like the one from Dr. Rebuild really helps and is worth the few $$. There are also free guides available on the web. Willcox has some good ones.
Regards,
Alan
01-30-2010, 08:50 PM
#3
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Hi Pete,
The headlight door and wiper door actuators are pretty easy to test. Your vacuum gauge and pump should hold vacuum on each nipple on the actuator. Check the green hose side first and then the red hose side. If the vacuum drops on the green side but not on the red side, the rear sealing grommet is leaking and needs to be replaced.
There are many tricky problems with both systems beyond the actuators; having a trouble shooting/testing guide like the one from Dr. Rebuild really helps and is worth the few $$. There are also free guides available on the web. Willcox has some good ones.
Regards,
Alan
The headlight door and wiper door actuators are pretty easy to test. Your vacuum gauge and pump should hold vacuum on each nipple on the actuator. Check the green hose side first and then the red hose side. If the vacuum drops on the green side but not on the red side, the rear sealing grommet is leaking and needs to be replaced.
There are many tricky problems with both systems beyond the actuators; having a trouble shooting/testing guide like the one from Dr. Rebuild really helps and is worth the few $$. There are also free guides available on the web. Willcox has some good ones.
Regards,
Alan
Dr. Rebuild ,and also ,who or what is Wilcox. I have trouble with the vaccum on my 1974 Vette that operates the head lights and the heat and vent controls and I dont have any idea where to start. I have looked at the usual repair manuels which have no description of any parts or where to start testing. I also have trouble geting the blower fan to work , if you can help me with this problem I would appericate it a lot thanks
Carl
01-30-2010, 10:09 PM
#4
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As you're working on your windshield wiper mechanism, if you get to the juncture where you might want to remove the door from the mechanisms, ...don't. The bolts that attach the door to the mechanism, are very thin in diameter. The door is a aluminum/pot metal alloy. After years, the bolts will be corrosion welded. If you try to remove them, they very likely will shear. At this juncture, repairing the door is expensive. J & D Corvette probably has 50 or 60 windshield wiper doors. I had to look at almost all of them before I found a door that had all 4 attach holes perfect...i.e no broken off bolt shank in them.
01-31-2010, 02:27 AM
#5
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C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Alan , would you please let me know where to purchase the book from
Dr. Rebuild ,and also ,who or what is Wilcox. I have trouble with the vaccum on my 1974 Vette that operates the head lights and the heat and vent controls and I dont have any idea where to start. I have looked at the usual repair manuels which have no description of any parts or where to start testing. I also have trouble geting the blower fan to work , if you can help me with this problem I would appericate it a lot thanks
Carl
Dr. Rebuild ,and also ,who or what is Wilcox. I have trouble with the vaccum on my 1974 Vette that operates the head lights and the heat and vent controls and I dont have any idea where to start. I have looked at the usual repair manuels which have no description of any parts or where to start testing. I also have trouble geting the blower fan to work , if you can help me with this problem I would appericate it a lot thanks
Carl
Co
rrected diagram Still got more questions, just post back.
01-31-2010, 09:00 AM
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Hi Carl,
Willcox (Ernie) is a supporting vendor on this site and has very good prices; but in my opinion he is more highly respected for his willingness to answer questions posters may have; not just pipe up when he has a part or service to sell and then disappear.
Doc Rebuild is a vendor in Bridgeport Conn. He really knows Corvettes, and has MANY small parts that NO ONE else has. His catalogue is different than other vendors and a work of art. He has very good electrical schematics, vacuum system posters, and the vacuum system guide I mentioned. If you happen to get him on the phone you may feel a bit beat-up when you're finished, but... he has the parts restorers need.
Regards,
Alan
Willcox (Ernie) is a supporting vendor on this site and has very good prices; but in my opinion he is more highly respected for his willingness to answer questions posters may have; not just pipe up when he has a part or service to sell and then disappear.
Doc Rebuild is a vendor in Bridgeport Conn. He really knows Corvettes, and has MANY small parts that NO ONE else has. His catalogue is different than other vendors and a work of art. He has very good electrical schematics, vacuum system posters, and the vacuum system guide I mentioned. If you happen to get him on the phone you may feel a bit beat-up when you're finished, but... he has the parts restorers need.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; 01-31-2010 at 09:06 AM.
