Do I really need two headlight vacuum relays?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Do I really need two headlight vacuum relays? (Cookwithvette)
Yes. Matter of fact, I'm pretty sure earlier C3s only had one.
JB
[Modified by JB, 3:07 PM 6/3/2003]
JB
[Modified by JB, 3:07 PM 6/3/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: South Central Louisiana
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Do I really need two headlight vacuum relays? (Cookwithvette)
Thats how my 71 is set up. It works alot better with one good relay controling both lights than 1 good and one bad.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: Do I really need two headlight vacuum relays? (Cookwithvette)
I am not sure why they(GM) switched to two but as JB says 68's and 69's have only one .. Mine work fine with one. Maybe it was a safety issue. If one relay failed then you could at least drive with one light.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,023
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From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Do I really need two headlight vacuum relays? (bluevetteman)
I am not sure why they(GM) switched to two but as JB says 68's and 69's have only one .. Mine work fine with one. Maybe it was a safety issue. If one relay failed then you could at least drive with one light.
JB
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Burning Brakes
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From: Des Moines Iowa
Re: Do I really need two headlight vacuum relays? (Cookwithvette)
Yep, one will work, and maybe two are better just to ensure you have one headlight, if a relay fails.
Relays can be taken apart, cleaned and re-lube the seals in an attempt to improve their performance, I know because that's what I did to improve my headlight operation. There is a link or was one from another forum member who documented the re-build process as well as the trouble shooting process, and I followed it with success in improving my headlight operation.
Relays can be taken apart, cleaned and re-lube the seals in an attempt to improve their performance, I know because that's what I did to improve my headlight operation. There is a link or was one from another forum member who documented the re-build process as well as the trouble shooting process, and I followed it with success in improving my headlight operation.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Europe , Luxembourg
Re: Do I really need two headlight vacuum relays? (JB)
Maybe it was a safety issue. If one relay failed then you could at least drive with one light.
JB
JB
My 68 only has one and works fine.
The headlights can be manually raised by grabbing under the front grill and breaking the overcenter lock while pulling the light assy up. Of course, the linkage needs to be correctly adjusted in order to snap into overcenter in up and/or down position. It's ment that way for safety reason and possibly even to get it registered for road use.
Gunther
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From: Swords Check/Saws Check/Clubs Check/Claws Check/Hatred Check/Anger Check/Murmaid Check/Murder Check
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Re: Do I really need two headlight vacuum relays? (Cookwithvette)
hmmmm... might have to look into this
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: knoxville tn
Re: Do I really need two headlight vacuum relays? (Cookwithvette)
Hi:
All 68's and most all 69's had one originally. GM changed to two because of safety mainly because they are so likely to fail. I guess one light is better than none.
If the rest of your vacuum system is in good working order, then both light should open together even with two separate relays. One relay will work, but I would consider putting two back in the car when you can.
All 68's and most all 69's had one originally. GM changed to two because of safety mainly because they are so likely to fail. I guess one light is better than none.
If the rest of your vacuum system is in good working order, then both light should open together even with two separate relays. One relay will work, but I would consider putting two back in the car when you can.
Safety Car
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From: No link, No dupe
Re: Do I really need two headlight vacuum relays? (Desertdawg)
Interesting idea, Now I'm going to have to look at mine. :thumbs:
As far as the safety issue, I can always manually lift the headlights. I'm having to do that now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Do I really need two headlight vacuum relays? (shotgun_000)
As far as the safety issue, I can always manually lift the headlights. I'm having to do that now.
JB
