headlights
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 218
Likes: 3
From: East Bethel MN
headlights
Hello,
I recently purchased an early 76. When I turn the headlights on...it takes a few seconds and the right one pops up...and a few more seconds and the left one pops up. Turning them off is the same scenario but in reverse. Is this normal? If not, what can I do to attempt to repair? Thanks.
I recently purchased an early 76. When I turn the headlights on...it takes a few seconds and the right one pops up...and a few more seconds and the left one pops up. Turning them off is the same scenario but in reverse. Is this normal? If not, what can I do to attempt to repair? Thanks.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Jason-
In most cases the headlamps will not come up in unison. They will come up close to the same time but usually not exact. What causes this? Well you could have a weak or leaking vacuum relay or you could have a weak or leaking actuator or both.
What you might want to do is make sure you don't have any cracks in the hoses and also make sure that the hoses are not swollen out from being on the nipple. sometimes when the hose has enough play you can snip off about 1/2" and it will make the hose tight to the nipple again.
Another thing that can cause on side to be slower is the pivot pins in the headlamp assembly binding up.
Let me see if I can post you a picture.
In most cases the headlamps will not come up in unison. They will come up close to the same time but usually not exact. What causes this? Well you could have a weak or leaking vacuum relay or you could have a weak or leaking actuator or both.
What you might want to do is make sure you don't have any cracks in the hoses and also make sure that the hoses are not swollen out from being on the nipple. sometimes when the hose has enough play you can snip off about 1/2" and it will make the hose tight to the nipple again.
Another thing that can cause on side to be slower is the pivot pins in the headlamp assembly binding up.
Let me see if I can post you a picture.
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Sep 17, 2010 at 04:11 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Really? Several months ago I was checking over a 68 vette for a prospective buyer and when he turned on the headlights, both doors opened and closed at the exact same time. I was surprised b/c like you said, most if not all headlamp doors will open and close exactly the same time.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 675
From: FL
I would suspect a vacuum leak.
My '75 has no problems but used to have a '77 that was a different story. Very slow headlights on that car. So bad that I removed one spring (10 in diagram) per a headlight. One day, I was diagnosing a heater problem. No control of heater flow (which is laso controlled by vacuum). Found loose vacuum lines at heater control. Reinstalled and the headlights started working great (as well as the heater controls). Moral is that one small vacuum leak can cause all kinds of issues.
My '75 has no problems but used to have a '77 that was a different story. Very slow headlights on that car. So bad that I removed one spring (10 in diagram) per a headlight. One day, I was diagnosing a heater problem. No control of heater flow (which is laso controlled by vacuum). Found loose vacuum lines at heater control. Reinstalled and the headlights started working great (as well as the heater controls). Moral is that one small vacuum leak can cause all kinds of issues.
