1977 Corvette Headlight Problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 221
Likes: 1
From: Sylmar CA
1977 Corvette Headlight Problem
My 1977 corvette headlights are jacked up. The driver side stays up and won't go down at all yet it won't turn on, my passenger side goes up about a half inch and then goes back down, so i have to lift it up with my hands, and the passenger side lights up. In the dash i have no idea how to make it high or low beam. In the dash a blue light stays on when the lights are on but only the front side to the outside of the car stay on. Any ideas how to check it or see whats going on? My car looks like a pirate with only the driver headlight stuck open and not working, and the passenger side needing my assistance to go up, but it lights up.
Any help will be much appreciated, I've been having this problem for months now. Reply here or PM or email me please.
pelayo114@gmail.com
Any help will be much appreciated, I've been having this problem for months now. Reply here or PM or email me please.
pelayo114@gmail.com
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 221
Likes: 1
From: Sylmar CA
scottyp99 your help is appreciated, but I have already been through that forum and in the last page another member suggested I start another thread to get help because none of the pictures or replies there were useful. Thank you tho.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Hi & Low
Pull up & push down on the turn signal lever. You could have some bulb(s) out.
Relays commonly need repair. See RTV relay repair instructions here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...of-vacuum.html slk230red Dave got info. by PM from me & posted pics.
You could try bypassing the vac. tank in front which might help.
Pull up & push down on the turn signal lever. You could have some bulb(s) out.
Relays commonly need repair. See RTV relay repair instructions here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...of-vacuum.html slk230red Dave got info. by PM from me & posted pics.
You could try bypassing the vac. tank in front which might help.
Last edited by Ganey; Oct 4, 2011 at 04:54 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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Did you check if you are getting current to the drivers side? For high/low beam are you moving the headlight stalk away from you and towards you? The link Scotty gave you shows the whole vacuum circuit, did you check if the actuator on the drivers side is getting vacuum when the lights are supposed to be off? You should be able to locate the vacuum issue based on the diagram.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
In case you missed it in the sticky here's an easy way to test each component...
http://www.corvette-101.com/vacuum.htm
http://www.corvette-101.com/vacuum.htm
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 221
Likes: 1
From: Sylmar CA
Ganey, I tried that level and nothing happens when I use it, no click and no lights change or anything. Thanks for the link.
Melwff, I'm looking through the link that scotty gave me, I'm not sure what color any lines are because everything was apparently spray painted black so its a bit difficult to see. and yes I am moving the lever out towards me for high beams but nothing happens.
petes74ttop, awesome thanks for the link.
Melwff, I'm looking through the link that scotty gave me, I'm not sure what color any lines are because everything was apparently spray painted black so its a bit difficult to see. and yes I am moving the lever out towards me for high beams but nothing happens.
petes74ttop, awesome thanks for the link.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
There is a rod to the switch which is on the lower part of the column & there is an adjustment. Turn lights on & pull up towards you on the turn signal lever. There should be a click.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 221
Likes: 1
From: Sylmar CA
I only see the rod which is supposed to be high beams and turn signals but the high beams don't click turn on.
My internet was glitchy and down and I wasn't able to get on to reply.
My internet was glitchy and down and I wasn't able to get on to reply.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 25
From: Buena Vista Colorado
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...rAdj19JA06.doc
Here's a link showing what the switch looks like:
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1977-1978.html
Zip Corvette and Willcox web sites have great collections of technical reference articles:
http://www.zip-corvette.com/Common/5...5d8fee64.aspx?
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...+%23&x=33&y=12
As for you headlight vacuum system problem, I suspect your relays. Your driver's side staying in the extended position means the actuator is not getting vacuum to pull & hold it down, while the passenger side is not getting sufficient vacuum to push & hold it all the way up.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 221
Likes: 1
From: Sylmar CA
This seems to be exactly what i was looking for to fix this problem. I'll try to get started ASAP but I'm not sure when it'll be since I am in college and have midterms and finals coming up very soon. Thanks
Also since I am going to need to take apart the steering column is there a way I can also fix the horn? I don't know what it is that activates the horn in the setup or anything. I'm completely new to it. I just don't want to have to take it apart twice if I can fix both at once.
