Headlights pop up
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Headlights pop up
Lights were fine on my 71 2 weeks ago but started opening up on start up and will not go down until the car is shut off and then go down slowly. Override is off. Wiper door works fine. Any advice on where to start. I looked through the search function and could not find anything specific to this. Also is it possible to lower them while this is happening while running?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 25
From: Buena Vista Colorado
Since it is happening with both headlights, my guess is you have little or no vacuum at all getting to the tops of your headlight relays. Could be a large leak or a hose completely disconnected somewhere between your check valve and the "T" that connects the small, white-striped hose to your headlight relays. Here's a link to a thread that might help you sort it out:
How Your Headlight Vacuum System Works
Start by checking your hose connections everywhere between circle 1 and circle 2 as shown in Figure 1. Start with the most accessible connections first. Also listen for a steady "hiss" behind the driver side dash that would indicate a leak or disconnect.
How Your Headlight Vacuum System Works
Start by checking your hose connections everywhere between circle 1 and circle 2 as shown in Figure 1. Start with the most accessible connections first. Also listen for a steady "hiss" behind the driver side dash that would indicate a leak or disconnect.
Last edited by 78IndyPace; Aug 21, 2011 at 07:22 PM. Reason: Added last paragraph.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,214
Likes: 4,301
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi F71
Yes, you can lower them by hand.
The first time you'll need to lay on the ground and look up at the headlight mechanism through the cooling holes in the bottom of the front valance under/behind the front grills.
You'll need to pull down on the rod that the four small springs attach to. You'll need to give it a tug because it locks in the up position and it'll take some pull to overcome the 'lock'.
After the first time you'll be able to do it by crouching down and reaching your arm up into the opening and feeling for the rod.
Don't pull on the plastic headlight warning switch by mistake, it's right there and easy to break.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
You can see the rod and springs in the lower/center of this picture. You can also see the switch you'll want to avoid pulling on.
Yes, you can lower them by hand.
The first time you'll need to lay on the ground and look up at the headlight mechanism through the cooling holes in the bottom of the front valance under/behind the front grills.
You'll need to pull down on the rod that the four small springs attach to. You'll need to give it a tug because it locks in the up position and it'll take some pull to overcome the 'lock'.
After the first time you'll be able to do it by crouching down and reaching your arm up into the opening and feeling for the rod.
Don't pull on the plastic headlight warning switch by mistake, it's right there and easy to break.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
You can see the rod and springs in the lower/center of this picture. You can also see the switch you'll want to avoid pulling on.
