Headlight switch noise?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 252
Likes: 48
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Headlight switch noise?
New to Corvettes - Not old cars. New to vacuum headlight switch system - Question - what is the little plunger under the dash used for and what is the process to turn/ bring the headlight buckets up?
Mike
Mike
Pro
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 729
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From: Kelowna British Columbia
The plunger is too bring the lights up as long as there is sufficient air stored in tank. If not you can also push them up from underneath. If you cannor reach may have to take grill off. Watch you don't pinch fingers. To put down from underneath there is an elbow on rods that you collapse.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Suggestion:
Get a copy of a Chevy Corvette Owners Manual for your year. Sometimes originals on fleabay etc. Reprints widely available.
CF supporting vendor Willcox probably has yours for under $20.
Get a copy of a Chevy Corvette Owners Manual for your year. Sometimes originals on fleabay etc. Reprints widely available.
CF supporting vendor Willcox probably has yours for under $20.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 252
Likes: 48
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Come to think of it i do have an owners manual that the wife bought. Didn't think of that one. So i am doing right - Pull the plunger and then pull the light switch out. When i do this the lights did come up as they should. Next question - When switch is pulled/lights up - I hear a vacuum pull/ leak by the switch. Is this right? New switch and vac hoses.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,679
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From: Shamong, NJ
The pull down vacuum switch under the dash was intended to open the headlights without turning them on. This was so you could clean the lamps, change a bulb, leave them up in snow or ice, so they wouldn't freeze closed, etc. If your headlight switch is working correctly, and your vacuum hoses are properly routed, the headlights should open and close just by using the headlight switch. You should not have to use the under dash switch when turning the lights on.
I haven't driven my Corvette in a while, especially at night, but I can't say that I notice any vacuum noise, when I operate my headlights. There have been issues with the vacuum switches on some of the aftermarket headlight switches though.
I haven't driven my Corvette in a while, especially at night, but I can't say that I notice any vacuum noise, when I operate my headlights. There have been issues with the vacuum switches on some of the aftermarket headlight switches though.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,259
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From: Deplorableville Nebraska
Next question - When switch is pulled/lights up - I hear a vacuum pull/ leak by the switch. Is this right? New switch and vac hoses.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Virginia USA
Your main switch on the dash should raise and turn on your lights. This is the primary way to use the headlights. The plunger switch under the steering column is called the headlamp override switch. If you have a wiper door there should be another override switch under the steering column and also a switch with a big **** on it that rotates. In the event the normal headlamp switch doesn't open the buckets you can use the override switch to open them and the normal switch to turn them on (you can also push up on the arm as stated to get them open). This is true for the wiper door override switch and the big knobbed switch is to stop the wiper arms while they are traveling to change the blades.
You can use the headlamp override switch to clean your lamps and other things suggested but the main purpose of the override switch it to open the buckets in situations such as yours. You should never have to use that switch.
If you are hearing a noise from your main switch it's probably a vacuum leak as suggested above. Unfortunately it's not fun to get to.
You can use the headlamp override switch to clean your lamps and other things suggested but the main purpose of the override switch it to open the buckets in situations such as yours. You should never have to use that switch.
If you are hearing a noise from your main switch it's probably a vacuum leak as suggested above. Unfortunately it's not fun to get to.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 140
Likes: 1
From: east hampton ct
You may need to check the new switch itself as the switch needs to hold vacuum. Some of the new switches are not of the best quality and may to be disasembled and have plastic burrs removed so the the switch properly seals internally.
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You should not hear a leak with just the headlight switch.
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; May 15, 2019 at 10:15 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 252
Likes: 48
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Thanks for all the reply's - Now i understand how it works. Yes it is an aftermarket switch and is a bear to get too. Hope its not a bad one - Will keep you all posted.
Thanks,
Mike
Thanks,
Mike