Posessed headlights update...if interested

**Tom B.** · September 17, 2000, 05:03 PM

Re: Posessed headlights update...if interested

Bob,

You very well may have to tear into the dash. Wait for your troubleshooting guide and if you have to open up your dash then I would strongly recommend that you have an AIM for your year. There are at least one or two AIM pages that will show the correct routing and connections for the vacuum lines behind your dash. The troubleshooting I had to do to get my wiper door to operate correctly involved (partially) the mis-connections and guess-work of a previous owner. TBarr #24014

**BLT-71** · September 17, 2000, 05:03 PM

Re: Posessed headlights update...if interested

I had a very similar situation with my 71. It turned out to be the control diverter valve in the engine bay on the passenger side. I tested it by by-passing the vacuum and found the wiper door work fine and it improved the headlights because of the shared vacuum source, all work fine now. Hope this can help because vacuum actuated everything is a pain to track and fix.

**Patrick H.** · September 17, 2000, 05:03 PM

Re: Posessed headlights random thoughts

Bob,

In addition, I would HIGHLY suggest obtaining the vacuum guides available from Dr. Rebuild as well as the MidAmerica/sold by NCRS version. They ARE different, and complimentary. Some things are explained much easier in one than another.

Did you check the seals at the lights, the little accordion ones? Also the similar seals around the rod at the back of the wiper door vacuum canister? Just thoughts.... These have both failed and/or pulled loose on my 71, causing poor response.

The Dr.Rebuild guide is nice in that it tells you how to test each part individually, rather than checking vacuum drop, as the MA/NCRS guide describes.

Personally, and only my thoughts, I find that the parts in the engine compartment that are exposed to heat/cold/etc. fail much faster than those behind the dash. That may be the only saving grace of the whole system, as the dash parts are difficult to access (and understatement).

Patrick Hulst

**Bob Booth** · September 17, 2000, 05:04 PM

Re: Posessed headlights random thoughts

Thanks for the response guys. I believe that the h.l. vac. canisters are o.k. because we hooked them up direct and they worked well. They also hold vac., so I assume they're good. Hey BLT-71, if what you are referring to as the diverter valve is a.k.a. the relay, I tried it. If not, I didn't. I've never heard of a diverter valve (doesn't mean it ain't there!). What is it?

Patrick, where is the Dr. Rebuild guide available from (didn't know there was more than one avail.!) The one I ordered is a ten page deal from a guy in Va., I think. (seemed kinda short to me but, hey, who likes big fat instruction booklets!?)

Thanks again, Bob Booth

**Jack H.** · September 17, 2000, 05:04 PM

Re: Posessed headlights update...if interested

I definitely agree with checking things out under the dash! You wouldn't have the first car where previous owner's used the BIG HAMMER technique of removing instrument cluster instead of buying and reading the Chassis Service Manual for step-by-step R&R.

Vac lines route into the cabin (both servo and control) and 'wander' about. Control lines to headlight switch were originally tape wrapped (see AIM) to insure positive connection. During instrument cluster R&R, you have to wiggle cluster out a tad, reach into opening above speedo/tach to undo the main electrical wiring harness clip.

Getting there (and back) without accidentally knocking a vac line off the headlight switch nipple(s) is FUN! Soooo, don't forget to check out the 'in-car' vac lines, vac relays, vac motors while you're doing the 'nasty'....

**Jack H.** · September 17, 2000, 05:04 PM

Re: Posessed headlights random thoughts

Available from Dr. Rebuild's parts catalog. If you don't have one of these in your 'stable' of library catalogs, you need one. They specialize in 'rubber thingies' and are now one of the few full spectrum Corvette parts houses.

**Bob Booth** · September 17, 2000, 05:04 PM

Yeah, but where.........

do I find the catalog itself?

Thanks, Bob

**Bob Booth** · September 17, 2000, 05:04 PM

Re: Posessed headlights update...if interested

Jack, thanks for the tips and warnings....oh boy! I can't wait!

Bob Booth

**Marty** · September 17, 2000, 05:04 PM

Re: Yeah, but where.........

Dr. Rebuild (Jeff Coenen) is at PO Box 6263, Bridgeport, CT (203) 366-1332 10AM to *PM EST

**Bob Booth** · September 17, 2000, 05:04 PM

Thanks Marty.....

....for the info. I appreciate it. I'll check it out.

Regards,

Bob Booth

**Patrick H.** · September 17, 2000, 05:06 PM

Recommendations

Bob,

Your best bet is to write a check out for $4 and send it to them to get the catalog. Better yet, find a fellow club member with a catalog already, and order their vacuum guide, plus a few more parts for the $20 minimum, and get the catalog for free.

When you do send in an order, fax it in. Trust us on this one...

Patrick Hulst

**Jack H.** · September 17, 2000, 05:06 PM

CONTROL YOURSELF!

Don't get too over-eager. This is at least a one 6-pack/one pizza job going step by step and whistling while you work. Plus, do NOT fall into the 'digital mindset' trap. By this, I mean when you find a 'problem' don't stop there thinking you've got 'er licked....

Fix what you find, then continue along the rest of the way checking system components upstream and downstream. Once you find and slay ALL the dragons, she's ready for another 20-30 years. But, if you stop short, it's easy to get into a hair pulling frustrated rage.

Plus, you'll be surprised at how often it's a simple this/that that can be fixed without tossing $$$ at the job in replacement parts. Knowledge is power -- over and out....

Posessed headlights update...if interested

Posessed headlights update...if interested

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