79 Head Lights

[mwp50]

I could use some help with the head lights on my 79. They come on but will not lift up. If I pull them up by hand they stay up. If it turn of the switch they stay up until I start the car the next time. Then they go down. Where do I start.:confused

 

[duke94]

The engine is running right? Has to be a vacuum leak or bad relay valve.

 

[petes74ttop]

Would this help? PG.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

If they go down when you start the engine, you know vacuum is getting to the relays and to the actuator diaphragms. So I'm betting it is a bad headlight switch where the valve is not opening when you pull the stem out.
Have you tried the bypass valve under the steering column? You know about that, right? It basically does the same thing as the valve in the headlight switch, but without the lights coming on. Pull the little knob straight down, and the headlights should pop up.
If it works, then it's the headlight switch.

P.S. Welcome to the Corvette Action Center!

 

[mwp50]

The engine is running right? Has to be a vacuum leak or bad relay valve.

Yes the engine is running. I don't thik it is a vauum leak. I have traced down the whole sytem and evey thin loogks good.

 

[mwp50]

If they go down when you start the engine, you know vacuum is getting to the relays and to the actuator diaphragms. So I'm betting it is a bad headlight switch where the valve is not opening when you pull the stem out.
Have you tried the bypass valve under the steering column? You know about that, right? It basically does the same thing as the valve in the headlight switch, but without the lights coming on. Pull the little knob straight down, and the headlights should pop up.
If it works, then it's the headlight switch.

P.S. Welcome to the Corvette Action Center!

That must be the litle red knob under the column. I will try it thanks. I am very familar with Chevys but this is my first Vette.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

That must be the litle red knob under the column. I will try it thanks. I am very familar with Chevys but this is my first Vette.

It's just a little stem you pull out. About 1/4" in diameter. Mine's black.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

. Where do I start.:confused

One of the forward seals on the actuators has probably split. Very common problem.

 

[mwp50]

It's just a little stem you pull out. About 1/4" in diameter. Mine's black.

Ok when I pull the bypass stem out, one headlight goes up and the other starts to go up but then goes back down. So I think I have an issue with the switch as well as one of the actuators. thanks for the help I think I am geting clse to solvin the problem.

 

[6880 Mike]

...one headlight goes up and the other starts to go up but then goes back down. So I think I have an issue with the switch as well as one of the actuators....

Check the relay first. They tend to fail more often than actuators.