What's the trick to open the headlights without starting the motor?

Thanks, in advance,

 

If you have a C3 there is a black **** under the steering column or if you reach up under the headlight from the outside you will feel the lever to open them. Usually only get one or two shots at it.

 

You still have to have vacuum left from prior runs for the **** to work. If it's been a while, you may not have enuf vacuum to open them. In that case, you'll need something like a Mighty Vac pump.

I never knew that. I have a 73. Can you locate the lever for me?

 

On my '69 all I do is put my hand inside the opening below the headlights and push them up. They'll rise all the way to the locked in position. To bring them down I reach up under there and pull on the springs. That'll take them out of the locked in position and they'll come all the way down. The owner's manual suggests that you take it to the dealer if they won't rise through the system but I think that's just a way to get you to spend money. I've been doing this with the headlights for a long time and I've never had a problem.

 

That's the same method I use on my '80 C3. Took a bit to figure it out, but itworks just fine.

 

Thanks guys. I read about the hassle of replacing the vacuum lines and was told that if they don't open after the car has been sitting a while, there's a leak. I'll look for the **** and lever on the next one I see.

wat, I saw the **** (stem?) on a '77 yesterday, does it turn or pull/push? Thanks again for helping a 'vette noob

 

Try checking out this website and it will direct you through the process of troubleshooting your system. Excellent info for anyone!!! http://www.corvette-101.com/vacuum.htm I was able to correct mine with ease!!!! Good Luck!
Mike

 

In answer to your question about the switch it is a push/pull type.

 

Excellent info. Thanks, everyone.

 

[align=left]I'm sure you've already found it by now... but just in case... on my '73 its just to the left of the steering column on the bottom of the dash. Pull the **** straight down and the lights stay up. Great way to clean the lights... obviously GM was thinking... I found mine by accident. I somehow managed to pull it when I was cleaning... the next time I used the lights... they would'nt go back down. Went back out later... lights went down overnight. This cycle lasted about 4 days until I found that **** when I was cleaning again and accidentally pushed it back in. About 2 weeks later I was telling a friend about my "headlight problem"... after he finished laughing and mopped the tears from his eyes he showed me that ****. He still laughs about it to this day.
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