Home page
SPONSOR AD SPONSOR AD

Topic: Headlights again

in Forum: C3 Electrical


Headlights again

Posted: 12/8/05 3:07pm Message 1 of 22
Former Member
Send PM
Davie, FL - USA
Joined: 2/29/2004
Posts: 173
Vette(s): 1980 l48
Since I have owned this car there ahve been several issues with the headlights. Most of the hoses and the relays have been replaced. They go up and down just fine and stay where they are supposed to. Now I have a miss whenever the headlights are up and on. My first thought was that I had a bad actuator, so I disconnected everything and plugged the hoses with the lights up. Miss was stiil present and the headlights stayed up for a week no problem. Anyone got an idea where to look next?


Mike
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)

Headlights again

Posted: 12/8/05 7:25pm Message 2 of 22
Former Member
Send PM
Tecumseh, MI - USA
Joined: 9/14/2003
Posts: 221
Vette(s): 1980 all org. with 18000 act. miles dk claret with matching interior..Eagle alloys ..loaded..excellent cond.
Do you still have a miss when the headlights are off? Sounds like a vaccume leak. Have you checked the over-ride switch under the steering column?


Headlights again

Posted: 12/8/05 8:13pm Message 3 of 22
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Moderator
Send PM
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Leak at the headlight switch?


Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Headlights again

Posted: 12/9/05 2:50pm Message 4 of 22
Former Member
Send PM
Davie, FL - USA
Joined: 2/29/2004
Posts: 173
Vette(s): 1980 l48
I look at both of these this weekend. Anyway to pressure test these switches? Thanks


Mike

Headlights again

Posted: 12/9/05 3:46pm Message 5 of 22
Former Member
Send PM
KERNERSVILLE, NC - USA
Joined: 1/13/2004
Posts: 1355
Vette(s): 1968 L-71 convertible
Maybe a leak in the reservoir?????????? Check valve will hold the lights up once they are in position, right?


Headlights again

Posted: 12/9/05 7:50pm Message 6 of 22
Former Member
Send PM
Tecumseh, MI - USA
Joined: 9/14/2003
Posts: 221
Vette(s): 1980 all org. with 18000 act. miles dk claret with matching interior..Eagle alloys ..loaded..excellent cond.

 It's called a headlamp service valve (Ecklers part #A2759). By pulling down on the stem allows you to open the headlight buckets and keep them up when the engine is shut off. They are made of plastic and over time,can develope a crack. It is vaccum operated.




Headlights again

Posted: 12/10/05 7:22am Message 7 of 22
Former Member
Send PM
Davie, FL - USA
Joined: 2/29/2004
Posts: 173
Vette(s): 1980 l48
Thanks I will have another look at all of these. These Headlights is makin me nuts.


Mike

Headlights again

Posted: 12/12/05 10:00am Message 8 of 22
Standard Member
Send PM
Pasadena, MD - USA
Joined: 6/16/2004
Posts: 311
Vette(s): 72 Coupe L48 4 sp Air Tilt Leather

Connect a vacuum gauge to the system just after the port from the intake. Measure, it should be 18 - 20 inches. If not, pinch off the vacuum lines suspect for leaking.....the vacuum will come back up and the miss will go away. Cylinders 6 & 8 get leaned out and she'll miss a little bit making it rough idle. A good diagram of the crazy vacuum system is very helpful and it'll make sense as you move along.

You'll go nuts just ripping pieces apart trying to find problems. The visual indications on you gauge will lead you down a path much easier to find the leak. It can be anything......I gave up and replaced most everything because "everything " leaked just a little bit causing a "big" leak and a miss. The biggest leak was the vacuum switches for the wiper door and the two seperate switches for the headlights on my 72. Even the replacements leaked - I sent one back for warranty replacement.....

Bruce




Bruce
72 Coupe L48 4sp
Custom Blue/Silver/Pearl

(Click for a larger pic)

Headlights again

Posted: 12/12/05 4:19pm Message 9 of 22
Former Member
Send PM
Davie, FL - USA
Joined: 2/29/2004
Posts: 173
Vette(s): 1980 l48
Thanks Bruce , I'll try that guage idea. I was using it at the juncture of each of the parts but I never thought about putting it in line and pinching off the offenders.


Mike

Headlights again

Posted: 12/17/05 6:07pm Message 10 of 22
Standard Member
Send PM
Pasadena, MD - USA
Joined: 6/16/2004
Posts: 311
Vette(s): 72 Coupe L48 4 sp Air Tilt Leather

Your welcome Mike - just take your time and it will become apparent where the leak is eventually. I still think I've got a leak under the dash someplace, most of these parts were difficult to get at and I just hoped they were good enough for the time being....I still have the wiper door open each time I start the car after sitting a few days. It closes right up, but it is annoying and it did not do this before I used the repo parts.

Bruce




Bruce
72 Coupe L48 4sp
Custom Blue/Silver/Pearl

(Click for a larger pic)

in Forum: C3 Electrical


SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)