Topic: Headlight question
in Forum: C3 Body
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How does one go about manually putting the headlights down on a 77? Or for that matter, how does one manually put them up?


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Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
how manually are you talking..
I assume since you asked about putting them down that you have a bad actuator relay.
if you have a bad vacuum actuator relay and you just need to get by until the part arrives..
take a hose coupler (male to male) and bypass the offending relay by connecting the large center hose with the top or bottom depending on whether you want it open of closed. you also should plug the smaller control line. what usually happens is the valve leaks and isnt able to pull the piston up to switch the vacuum ports.
you need vacuum to change state, but if you have one of these fail it isnt able to pull the valve up (which keeps the light down) and therefore the valve stays in the down position which raises the lights.
I had this problem with my wiper door relay.. everytime it rained i had to pull over and change the vacuum lines to open the door.
this disables the switch... but it will keeps your lights up or down depending on which you needs.
if you have a vacuum problem and need to do it "manually", i dont know.. i never tried.. and my current money pit doesnt have pop up lights.
I assume since you asked about putting them down that you have a bad actuator relay.
if you have a bad vacuum actuator relay and you just need to get by until the part arrives..
take a hose coupler (male to male) and bypass the offending relay by connecting the large center hose with the top or bottom depending on whether you want it open of closed. you also should plug the smaller control line. what usually happens is the valve leaks and isnt able to pull the piston up to switch the vacuum ports.
you need vacuum to change state, but if you have one of these fail it isnt able to pull the valve up (which keeps the light down) and therefore the valve stays in the down position which raises the lights.
I had this problem with my wiper door relay.. everytime it rained i had to pull over and change the vacuum lines to open the door.
this disables the switch... but it will keeps your lights up or down depending on which you needs.
if you have a vacuum problem and need to do it "manually", i dont know.. i never tried.. and my current money pit doesnt have pop up lights.
I was able to manually position mine by getting to the linkage from underneath before the valence panel was installed. I don't think you will be able to do it with the panel in place. There were no vacuum lines installed at that time, you probably should remove the lines from each actuator before attempting this. Another way you could try is connecting a hand vacuum pump to each "up" port on the actuators and apply vacuum to raise them one at a time.
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Welch, MN - USA
Joined: 7/18/2003
Posts: 201
Vette(s): 1974 Black 454 Stingray coupe, turbo 400 tranny, barry grant 750 carb, hooker super competition headers, moves along!
you should be able to get at the linkage as long as you have the hood open. I was able to open, push up from the bottom of the light, and close, pull on the lever assembly that holds the light up. Hope this works
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Thanks guys, once I get this thing wired up the headlights are my next project.
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you can slide under the front of the car and gently push on the linkage this will close the lights. I acheived this miracle several times for people last year at CRIIS'N THE COAST.


Annicorvette
Lifetime member # 35
I had opening and closing problems which turned out to be bad actuators. Until they were replaced, I got really good at putting the headlights up and down manually - hood closed - grills in place - etc.
Not sure if you still need the help, but I have a diagram that shows what to push to open and pull to close. Let me know if you need it.
Not sure if you still need the help, but I have a diagram that shows what to push to open and pull to close. Let me know if you need it.
in Forum: C3 Body
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