Lazy headlights? Here's a tip
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 406
Likes: 1
From: Maroochydore QLD
Lazy headlights? Here's a tip
Recently I replaced both vacuum relays and fitted new seals and boots to both actuators to fix headlights that wouldnt go up at all. Worked a treat.
However, about two months later, drivers side headlight is MUCH slower to rise than the other, so I borrowed vacuum guage and clamps, hoses and fittings and tested the entire vacuum system to find the source of the lazy motion, no fault found, all hoses and check valves working perfectly.
Then, for no reason at all, I decided to remove the filters from the bottom of the relays and sprayed some WD40 in to the sliding shaft of the units and voila, the headlights both go up quick and together, turns out it is a lazy or dragging plunger in the relays.
How cool is that? Give it a try if your vacuum appears good and your relays are in good condition but headlight(s) are lazy.
Cheers, Dennis.
However, about two months later, drivers side headlight is MUCH slower to rise than the other, so I borrowed vacuum guage and clamps, hoses and fittings and tested the entire vacuum system to find the source of the lazy motion, no fault found, all hoses and check valves working perfectly.
Then, for no reason at all, I decided to remove the filters from the bottom of the relays and sprayed some WD40 in to the sliding shaft of the units and voila, the headlights both go up quick and together, turns out it is a lazy or dragging plunger in the relays.
How cool is that? Give it a try if your vacuum appears good and your relays are in good condition but headlight(s) are lazy.
Cheers, Dennis.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 51
From: Wichita Kansas
Recently I replaced both vacuum relays and fitted new seals and boots to both actuators to fix headlights that wouldnt go up at all. Worked a treat.
However, about two months later, drivers side headlight is MUCH slower to rise than the other, so I borrowed vacuum guage and clamps, hoses and fittings and tested the entire vacuum system to find the source of the lazy motion, no fault found, all hoses and check valves working perfectly.
Then, for no reason at all, I decided to remove the filters from the bottom of the relays and sprayed some WD40 in to the sliding shaft of the units and voila, the headlights both go up quick and together, turns out it is a lazy or dragging plunger in the relays.
How cool is that? Give it a try if your vacuum appears good and your relays are in good condition but headlight(s) are lazy.
Cheers, Dennis.
However, about two months later, drivers side headlight is MUCH slower to rise than the other, so I borrowed vacuum guage and clamps, hoses and fittings and tested the entire vacuum system to find the source of the lazy motion, no fault found, all hoses and check valves working perfectly.
Then, for no reason at all, I decided to remove the filters from the bottom of the relays and sprayed some WD40 in to the sliding shaft of the units and voila, the headlights both go up quick and together, turns out it is a lazy or dragging plunger in the relays.
How cool is that? Give it a try if your vacuum appears good and your relays are in good condition but headlight(s) are lazy.
Cheers, Dennis.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 3
From: Clinton IL
Wd40
This stuff will fix anything!
I had a riding lawn mower that wouldn't get out of 5th gear. Frustrated me to no end, so I parked it by the street with a FREE sign on it.
My neighbor took it and put it in their yard.
Later that night I saw them driving it around (slow) clearly in a lower gear.
My OTHER neighbor had come over and saw it - showed them how to spray the shifter input with WD40...and problem solved. I had to see it once a week mowing their lawn while I was begging and borrowing mowers to get back in business.
I now keep a bottle on the shelf at all times!
I had a riding lawn mower that wouldn't get out of 5th gear. Frustrated me to no end, so I parked it by the street with a FREE sign on it.
My neighbor took it and put it in their yard.
Later that night I saw them driving it around (slow) clearly in a lower gear.
My OTHER neighbor had come over and saw it - showed them how to spray the shifter input with WD40...and problem solved. I had to see it once a week mowing their lawn while I was begging and borrowing mowers to get back in business.
I now keep a bottle on the shelf at all times!
Pro
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
From: Alberta
Originally Posted by OzzyTom
They say you can fix 60% of mechanical issues with duct tape and a can of WD40....
Sorry, I just couldn't resist.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 406
Likes: 1
From: Maroochydore QLD
This does work and I posted the WD40 trick and was flamed. I have sprayed ww40 into the ports on a few Corvettes and it has worked. I sprayed the one I have now when one light was slow and the other just didn't come up. Now they pop like new and that was back in October when I sprayed them.
Sorry yours got flamed and mine didnt, I dont understand why anyone would flame a genuine handy hint that works. The only further suggestion I have on this hint is that maybe WD40 isnt a long term solution, if it gets slow again in the future I will try a silicon based spray as it may deliver longer lasting silicon to the plunger. Vegemite may work but how do you stop the ants from moving in????????
Dennis.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 958
Likes: 88
From: Rexburg Idaho
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 596
Likes: 6
From: Irving Texas
Am I the only one that is mad that a can of WD40 now costs $5 at walmart instead of $3 because of their new fancy spray tube that cant be lost.......crappy marketing genius!!!
I've been looking for the old cheap cans....nowhere to be found.
I've been looking for the old cheap cans....nowhere to be found.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Sorry yours got flamed and mine didnt, I dont understand why anyone would flame a genuine handy hint that works. The only further suggestion I have on this hint is that maybe WD40 isnt a long term solution, if it gets slow again in the future I will try a silicon based spray as it may deliver longer lasting silicon to the plunger. Vegemite may work but how do you stop the ants from moving in????????
Dennis.
Dennis.
(Spraying WD in the vent hose of the vacuum switch under the left wiper arm is a must when testing that part of the system.)
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I wonder if the newest no-loss tube has something to do with spray back getting in someones eyes. With the original cans you could slightly press down and control the flow but then they went to cans that would blast as soon as you touched the button (probably so you would use more product).I started buying WD by the gallon and using my own method of delivery,much much better and cheaper.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
Sorry yours got flamed and mine didnt, I dont understand why anyone would flame a genuine handy hint that works. The only further suggestion I have on this hint is that maybe WD40 isnt a long term solution, if it gets slow again in the future I will try a silicon based spray as it may deliver longer lasting silicon to the plunger. Vegemite may work but how do you stop the ants from moving in????????
Dennis.
Dennis.
Plus silicon won't beat up the rubber hoses and seals IMO.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 51
From: Wichita Kansas
You however just throw parts at every problem and insult everyone who you disagree with and that’s not hard to do.
One of the best improvements this forum could ever make is to add you to the band list. You sir are extremely condescending.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 51
From: Wichita Kansas
Sorry yours got flamed and mine didnt, I dont understand why anyone would flame a genuine handy hint that works. The only further suggestion I have on this hint is that maybe WD40 isnt a long term solution, if it gets slow again in the future I will try a silicon based spray as it may deliver longer lasting silicon to the plunger. Vegemite may work but how do you stop the ants from moving in????????
Dennis.
Dennis.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Mike Ward - Yes, you were the big flamer on my post as you normally do. I didn't want to call you out in this thread. I stated that I like to spray all of the ports. The actuators have seals that can benefit from some lube. You just like to discredit anyone you choose to lash out at. If the lube doesn't fix the problem then no loss; it can be replaced.
You however just throw parts at every problem and insult everyone who you disagree with and that’s not hard to do.
One of the best improvements this forum could ever make is to add you to the band list. You sir are extremely condescending.
You however just throw parts at every problem and insult everyone who you disagree with and that’s not hard to do.
One of the best improvements this forum could ever make is to add you to the band list. You sir are extremely condescending.
If any of you find this beyond your tolerance level, please please block me.http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...s-already.html
BTW- you made no mention of spraying all the ports, just the two ports of the actuator. WD40 is NOT a rubber conditioner.