Headlight actuator

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

May 22, 2012 | 11:10 PM

john roth

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 417

Likes: 0

From: Red Deer Alberta

Headlight actuator

I put the vacuum directly to the actuators on my 69. Drivers side works beautifully. Passengers side will not raise. I raise it manually and then lower it with vacuum. It comes down about 1/3 of the way, drops another 1/3 like a gulitine and then completes the last 1/3. Do I need a new actuator ?

May 22, 2012 | 11:48 PM

1986coupe

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 1,079

Likes: 1

From: Niagara Falls ON

Yes

May 23, 2012 | 07:10 AM

...Roger...

Race Director

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 16,528

Likes: 53

From: Dayton, Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1986coupe

Yes

You could also try a seal.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...oducts_id=6852

May 23, 2012 | 10:09 AM

Mike Ward

Race Director

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 15,892

Likes: 42

At a minimum, you need the front seal to make the headlight go up. To make it go down smoothly, look at the mechanical linkage for wear or binding.

May 23, 2012 | 12:02 PM

Surfer69

Drifting

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 1,720

Likes: 19

From: Manhattan Beach Ca

Just a heads up. I have exact same problem and bought two new actuators and still have only driver side going up and having to manually lift passanger side. I personally think the China crap actuators are not being made correctly. Right now just living with it.

Suggest replacing seals on original actuators first. I threw mine away like a dummy for some reason. Could also be total vacuum drop in system if you made any major mods lately. My 0.02

May 23, 2012 | 12:46 PM

Peterbuilt

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 7,411

Likes: 1,550

From: mount holly NC

2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)

Sound like a bad relay on the slow side, a drop of 3 in 1 oil in each lower port on the slow side may help for a while.

May 23, 2012 | 02:22 PM

7T1vette

Team Owner

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 37,637

Likes: 3,112

From: Crossville TN

When you test the main servo can, you need to use manifold vacuum directly...not through the relay. Then, if the servo doesn't act properly, you know it's the servo.

But, most of the headlight actuation problems (slow action) are due to the wear on the inner valve seals in the relays. The sealing lips on the ends of the rubber shuttle valve wear down and won't seal correctly...allowing some leakage and, thus, slow servo operation. I have come up with a 'solution' that will "rejuvenate" an original relay valve; but, only the "**** few"--like me--would be willing to go to the trouble. {Costs about a quarter to fix one of them; but requires some careful disassembly and repair. Most folks would prefer to buy a replacement.}