C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

headlights...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 28, 2012 | 06:34 AM
  #1  
jman1's Avatar
jman1
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,501
Likes: 1
From: Maine
Default headlights...

my headlight goes up on its own.. when i step on the gas hard.. the drivers side pops up for like 10 seconds... everything is new... lines ,actuators...everything..... they work perfect otherwise....any thoughts???
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2012 | 09:32 AM
  #2  
wombvette's Avatar
wombvette
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Default

Usually a case of low vacuum in the signal line. When the signal vacuum is off the headlights come up. They default to the up position. When you hit the gas hard, the vacuum falls in that line causing the bucket to come up. Look for low vacuum in that line. Check valve, leaks in the line, leaks at the switches, vacuum reservoir, etc.
Reply
Old Sep 29, 2012 | 04:13 AM
  #3  
7T1vette's Avatar
7T1vette
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Default

I'm thinking that the [one-way] check valve is either installed backwards or it is defective.
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2012 | 08:08 AM
  #4  
jman1's Avatar
jman1
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,501
Likes: 1
From: Maine
Default

there are no leaks in the lines at all.. everything is new and holding vacuum... i will check the valve...
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2012 | 09:45 AM
  #5  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,273
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi Jm,
Because of the sometimes/often poor quality of the replacement parts for the headlight system you may have a malfunctioning relay or actuator.
Do you have a guide to check the operation of each part and a vacuum pump with gauge to use for the tests?
Many people find the trouble shooting guide from Dr. Rebuild and a mighty-vac pump well worth their cost.
Regards,
Alan
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2012 | 09:51 AM
  #6  
Willcox Corvette's Avatar
0Willcox Corvette
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default

Jim they all nailed it... Vacuum has to be dropping on the small hose for it to pop up..

If it's happening when you nail it I'd go to the check valve first, then the reserve tank...

I have a video now that will show you how to check all the components..

Reply
Old Sep 30, 2012 | 09:54 AM
  #7  
scottyp99's Avatar
scottyp99
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Default

Originally Posted by 7T1vette
I'm thinking that the [one-way] check valve is either installed backwards or it is defective.


My 'vette had the same problem when I first bought it. My brother used to refer to the car as "winky", and I used to joke about painting an eyepatch over the other headlight! A new check valve is what cured it.


Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2012 | 10:30 AM
  #8  
mrvette's Avatar
mrvette
Team Owner
Active Streak: 120 Days
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Default

I had that problem with my wiper door for the longest time, and so I finally gave up and took the vacuum relay apart, cut and rebent the spring to weaken it enough that it did not change state on the control end, and so the door stayed closed, when converting to intermittent wipers, I also changed to a linear actuator on the door, using simple relay logic to run the thing, controlled by magnetic burglar alarm switches from radio shack.....

Reply

Get notified of new replies

To headlights...

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:10 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE