Headlights won't close
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 420
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis IN
Headlights won't close
How do you troubleshoot the headlight actuators? I adjusted my idle mixture and replaced a fuse, then they popped up, but won't close.
How does the headlight switch control the acutators?
How is the vacuum switched to close VS open the lights?
Thanks in advance.
Bruce
How does the headlight switch control the acutators?
How is the vacuum switched to close VS open the lights?
Thanks in advance.
Bruce
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Re: Headlights won't close (blunsford)
It is very simple. There is an actuator that pulls and pushes. It raises and closes the headlamps. There is a switch that controls the vacuum to the actuator. It applies vacuum to one side or the other. There is a small vacuum line coming from the light switch that signals the switch. It either has vacuum or not. If not the headlights go up. First check the small line to see if it switches with the HL switch and check for vacuum on the main line to the control switch. It is unusual that the HL will not go down. It is usually the other way around, so I suspect that you have lost the signal. If you were down in the area of the fuses, you may have bumped the line or have pulled the over ride switch. Listen with it running, you may be able to hear the leak.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 420
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis IN
Re: Headlights won't close (wombvette)
Thanks for the info - it helps. I did check for vacuum leaks under the dash. I sprayed some ether around too.
If anyone doesn't know spraying ether (starter fluid) at a suspected vacuum leak will cause the engine rpm to increase if it is leaking.
If anyone doesn't know spraying ether (starter fluid) at a suspected vacuum leak will cause the engine rpm to increase if it is leaking.
