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Right head light will not go down??????

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Old 01-30-2003, 01:14 PM
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Michael Tucker
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Default Right head light will not go down??????

how can i get it to go down? how does this system work? i might just order a new hose kit.
thanks,
mike
Old 01-30-2003, 01:52 PM
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74FLCONV
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Default Re: Right head light will not go down?????? (Michael Tucker)

My right headlight housing "hangs up" when I turn the lights off. If I turn the car off before it goes down...it stays open. If I leave the car running for a few more seconds, the light eventually drops. I believe this would mean a vacuum problem.

There are several "headlight vacuum repair kits" available in the catalogs, but changing the hoses first may be the least expensive remedy.

D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
Old 01-30-2003, 02:38 PM
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Michael Tucker
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Default Re: Right head light will not go down?????? (74FLCONV)

thanks 74,
i think what i am looking for is how does it work ie vacuum make it go up or down or both and is there a way i can make it go down i drove the car 16 miles and it did not go down. if i could get it down so i could drive it in the daylight it would be nice til the kit comes in
mike
Old 01-30-2003, 03:34 PM
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sb69coupe
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Default Re: Right head light will not go down?????? (Michael Tucker)

You can drop it manually by reaching up through the hold under the grill and pulling the elbow linkage forward. Remove the vacuum hoses from the actualtor, then press down on the headlight door to lower it.

Shannon

PS - I was a big fan when you were with the Braves :D
Old 01-30-2003, 03:44 PM
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Blue68
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Default Re: Right head light will not go down?????? (Michael Tucker)

Usually the problem is not in the vacuum hoses with those headlights, but rather in the vacuum motor that operates it. Especially if only one doesn't go down. There are kits to rebuild the vacumm motors in the Corvette catalogs.

wayne h.
Old 01-30-2003, 05:51 PM
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jerryp58
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Default Re: Right head light will not go down?????? (Michael Tucker)

The headlights do indeed work on a vacuum system, but can be opened and closed manually as stated.

With only one headlight not going down, you should be able to rule out several problems that would affect both lights (e.g., the headlight or over-ride switch).

There are many sites out there with headlight information (operation & repair).

Here are some links...

http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2002...s/lights-1.asp
http://www.stingray.nu/bilder/vacuum.pdf
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2002...acuum/vac1.ASP

The headlight system can seem a little intimidating, but it is doable.

Hope this helps.
Old 01-30-2003, 08:44 PM
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PRNDL
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Default Re: Right head light will not go down?????? (sb69coupe)

You can drop it manually by reaching up through the hold under the grill and pulling the elbow linkage forward. Remove the vacuum hoses from the actualtor, then press down on the headlight door to lower it.

Shannon

PS - I was a big fan when you were with the Braves :D

Like Shannon said.... It's sort of like your leg when you stand straight up with your knees locked. You have to reach behind your knee and push it forward so your legs will bend at the knee. :lol: And you are allowed to drive during the day with one headlight up..... It looks stupid, but it is legal! :) MJ
Old 01-31-2003, 12:31 AM
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Michael Tucker
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Default Re: Right head light will not go down?????? (sb69coupe)

Shannonthanks for the info but as luck would have it it went down as i started the car after work. i just looked at zip and they have the kit on sell so i think i will order it and do everything to make them new

Mike

shannon your the first person to mention the Braves
Old 01-31-2003, 12:44 AM
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Crash Dummy
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Default Re: Right head light will not go down?????? (Blue68)

Usually the problem is not in the vacuum hoses with those headlights, but rather in the vacuum motor that operates it. Especially if only one doesn't go down. There are kits to rebuild the vacumm motors in the Corvette catalogs.

wayne h.
Wayne....

It's actually the vacuum actuators that are usually the problem aren't they? I had both replaced and the headlights *flew* before I took this car apart. By the way... have not seen your vette in Pearland. Is it in parts too? :lol: :lol:
Old 01-31-2003, 01:19 AM
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Shark Racer
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Default Re: Right head light will not go down?????? (Michael Tucker)

Each headlight actuator has a relay.

The hose at the front-bottom of the actuator opens the headlights. It goes to the bottom(I believe) of the relay.

The hose on the back of the actuator (in the area between nose and radiator) closes the headlights and goes to the top of the corresponding relay.

The yellow hose in the middle of the relay goes to the air tank.

I could have the relay order mixed up, but trace the hoses to the relay and you'll figure out the right order. Also, your vacuum hoses may not have visible color on them anymore, or could have been replaced with wrong-colored or non-colored hose, so the color part may not apply anymore. I believe all vac hoses described are 9/32".

Just from fixing these, you may find that the problem with lights going up and down after engine shuts off will go away. After fixing a leaky front actuator seal, I can shut(or raise) the headlights once after the engine is off. A fully functioning system may let you do this once or twice before giving up the ghost... maybe more. Does a fully functioning system exist? Mine leaks like hell when the engine's off. :)

-Steve
Old 01-31-2003, 01:43 AM
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Michael Tucker
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Default Re: Right head light will not go down?????? (Pacin'California)

thanks steve and everybody else this helps a lot
mike

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