Head light door will not open?

[Tim80]

The headlight door on my '80 L48 will not open. If i open it manually it will shut when I turn the lights off. It will not open when the lights are turned on however. Any ideas? How do I fix it?

Thanks,
Tim

 

[GerryLP]

Tim,

Check the head light switch to see if one of the hoses is disconnected or split open; however, I believe that you should be hearing a light "hiss" sound.

Also, you can use the override switch just sticking out from the bottom of the lower dash panel on the driver side (above and between your legs around the shins area on the driver side). This will keep the lights up and out of their stowed-away position until you can figure what is wrong.

 

[Cream79L82]

GerryLP,


Is this override switch you're talking about a black rubber thing that moves vertically up and down? I have an aftermarket toggle switch for an alarm on my vette down there right under the steering column on the level, and that black thing is right next to it. I've never figured out what it was for. I've messed with it with the car on, off, idling and at speed. I've got the '79 L-82. Thanks regardless..

-Jon

 

[Tim80]

When I pull the headlight over ride switch only one light will open. Any clues as to what is going on?

Tim

 

[silver 80]

does it come up fast or slow?

 

[DDLS3]

Tim,

A couple of very likely problems that could cause this are; 1. split or disconnected vacuum line to that actuator or 2. badley worn boots and seals on the actuator shaft. There are repair kits avaiailable for the seals and boots, but it will take some looking to inspect the various vacuum lines form the light switch to the acuator area.

Jon,

The overide switch is directly beneath the steering colume. Turn on your lights with the engine running and allow your lights to come up. Pull down on the overide switch, then turn off your lights. The headlights should remain up but not illuminated, and will remain there until you push the overide switch back in.

 

[GerryLP]

Jon,

It should be pretty much as in a 1981 model. It works just like DDL said.

Tim,

I don't have a headlight vaccum connection diagram. Maybe someone else can contribute information for you on this....sorry

 

[Cream79L82]

Alright thanks guys. I'll try that tomorrow to see if mine's functioning properly. Funny how much there is to know about these cars, and how much more we're always wanting to know.


-Jon

 

[BORDERBUM]

tim80,

let me know what your problem was, because i have the exact same deal you do on my 77. lights wont go up, but when i manually raise them and turn the lights off they do go down. very interested in your outcome.

git r done borderbum

 

[intex99]

Howdy Guys,
I had the same problem with my 81!I would have to manually push them up to open position but they would lower themselves.I posted here a few months back and someone sent me a page on the vacumn charts.I pulled the actuators and put in new seals(took about 1 hr max) and they both work great now with no problems at all.
I wish I could remember when it was posted but was within the last couple months.

 

[intex99]

http://www.l81vetteregistry.com/tech/index.html

Heah guys I found the link that I think will help you out if you haven't already got them working!!

 

[douglite]

headlights

Hayes has A excellent Manual for Corvetts. You can buy one at most auto parts store. Ther is a section on trobleshooting headlights. They show you step by step with pictures. Mine would not work at all. I found the filter was plugged now they work fine

douglite

 

[corvgreg]

I'm pretty certain it's the actuator seal. Had the same problem and this fixed it.

Greg

 

[Eddie 70]

I am going to be doing the same thing to mine here in the next few weeks. Mine were working fine, until one of my the guys in my club pulled the headlight up to see if I still had the original headlight buckets. Since then the passenger light will not come up. I am gonna put new seals in after Corvette Expo.