Headlights Rise when Started?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 202
Likes: 2
From: Enola PA
Headlights Rise when Started?
I have done some searching on this topic, read the trouble shooting guide 101 and down loaded a few posts but before I go buy a vacuum pump and start trouble shooting, does anyone have an idea as to where to start looking?
When I start the engine, the head lights rise, (Manual ***** are pushed in and light switch is off) when I turn the engine off, the lights go down. (I think...) I replaced all the hoses and have a new check valve and filter installed.
Any suggestions prior to digging in is appreciated.
When I start the engine, the head lights rise, (Manual ***** are pushed in and light switch is off) when I turn the engine off, the lights go down. (I think...) I replaced all the hoses and have a new check valve and filter installed.
Any suggestions prior to digging in is appreciated.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 25
From: Buena Vista Colorado
Can you hear the hissing of a vacuum leak coming from under the driver's side dash?
If there's no hissing, I suspect the white-striped hose from the "pull down" valve under your steering column to the tops of your relays is not connected at one end or the other; or the non-striped hose from the check valve to the light switch is not connected at the check valve.
If there is hissing, I suspect the non-striped hose from the check valve to the light switch is not connected at the light switch.
Click here for a set of diagrams showing how the system works and correct hose connections.
Please update this thread when you've fixed what's wrong, and Good Luck!
Jerry
If there's no hissing, I suspect the white-striped hose from the "pull down" valve under your steering column to the tops of your relays is not connected at one end or the other; or the non-striped hose from the check valve to the light switch is not connected at the check valve.
If there is hissing, I suspect the non-striped hose from the check valve to the light switch is not connected at the light switch.
Click here for a set of diagrams showing how the system works and correct hose connections.
Please update this thread when you've fixed what's wrong, and Good Luck!
Jerry
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 202
Likes: 2
From: Enola PA
Jerry,
Thanks for the insight and I will take a look tonight and post an update.
No hissing comming from under the dash that I can hear. But with the sound of side pipes and Pete Jackson gears, this is anything but quiet... So it is possible.
Thanks for the insight and I will take a look tonight and post an update.
No hissing comming from under the dash that I can hear. But with the sound of side pipes and Pete Jackson gears, this is anything but quiet... So it is possible.
Limping across the line
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,299
Likes: 109
From: Peoria Az
Start by T'ing in a vacuum gauge between check valve and Tank. With engine off does vacuum hold? No= cap off vacuum tank ports check again. Vac hold? yes= trouble shoot components downstream. No= bad check valve.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 202
Likes: 2
From: Enola PA
Jerry,
It was too darn cold in the garage last night to do much testing.
I did look and the hoses are connected to what I believe is the proper ports. The white stripe hose actually goes to the wiper door manual lift lower control under the dash.
I will need to do some additional checking to ensure that the plain black hose is connected to the right port on the light switch.
How does the wiper valve play into this and if I wanted to bypass that is it possible. I have it hooked up but that too does not function. I am really not that concerned about the wipers at this point, I hope to never be in the rain and if I do, RainX will be on the windshield and all glass. thanks again, your write up and diagrams are fantastic!
It was too darn cold in the garage last night to do much testing.
I did look and the hoses are connected to what I believe is the proper ports. The white stripe hose actually goes to the wiper door manual lift lower control under the dash.
I will need to do some additional checking to ensure that the plain black hose is connected to the right port on the light switch.
How does the wiper valve play into this and if I wanted to bypass that is it possible. I have it hooked up but that too does not function. I am really not that concerned about the wipers at this point, I hope to never be in the rain and if I do, RainX will be on the windshield and all glass. thanks again, your write up and diagrams are fantastic!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 25
From: Buena Vista Colorado
The white stripe hose actually goes to the wiper door manual lift lower control under the dash.
Time for you to step back and verify your hose routings and connections. Then if your system still has problems, start testing with your vacuum pump.
You can download a good connection schematic for your '69 from Willcox Corvette's (forum sponsor) web site. Here's the link:
Corvette Headlamp and Wiper Vacuum Schematics 1968-1982
The wiper valve doesn't play into the headlight system IF hose connections are correct. Looks like you can bypass the wiper valve by pulling off and plugging the small black hose that goes to the "T" in the small black hose coming from the check valve.
