Headlights close but won't open
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 149
From: Frisco TX
Headlights close but won't open
I thought I would start another thread with new information.
My headlights close but don't want to open. I have gone through the checking of the individual parts and this is what I have found.
I have almost 15 inches of vacuum in the storage container with engine running.
I checked the relays with a hand pump yesterday and they work. I could here them sliding back & forth.
I tried to check them today by removing the actuation hose but even with a stethoscope I could not here the valves moving.
If it is now the relays or the actuators isn't it odd that they both failes at the same time?
My headlights close but don't want to open. I have gone through the checking of the individual parts and this is what I have found.
I have almost 15 inches of vacuum in the storage container with engine running.
I checked the relays with a hand pump yesterday and they work. I could here them sliding back & forth.
I tried to check them today by removing the actuation hose but even with a stethoscope I could not here the valves moving.
If it is now the relays or the actuators isn't it odd that they both failes at the same time?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
If the seals are out of the actuators, the headlights will close but not open themselves. The seals are under the boots on the front of the actuators. This is exactly what my 80 Vette did. I put new seals and boots in the actuators while they were still in the car. Not all that much fun, but can be done.
Mike
Mike
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 149
From: Frisco TX
It is a 78 Vette. Nothing has been changed on the car since they put the engine back in after the rebuild.
After that the headlights would open until about a month ago they just stopped.
I have tested the headlight switch. I turned it on and the vaccuum in the small hose goes away. If I close the swithc the vacuum is back.
When I remove the small control hose from 1 relay that should let the headlight for that side come up correct? Because lack of vacuum on the valve routes the vacuum to the open port on the actuator.
After that the headlights would open until about a month ago they just stopped.
I have tested the headlight switch. I turned it on and the vaccuum in the small hose goes away. If I close the swithc the vacuum is back.
When I remove the small control hose from 1 relay that should let the headlight for that side come up correct? Because lack of vacuum on the valve routes the vacuum to the open port on the actuator.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 149
From: Frisco TX
If the seals are out of the actuators, the headlights will close but not open themselves. The seals are under the boots on the front of the actuators. This is exactly what my 80 Vette did. I put new seals and boots in the actuators while they were still in the car. Not all that much fun, but can be done.
Mike
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
Not saying it's the only thing it could be, but a definite possibility.
Mike
Last edited by v2racing; Aug 17, 2017 at 07:24 PM.
