Looking at an 81 with DEAD headlights

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 13, 2012 | 06:54 PM

SDS Photography

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 1,164

Likes: 5

From: Middle Earth

Looking at an 81 with DEAD headlights

I am looking at buying an 81 in ok shape. The guy told me the lights did not work. So, I did research and kept finding things about what to do if one works and one does not or if they are slow. These lights do nothing. They come on but not not even shake. Any ideas or direction I should head?

Thanks

Feb 13, 2012 | 07:33 PM

Mark Riles

Pro

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 577

Likes: 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyInBlack

Most likely a vacuum issue. It can be a big issue though, as you have to check the switch, override, all the tubing, connections at the engine, check valve, and connections at the vac tank. Do a search for vacuum system troubleshooting guide, and go from there.

Feb 13, 2012 | 07:50 PM

johnt365

Drifting

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 1,714

Likes: 42

From: Austin Texas

There are several vendors here that have the parts you will need. You can troubleshoot the system but chances are there will be multiple failures. For example, I replaced my actuator seals and then did not drive the car for about 3 years. In this time they became brittle and cracked.

So, pick a vendor and assume the following for budgeting.

1 Vacuum hose kit
2 headlight relays
IF the actuators test to be good,
1 actuator seal kit (has parts for both)

I recommend troubleshooting each component first though and this is what I used. You can rent the vac pump if you don't already have one.
http://www.corvette-101.com/vacuum.htm

The hardest component to test is the actual headlight switch due to its location in the dash. I removed mine but suppose you could test from the lines that feed it. Mine was bad as well as all of the above.

Last edited by johnt365; Feb 13, 2012 at 07:57 PM.

Feb 13, 2012 | 08:43 PM

72LS1Vette

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 4,883

Likes: 11

From: North Easton Mass

It's a good negotiating point. Tell the seller that it could cost $1,500 to fix the problem (although it will cost a lot less) and see how much he will adjust the price.

Rick B.

Feb 13, 2012 | 10:17 PM

scottyp99

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 5,948

Likes: 72

From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!

here's another good primer on 'C3 headlights. Don't tell the seller, but chances are it's something simple and relatively easy to repair.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...tem-works.html

Scott

Feb 14, 2012 | 11:04 AM

Easy Mike

Team Owner

Joined: Jun 2000

Posts: 38,923

Likes: 1,482

From: Southbound

Cruise-In II Veteran

Raising and lowering headlight doors is 100% vacuum.

Operation of the lights (on and off) is 100% electrical.

What's going on with yours? Raising and lowering but not turning on? Turn on but not raising or lowering?

Do you have interior lights?

Have you tried the override?

Last edited by Easy Mike; Feb 14, 2012 at 12:31 PM.

Feb 14, 2012 | 12:10 PM

Turbotrad

Racer

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 276

Likes: 5

From: Aptos, CA

Replacing actuator seals is very easy. If you get caught with while your at it itis then you will spend more time repainting and rebuilding linkages. But to just get them operating is very simple.

Feb 14, 2012 | 01:39 PM

Sully1882

Melting Slicks

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 2,092

Likes: 5

From: Fayetteville Arkansas

you should be able to manually lift them. stick your hand under the front nose and push the headlight assembly up and they should lock into place. If that all works the vacuum stuff is easy to fix.... sometimes time consuming but usually easy.

hth,

Sully