C3 '79 L82 High Beam Headlights

[Brian Pfister]

I recently purchased a '79 L82 that needs a little TLC. It's about a 3 year old restoration which was done on a low budget. Overall it's a nice car for my first Corvette. My wife calls it my ""third"" mid-life crisis, but I remind her it's a car and not another woman!

My problem is the High beam headlights (I assume the high beam is the two inner lights) won't work. I have changed the lamps, checked the wiring and cleaned all connections with no luck.
When I turn in the brights, the low beams also go out..is this normal?
Is there a relay I need to check, or would I need to replace the turn signal/bright lights switch?
Also, when I turn on the lights the left assembly opens first, then about 5-10 seconds later the right assembly opens. I realize the lights works on a vacuum and needs time to create the proper pressure, but is there something I can do to speed this up?
All comments and help is greatly appreciated!

[Jim T.]

Re: C3 '79 L82 High Beam Headlights

Brian I can remember when my 70 was new I could raise the headlamps the next day after driving the car with vacuum control switch under the steering column. Today it will not happen. It will not do it immediately after shutting off the car, but with the car running, everything works. It still has all the original vacuum relays, vacuum tank, and vacuum actuaters. Over the years these parts will loose their ability to perform like new. Replacement of the vacuum relay and headlight actuaters with new parts might solve your problem. There are also parts available to repair the vacuum actuater external seal from Dr. Rebuild. I believe you have only one vacuum relay between your two headlights, my 70 and 68 has two.
Mayby someone else can elobrate on the headlamp illumination problem. I have never had any problems to trouble shoot.