As for the headlights being stuck, I seemed to have given it a temporary fix. I moved some of the vacuum lines around and when I turn the headlights on sometimes the driver side will go up and sometimes it wont, the passenger side struggles and moves up about an inch or 2 and then goes back down. As soon as i manually lift them up with my hand they stay in the open position until I turn off the headlights and with a few seconds passing by the driver side closes, and a few seconds after the passenger side closes. Not sure if its supposed to be like that but I highly doubt it. Anyone have any ideas?
Also since I am going to need to take apart the steering column is there a way I can also fix the horn? I don't know what it is that activates the horn in the setup or anything. I'm completely new to it. I just don't want to have to take it apart twice if I can fix both at once.
As for the headlights being stuck, I seemed to have given it a temporary fix. I moved some of the vacuum lines around and when I turn the headlights on sometimes the driver side will go up and sometimes it wont, the passenger side struggles and moves up about an inch or 2 and then goes back down. As soon as i manually lift them up with my hand they stay in the open position until I turn off the headlights and with a few seconds passing by the driver side closes, and a few seconds after the passenger side closes. Not sure if its supposed to be like that but I highly doubt it. Anyone have any ideas?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 25
From: Buena Vista Colorado
If you DO want to fix the horn and you know the problem IS in the steering column, then you'll need one or more of Jim Shea's Steering Papers which are all available here:
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?cat=5
As for the headlights being stuck, I seemed to have given it a temporary fix. I moved some of the vacuum lines around and when I turn the headlights on sometimes the driver side will go up and sometimes it wont, the passenger side struggles and moves up about an inch or 2 and then goes back down. As soon as i manually lift them up with my hand they stay in the open position until I turn off the headlights and with a few seconds passing by the driver side closes, and a few seconds after the passenger side closes. Not sure if its supposed to be like that but I highly doubt it. Anyone have any ideas?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 221
Likes: 1
From: Sylmar CA
Oh I see, I'm looking at jim shea's papers right now. Seems to be somewhat difficult but do-able. If the dimmer switch doesnt 'click' that means i have to adjust it and if not completely replace it right?
And is there a way to be able to tell where the problem for the horn is? If it is in the steering column or somewhere else?
I'm lost on almost everything so any help is appreciated.
And oh i see, first I want to try to get the high beams working and next I'll take care of the headlight vacuum system. Thank you for the advice tho, much appreciated.
And is there a way to be able to tell where the problem for the horn is? If it is in the steering column or somewhere else?
I'm lost on almost everything so any help is appreciated.
And oh i see, first I want to try to get the high beams working and next I'll take care of the headlight vacuum system. Thank you for the advice tho, much appreciated.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 25
From: Buena Vista Colorado
And is there a way to be able to tell where the problem for the horn is? If it is in the steering column or somewhere else?
A good shop manual for your '77 is essential, as is a wiring diagram. I use the "1978 Chevrolet Service Manual" and the wiring diagram that came with it. Found mine on ebay, but several forum sponsor vendors offer them on CDs. An "Assembly Information Manual" or AIM is also valuable to see how things go together. Also available from forum sponsor vendors and often on ebay.
There are no shortcuts. Folks here on the forum are really great about doing what they can to help, but most of us won't offer guesswork as a replacement for effective troubleshooting by the owner.
Your problem could be the fuse, could be somewhere in the wiring, in the steering column, or the horns themselves. Check the easiest parts of the circuit first: Is the fuse blown? Is there voltage at the horns when you press the horn button? And so on. I would go into the steering column ONLY if everything else in the horn circuit checks out OK.
