How To Open Headlights Without Engine
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
How To Open Headlights Without Engine
My car isn't running right now.
I need to open my headlights to do some work.
Can I hook up to a certain vacuum hose/hoses to up the lights.
I tried hooking up to the vacuum actuator pod and I couldn't get it to raise.
I was using a Mytee Vac to supply the vacuum source. Is there a way I can get them to go up without the engine running?
I need to open my headlights to do some work.
Can I hook up to a certain vacuum hose/hoses to up the lights.
I tried hooking up to the vacuum actuator pod and I couldn't get it to raise.
I was using a Mytee Vac to supply the vacuum source. Is there a way I can get them to go up without the engine running?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
You should be able to pump the headlights up and down with your Mityvac provided the actuator is not leaking.
I used to do this all the time with my wiper door when I was working on it to get it to function properly. Wiper door and headlights all work on the same principle.
Or if the vacuum hoses are disconnected you can raise and lower the headlights by hand. Just don't pull on the plastic headlight warning switch as it will break.
I used to do this all the time with my wiper door when I was working on it to get it to function properly. Wiper door and headlights all work on the same principle.
Or if the vacuum hoses are disconnected you can raise and lower the headlights by hand. Just don't pull on the plastic headlight warning switch as it will break.
Last edited by Iceaxe; Jul 28, 2017 at 12:25 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
Just reach underneath the unit and push up on the pivot point of the mechanism and the headlight will rise and lock into place. Just be careful you don't push on the plastic headlight position warning sensor as they break very easily. You don't have to disconnect or change any lines as it was designed to work like this.
Last edited by CanadaGrant; Jul 28, 2017 at 12:30 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,583
Likes: 504
From: Indianapolis IN
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Grant and Richard hit it on the money...that is by far the easiest way without trying to "make" vacuum. What makes it even easier using that method is disconnecting the hoses from the headlight actuators, so you are not getting any resistance through the vacuum lines...they'll pop right up for you. Reverse the procedure to lower them.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
When reaching up from below to manually open or close the headlight doors it's important to NOT grab or push on the headlight warning switch by mistake. (It's located right where most folks reach to open or close the doors.)
The headlight switch is made of plastic and it's VERY EASY TO BREAK IT.
So use caution!
Push or pull on the rods… not the switch.
Pull forward and down to close.
Push inward and up to open.
Regards,
Alan
When reaching up from below to manually open or close the headlight doors it's important to NOT grab or push on the headlight warning switch by mistake. (It's located right where most folks reach to open or close the doors.)
The headlight switch is made of plastic and it's VERY EASY TO BREAK IT.
So use caution!
Push or pull on the rods… not the switch.
Pull forward and down to close.
Push inward and up to open.
Regards,
Alan
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