Right head light will not go down??????
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,255
Likes: 0
From: Manalapan FL
Re: Right head light will not go down?????? (Michael Tucker)
My right headlight housing "hangs up" when I turn the lights off. If I turn the car off before it goes down...it stays open. If I leave the car running for a few more seconds, the light eventually drops. I believe this would mean a vacuum problem.
There are several "headlight vacuum repair kits" available in the catalogs, but changing the hoses first may be the least expensive remedy.
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
There are several "headlight vacuum repair kits" available in the catalogs, but changing the hoses first may be the least expensive remedy.
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Re: Right head light will not go down?????? (74FLCONV)
thanks 74,
i think what i am looking for is how does it work ie vacuum make it go up or down or both and is there a way i can make it go down i drove the car 16 miles and it did not go down. if i could get it down so i could drive it in the daylight it would be nice til the kit comes in
mike
i think what i am looking for is how does it work ie vacuum make it go up or down or both and is there a way i can make it go down i drove the car 16 miles and it did not go down. if i could get it down so i could drive it in the daylight it would be nice til the kit comes in
mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: Right head light will not go down?????? (Michael Tucker)
You can drop it manually by reaching up through the hold under the grill and pulling the elbow linkage forward. Remove the vacuum hoses from the actualtor, then press down on the headlight door to lower it.
Shannon
PS - I was a big fan when you were with the Braves :D
Shannon
PS - I was a big fan when you were with the Braves :D
Instructor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 188
Likes: 1
From: Pearland Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: Right head light will not go down?????? (Michael Tucker)
Usually the problem is not in the vacuum hoses with those headlights, but rather in the vacuum motor that operates it. Especially if only one doesn't go down. There are kits to rebuild the vacumm motors in the Corvette catalogs.
wayne h.
wayne h.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: Right head light will not go down?????? (Michael Tucker)
The headlights do indeed work on a vacuum system, but can be opened and closed manually as stated.
With only one headlight not going down, you should be able to rule out several problems that would affect both lights (e.g., the headlight or over-ride switch).
There are many sites out there with headlight information (operation & repair).
Here are some links...
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2002...s/lights-1.asp
http://www.stingray.nu/bilder/vacuum.pdf
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2002...acuum/vac1.ASP
The headlight system can seem a little intimidating, but it is doable.
Hope this helps.
With only one headlight not going down, you should be able to rule out several problems that would affect both lights (e.g., the headlight or over-ride switch).
There are many sites out there with headlight information (operation & repair).
Here are some links...
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2002...s/lights-1.asp
http://www.stingray.nu/bilder/vacuum.pdf
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2002...acuum/vac1.ASP
The headlight system can seem a little intimidating, but it is doable.
Hope this helps.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Re: Right head light will not go down?????? (sb69coupe)
You can drop it manually by reaching up through the hold under the grill and pulling the elbow linkage forward. Remove the vacuum hoses from the actualtor, then press down on the headlight door to lower it.
Shannon
PS - I was a big fan when you were with the Braves :D
Shannon
PS - I was a big fan when you were with the Braves :D
Like Shannon said.... It's sort of like your leg when you stand straight up with your knees locked. You have to reach behind your knee and push it forward so your legs will bend at the knee. :lol: And you are allowed to drive during the day with one headlight up..... It looks stupid, but it is legal! :) MJ
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Re: Right head light will not go down?????? (sb69coupe)
Shannonthanks for the info but as luck would have it it went down as i started the car after work. i just looked at zip and they have the kit on sell so i think i will order it and do everything to make them new
Mike
shannon your the first person to mention the Braves
Mike
shannon your the first person to mention the Braves
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,844
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From: Pearland TX
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Right head light will not go down?????? (Blue68)
Usually the problem is not in the vacuum hoses with those headlights, but rather in the vacuum motor that operates it. Especially if only one doesn't go down. There are kits to rebuild the vacumm motors in the Corvette catalogs.
wayne h.
wayne h.
It's actually the vacuum actuators that are usually the problem aren't they? I had both replaced and the headlights *flew* before I took this car apart. By the way... have not seen your vette in Pearland. Is it in parts too? :lol: :lol:
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Re: Right head light will not go down?????? (Michael Tucker)
Each headlight actuator has a relay.
The hose at the front-bottom of the actuator opens the headlights. It goes to the bottom(I believe) of the relay.
The hose on the back of the actuator (in the area between nose and radiator) closes the headlights and goes to the top of the corresponding relay.
The yellow hose in the middle of the relay goes to the air tank.
I could have the relay order mixed up, but trace the hoses to the relay and you'll figure out the right order. Also, your vacuum hoses may not have visible color on them anymore, or could have been replaced with wrong-colored or non-colored hose, so the color part may not apply anymore. I believe all vac hoses described are 9/32".
Just from fixing these, you may find that the problem with lights going up and down after engine shuts off will go away. After fixing a leaky front actuator seal, I can shut(or raise) the headlights once after the engine is off. A fully functioning system may let you do this once or twice before giving up the ghost... maybe more. Does a fully functioning system exist? Mine leaks like hell when the engine's off. :)
-Steve
The hose at the front-bottom of the actuator opens the headlights. It goes to the bottom(I believe) of the relay.
The hose on the back of the actuator (in the area between nose and radiator) closes the headlights and goes to the top of the corresponding relay.
The yellow hose in the middle of the relay goes to the air tank.
I could have the relay order mixed up, but trace the hoses to the relay and you'll figure out the right order. Also, your vacuum hoses may not have visible color on them anymore, or could have been replaced with wrong-colored or non-colored hose, so the color part may not apply anymore. I believe all vac hoses described are 9/32".
Just from fixing these, you may find that the problem with lights going up and down after engine shuts off will go away. After fixing a leaky front actuator seal, I can shut(or raise) the headlights once after the engine is off. A fully functioning system may let you do this once or twice before giving up the ghost... maybe more. Does a fully functioning system exist? Mine leaks like hell when the engine's off. :)
-Steve
