One eyed (headlight) C3 down under

[John G.]

Turned off headlights after a run only to have one light stay up searched archives and have read lots about vac leaks in system, valves filters etc I think my problem is with the actuator cannot (will not) force it to close but feel the rod may have come too far out causing the light to be locked open can the actuator be pulled apart?any other ideas would be helpful
thanks john

[Stewart A.]

Re: One eyed (headlight) C3 down under

Sorry John can't help with the car !! Mine are alot older C1 's. just a quick hello what part of Victoria you from I'm from Williamstown. Good to see a few Aussies on here while the Americans are sleeping.
Stewart Allison.

[Tom R.]

Re: One eyed (headlight) C3 down under

Turned off headlights after a run only to have one light stay up searched archives and have read lots about vac leaks in system, valves filters etc I think my problem is with the actuator cannot (will not) force it to close but feel the rod may have come too far out causing the light to be locked open can the actuator be pulled apart?any other ideas would be helpful
thanks john

John

YOu can pick up an actuator rebuild kit and we have members who rebuild the units. I'm sure the canister can be separated but not sure what tools are required. We have members (see Driveline) who rebuild the actuators and I assume they've got the tooling. You may wish to track them down and ask the question.

A vacuum gauge is helpful in troubleshooting your system and isolating leaks...a good investment for any C3 owner.

[Oliver B.]

Re: One eyed (headlight) C3 down under

You might try just pushing it back in place (breaking it loose again). Worked well, when I once had this "problem"... But don't blame me for any damage...

[John G.]

Re: One eyed (headlight) C3 down under

Hi Stewart, business Caulfield Jag Service Ormond drop in sometime, actually sitting here in between dyno running in of Jag sprinter as usual last minute late into friday night oh well! Oliver definately no blame but will gently try to free up Tom have already ordered the vac trouble shoot book and will get the unit out into the workshop and see what we can do here
thanks all john

[Harmon C.]

Re: One eyed (headlight) C3 down under

Turned off headlights after a run only to have one light stay up searched archives and have read lots about vac leaks in system, valves filters etc I think my problem is with the actuator cannot (will not) force it to close but feel the rod may have come too far out causing the light to be locked open can the actuator be pulled apart?any other ideas would be helpful
thanks john

John
When the headlight is in the up position you can not just push it down.
From under the car you need to pull down on the linkage so the over center lock is broken and the light should go down manually with very little effort.

[Jim T.]

Re: One eyed (headlight) C3 down under

Like Lyle says, you can pull down the lighlight very easily if you put your finger or for some more than one finger on the "elbow joint", however only do this when the engine is off and you know there is no vacuum in the storage tank. Without vacuum on the headlights or in the system a person should be able to easily raise and lower the vacuum controlled headlights.

[Terry M.]

Re: One eyed (headlight) C3 down under

FWIW The 1970 (and I assume other early C3) Owner's Manual contains information -- with pictures for those more visually oriented -- of how to raise and lower the headlamps and the wiper door without vacuum. You know, like, if the system failed when one is driving in the rain -- not that any of us ever would, but when the cars were new some might have.

When all else fails -- read the directions.

This is applicable to a couple of threads here this morning.

[Jack H.]

Re: One eyed (headlight) C3 down under

One 'gotcha' to beware of... When reaching up from below through the 'nostrils' in the nose of the car, it's dark up inside there. You don't want to grab and pull down on the center of the actuating arm and catch fingers in the process as has been said.

But, one distant end of the hinged actuating arm that looks like a good place to grab and pull from houses the headlight warning microswitch. If you accidentally grab and pull on the microswitch itself, the odds are GOOD its aged plastic housing will break!!! So, keep your hands away from that point too.

[Harmon C.]

Re: One eyed (headlight) C3 down under

Jack is right about that switch being easy to break. I also see the headlamps being opened and closed by hand during judging. My owners manual states this will damage the system unless hoses are removed. So if you plan a PV after flight judging when the exterior judges want to see the hedlight seal beams pull some hoses off. It could help the system hold it's vacuum for the PV test.

[Jack H.]

Re: One eyed (headlight) C3 down under

The issue of damaging the HL actuator by manually opening/closing the HL door is a 'bit' over-played.... The danger increases with the age of the actuators and their internal diapharm condition AND with how you go about manually cycling the HL door.

What you do NOT want to do is manually raise/lower a HL door FAST. Let it open/close at its own chosen speed. PLUS, avoid doing this when the engine is running or the vac reservoir is fully charged--then you're 'fighting' stored vac in the system and making it harder on the actuator diaphram.

That's where the suggestion of pulling the vac tubes connected to the actuator before manually opening/closing a given HL door pays off!

[Terry M.]

Re: One eyed (headlight) C3 down under

And trying to operate the headlamps manually while the enigne is running or vacuum is stored in the system is, as Jack pointed out, a good way to get your fingers pinched. Also watch out for the wiper door at the electrical over-ride switch. That one will bit real bad.