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C3 Vacuum Issue

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Old Oct 26, 2014 | 04:06 PM
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riacreedon@gmail.com's Avatar
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Default C3 Vacuum Issue

Had all new vacuum lines installed in my 70 rdstr when engine was rebuilt. Checked & rechecked routing against several drawings - Eckler's and ***'y Manual. Looks like all are correctly installed. But, when I start the engine headlight doors and wiper door open and won't close, except manually when engine is turned off. Also wipers do not operate.
What might be the cause? Could a bad check valve cause this? Or, or???
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Old Oct 26, 2014 | 04:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Bob Creedon
Had all new vacuum lines installed in my 70 rdstr when engine was rebuilt. Checked & rechecked routing against several drawings - Eckler's and ***'y Manual. Looks like all are correctly installed. But, when I start the engine headlight doors and wiper door open and won't close, except manually when engine is turned off. Also wipers do not operate.
What might be the cause? Could a bad check valve cause this? Or, or???
This is not a check valve symptom. Everything would still function properly with the car running and creating vacuum with a bad check valve. A bad check valve will typically cause your headlights and wiper door to open when you shut your car off. Did your wipers work before the new lines were installed? With the wiper door open there should be nothing to stop the wipers from turning on unless you have an electrical issue with the wipers or maybe the vacuum switch under the dash for the wipers is routed wrong. Your headlights opening when you start the car sounds like either a vacuum leak, vac hoses routed wrong, or possibly the vac hoses on the headlight switch are leaking or disconnected.
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Old Oct 26, 2014 | 04:50 PM
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Hi Bob,
Was there some problem that caused you to change the hoses?
Have you checked that the wiper door and headlight door over-ride switches are pushed up and the wiper motor stop switch is turned clock-wise?
Your problem is likely in the 'control' side of the system, so check the small hoses, relays, and safety switch.
Were the hoses under the dash changed too? Did you double check the headlight switch hoses…. blue striped to the front nipple and black hose to the rear?
Regards,
Alan
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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 09:24 AM
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As Alan posted, since both the wiper and headlight doors open, the problem is in the control circuit. these systems were designed so that a loss of vacuum (either intentional by way of a switch, or unintentional by way of a failure) will open the door. It sounds like you have lost the vacuum on the entire control side of the system.
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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 10:29 AM
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Does the Eckler's diagram still show the incorrect connection at the headlight switch?
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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 12:21 PM
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I agree with the above, first make sure both the overrides are not pulled.

But, if that's not the case, and since both the wiper and headlight control circuits are not getting vacuum, I would think it should be very easy to find. The control circuit vacuum comes out of the 2 port check valve, and goes through the firewall, there it's split between the headlight switch, and the wiper door solenoid. I would think 1) you don't have vacuum coming out of the valve, or 2) the tee connection under the dash has come undone (do you hear a hissing sound under the dash?), or 3) the line from valve to tee is being pinched somehow.
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Old Oct 28, 2014 | 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi Bob,
Was there some problem that caused you to change the hoses?
Have you checked that the wiper door and headlight door over-ride switches are pushed up and the wiper motor stop switch is turned clock-wise?
Your problem is likely in the 'control' side of the system, so check the small hoses, relays, and safety switch.
Were the hoses under the dash changed too? Did you double check the headlight switch hoses…. blue striped to the front nipple and black hose to the rear?
Regards,
Alan
No real problem. Everything vacuum-wise was working when I laid the car up around 2000. The car had been sitting for 10 or 12 years and some of the hoses looked cracked and generally tired if you know what I mean, so the guys who redid the engine replaced them. At least some of the hoses going thru the firewall were also replaced. Not sure about hoses to headlight switch, but I think so. I really hope those are okay because unless I can get to them from under the dash I sure don't want to pull the switch the way the service manual describes. And, yes, the over-ride switches are pushed up. I'll be replacing the stop switch today, mainly because I had bought a new one and simply forgot to put it in. And BTW, thanks for your input.
Bob C.
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Old Oct 28, 2014 | 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Mashman
I agree with the above, first make sure both the overrides are not pulled.

But, if that's not the case, and since both the wiper and headlight control circuits are not getting vacuum, I would think it should be very easy to find. The control circuit vacuum comes out of the 2 port check valve, and goes through the firewall, there it's split between the headlight switch, and the wiper door solenoid. I would think 1) you don't have vacuum coming out of the valve, or 2) the tee connection under the dash has come undone (do you hear a hissing sound under the dash?), or 3) the line from valve to tee is being pinched somehow.
Thanks for your input. You and Alan have given me some good food for thought.
Cheers,
Bob C.
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