So I am having issues with the headlights not opening up after pulling the switch. If I get out and tug on the passenger side lamp it pops right up and a few seconds the driver side will raise up. I mentioned this to my mechanic and he says its not a vacuum issue otherwise they would not raise after I tug on it. I was giong to start with the vacuum lines but if this is true then where do I start.  I will turn on the light switch and drive around for 20 minutes and nothing ever happens. Once in a blue moon  the drivers side will come up but  very rare and it will not bring up the passenger side.

Any ideas where to start?

Babyblue78

What about the pull down switch under the dash?

Could it be low vacuum?  Maybe starting the headlight up gets it past the hard part of the cycle.  Just a thought. . .

Maybe a vacuum relay.

I had a similar issue

Driverside Popped right up but the passenger side was very lazy 

ended up being the actuator seal was split. Could not see the issue until after I removed it from the car and pulled the bellows off the shaft.

Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Pull down switch is working fine. If open and pull down they stay out. Pushing in the knob they go down immediately.

Ok I had replaced the seals and should be good but will try but then how is it able to pop up if seals are torn?

Thanks for the info will check it out.

Yes I will start with the vacuum and I think last year when I fooled with it it was good. But will review all sugestions, that is why I did not think the mechanic was correct saying if it pops up on your tug its got enough vacuum, I know there is a pretty good spring inside and not sure if this is some issue also.

Thanks

Not sure if is called an actuator switch but there is a diaphragm under the nose right in front of the hood that controls the headlight vacuum as well.  I had the same problem on 1980 and after considerable inspection I switched the hoses on that diaphragm to see if the drivers side would be lazy instead. And sure enough it was. I replaced all the hoses and put a new diaphragm on it and it worked  much better though still a little slower on the right. Even the clamps were in bad shape as original.  I finally went to electric actuators with a conversion kit but mine is totally restomoded so only the windshield wipers runs on vaccum untill I can find a fix for that to. Also check your grommets in the sides of your light buckets they also deteriorate and can fall out causing the buck to bind ou while trying to open. Good luck.

Will the pull down switch "open" the headlights? 

When I went through the car many years ago, I replaced all the vacuum lines, a big job BTW, actuators and vacuum switches for good measure. The stuff is over 50 years old and not much can be expected from these parts. 

So, looking at the buckets, all the small pieces, springs, rods, plastic bushings,  etc were corroded to the point of questioning if they were the slow problem.  Tried some oil, but no joy..... I guess the vacuum actuators can only move so much resistance, then you end up with a problem. 

Cleaned and replaced all the pieces in there, I think there is a kit, badda bing badda boom, they work like new now. Jump right up!

Take a close look in there, maybe a lot of small leaks and corrosion is enough to make it fail. 

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

(Click for a larger pic)

Sorry for the delay was working on replacing the power steering as it was leaking real bad. I will review all answers some I have tried but its been a while. i will start giong through everything and see what developes. So if the light switch is on and I use the pull down switch it will not open them. If I open them light switch on and then move pull down switch they will stay up when the car is turned off. Likewise if the lights are up and I push the pull down they close right away. I had replaced several parts but then when I look how many years ago it was then I realize I need to review it all again.  Thanks for all the tips.

babyblue 78

Still haven't answered my question.  The pull down switch is so you can open the headlights to wash them or replace a bulb with out turning them on.  So...will the pull down switch open the headlights?  Obviously you need some vacuum so with the engine running, will they open the headlights.

If not, then you have a vacuum leak or they are "wired" (hoses) wrong.

That is correct, sorry. My understanding the same but different. If you needed to change a bulb or wash them , you would open them the normal way with the light switch and then once open turn off the lights and shut off the engine and the pull down switch would allow them to stay open for wash or repair.  So to answer your question they will not open the lights with the engine running and light switch off.  My guess is a vacuum leak. Thanks

Babyblue78