C3 headlights stuck open

[CHEV66JB]

OK guys,

I know this is a fairly common problem w/these cars, but I'll ask anyway.. My dad's '76 currently has the headlights stuck open (up)- This hasn't been a problem up until now. What needs to be done to get them down?

Also, there is a switch inside the car under the steering column which is supposed to allow you to leave the lights up through the winter. Is this switch supposed to be pushed "in" for regular use of the lights, or pulled "out/down" from the dash for regular use?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Vette-4-Life]

OK guys,

Also, there is a switch inside the car under the steering column which is supposed to allow you to leave the lights up through the winter. Is this switch supposed to be pushed "in" for regular use of the lights, or pulled "out/down" from the dash for regular use?

Thanks,

Jim

On my 80 the bypass switch under the dash is up for normal, pulling down will pop the headlights.

 

[76texvette]

The switch is suppose to be "in" for normal use....pull "out/down" for the lights to stay "up/open".

 

[wishuwerehere82]

OK guys,

I know this is a fairly common problem w/these cars, but I'll ask anyway.. My dad's '76 currently has the headlights stuck open (up)- This hasn't been a problem up until now. What needs to be done to get them down?

Also, there is a switch inside the car under the steering column which is supposed to allow you to leave the lights up through the winter. Is this switch supposed to be pushed "in" for regular use of the lights, or pulled "out/down" from the dash for regular use?


Thanks,

Jim

The vacuum switch pulls out to open and in to close. The same with the headlight switch. You are probably having a problem with the light switch or the vacuum system to close the headlights. There are two little disk shaped check valves in the engine compartment that allow vacuum to accumulate in the system to provide vacuum to open/close
the headlights. The Vacuum lines for the check valves come off the intake manifold and go to the vacuum accumulator, then into the dashboard to the headlight switch. From there, the lines go out to the front of the car to the vacuum actuators that open and close the headlights. If you have a broken vacuum line or fitting on one of the valves in the lines that close the headlights, the lights will open, but not close.

Pete.