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Yes another headlights Question...Help?

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Old Sep 18, 2013 | 03:25 PM
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Default Yes another headlights Question...Help?

The headlights of my '73 are very slow coming up and down. They both come up and down so I don't think is the Actuators.
The Relays are aftermarket , the filter is clean and the vacum hoses seem to be ok.
The Right Actuator however is missing the little black boot and the one on the left looks old.
Funny part is the right headlight seems to be working better!

Should I replace or reseal the oem Actuators or replace the Relays?

Help )

Thanks

Last edited by Cattiva73; Sep 18, 2013 at 03:40 PM.
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Old Sep 18, 2013 | 04:56 PM
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Do yourself a giant favor ($$), and test your relays and actuators first. I can almost guarantee you if either one looks "old", or is missing a boot, you probably have a vacuum leak there. There have been many posts here on how to test them. If you do not have access to a mityvac or similar vacuum pump, many parts stores loan them out.

If you need more info, here's a good place to start..

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...tem-works.html
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Old Sep 19, 2013 | 07:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Dave J
Do yourself a giant favor ($$), and test your relays and actuators first. I can almost guarantee you if either one looks "old", or is missing a boot, you probably have a vacuum leak there. There have been many posts here on how to test them. If you do not have access to a mityvac or similar vacuum pump, many parts stores loan them out.

If you need more info, here's a good place to start..

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...tem-works.html
Awesome. thank you
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Old Sep 19, 2013 | 08:59 AM
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You can test each item with a vacuum pump. I did a video to show you how.

1968-1982 Corvette Headlamp Vacuum Diagnostic Help.


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Old Sep 19, 2013 | 02:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Willcox Corvette
You can test each item with a vacuum pump. I did a video to show you how.

1968-1982 Corvette Headlamp Vacuum Diagnostic Help.


I guess its time to buy a vacum pump.

Great info. Thanks!
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Old Sep 19, 2013 | 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Cattiva73
...I guess its time to buy a vacum pump...
They're worth having around.
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Old Sep 19, 2013 | 04:39 PM
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Since both actuators work and at about the same speed, your problem is most likely worn seals in the vacuum relays which send the vacuum to those actuators.

After actuating them on your car (engine running), get a can of WD-40 or spray engine oil; pull the center hose off of each headlight vaccum relay and shoot a bit of oil/WD-40 into the relay. Then, place the hose back on and actuate the headlights again. If the headlights pop up just fine, the seals are worn on the relays.

There is no rebuild kit available for them. You will likely have to purchase new ones to get the headlights working properly.
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Old Sep 20, 2013 | 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by 7T1vette
Since both actuators work and at about the same speed, your problem is most likely worn seals in the vacuum relays which send the vacuum to those actuators.

There is no rebuild kit available for them. You will likely have to purchase new ones to get the headlights working properly.
While 7T1 is correct that no rebuild kit is available, the seals (or "dog bone" valves) in your relays CAN be easily and economically repaired if they are not completely destroyed. And given the many reports on this forum of poor quality replacement relays, a repair attempt is very much worth the time and trouble.

Corvette-101.com includes a relay repair procedure for the “dog bone” valves. Another repair method I used successfully for these valves can be found HERE.

Good luck!

Last edited by 78IndyPace; Sep 20, 2013 at 11:19 AM.
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