C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

87 headlight problem

Old Jul 26, 2007 | 10:34 PM
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Default 87 headlight problem

My 87 only has down option. I can manually turn them up with the override and then when I plug my harness back in, it takes them down no problem. But when I pull my headlight switch inside, they won't go up on their own. Where do I need to start to trace this problem???? Any pics would be appreciated.
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Old Jul 26, 2007 | 10:50 PM
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I would check the 3 relays located in the driver side headlight well. They should be covered with a black plastic cover. A FSM will help troubleshoot the problem. It could also be the light switch itself. Only one way to find out....FSM.

I'll get you started. The 87 headlight system is the same as my 86. Hope it helps and good luck.





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Old Jul 26, 2007 | 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted by fearless
My 87 only has down option. I can manually turn them up with the override and then when I plug my harness back in, it takes them down no problem. But when I pull my headlight switch inside, they won't go up on their own. Where do I need to start to trace this problem???? Any pics would be appreciated.
When both headlight buckets are closed and you pull the head light switch to the Head position, even though both headlight buckets don't open, do the headlight filaments come on?

If the headlight filaments don't come on the headlight switch is bad or there is a bad connection at the headlight switch.

Last edited by Hooked on Vettes; Jul 26, 2007 at 11:40 PM.
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Old Jul 26, 2007 | 11:35 PM
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Another vote for a bad relay. You can try switching them around.
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Old Jul 27, 2007 | 12:38 AM
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yes, when they are closed, I can pull the switch and the lights come on, but don't flip, just light up the engine
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Old Jul 27, 2007 | 06:46 AM
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From the info you posted, it appears the headlight switch is good.

Here's the schematic for the headlight doors posted by Agent 86.

You can see there are 3 relays.

The LH and RH door relays are the same and can be swapped.
The other relay is the Isolation relay and is only used to close the RH headlight door.

You can identify each relay by the color of the wires at each relay socket.

The 12 volts needed by the headlight door motors to open the headlight buckets comes from two fusible links shown in the top left corner of the schematic.

The two fusible links are hot at all times. You need to verify with a test light or volt meter that 12 volts is getting to each relay socket for the LH and RH motors via the Red wires.

http://members.shaw.ca/dankai/Headlight%20Doors.pdf
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