I have a 68 Riv. I bought it without the headlight vacuum canisters so I bought a complete headlight assembly the other day from a board member cannisters, hoses, headlight switch etc. He sent me a video of the system working on his car before he sent it. I connected the cannisters and they seem good and hold vacuum, I have a 68 riv assembly manual so I checked and double checked all of the hoses to make sure they are hooked up correctly. I pulled the headlights up so they were hidden and they stayed up fine but went down when I started the engine without the headlights on. Nothing happens when I turn on the headlights except that the headlights come on and when I turn them off the headlights stay down they do not come up or close. So I then replaced my vacuum control switch with the one I bought to see if that changed anything, it did not. I am stumped. I havenot replaced the large tank inside the fender but I have checked all of the hoses for cracks/leaks and I have not replaced the headlight switch because I do not want to take apart the dash unless someone knows an easy way to replace the switch. So why do my headlights come down when I start the engine?? Thanks Tim
Tim, the first thing I would do is recheck your hose routing. In the 68 service manual, the diagram is on page 120-51. Make sure you have the check valve installed correctly going into the tank. Also make sure you have the hoses installed correctly on the actuators and on the vacuum relay. You probably have the hoses reversed maybe on the relay?
Jason, I have checked and rechecked the vacuum hoses and have them connected according to the manual, I even revered the hoses on the actuatero thinking that maybe they would do the opposite but still came down as soon as I started the engine. I do have the vacuum relay connected with the metal part facing the engine. ??????????
Like Jason sez Tim: Double check your connections, per 120-52 (vacuum hose chart), and make sure the vacuum tank one way check valve is installed with the metal end towards the engine. The vacuum relay inside front fender (by the battery), may also be stuck, leaking or the diaphragm is nfg. o No:
Despite its looks, the headlight vacuum system is fairly easy to diagnose. Dont let it throw you. The first thing i would check is to make sure you have vacuum where and when your supposed to. Ok, you have a hose off the storage tank that goes to the switch. From the switch, it goes to the vacuum relay. With the headlight switch in the OFF postition, you should have vacuum at the relay. And naturally, with the switch in the ON position, it will shut vacuum off to the relay. Lets see if the switch is working first.
Ok, I just cheked and I have vacuum on the green hose at all times, lights on or off and no vacuum on the red (bottom) lights on or off.
How about calling me on my cell phone while I work on it. It should be easy to identify the problem. 612-310-4105 Tim
Hi Tim, You cold just unhook the vacuum switch lines from under the dash and hook the spair switch without taking the dash apart, the electrical wires should not need to be hooked up. Of coarse I have no experience with these systems. LOL I have another complete system here, although not installed in the car I was told it worked properly. I can send you any part you want to try. Thanks Bruce
Tim, I noticed in your original post that you've got a 68 Riv assembly manual. I haven't been able to find an assy manual for the 68, only the 69, and was wondering where you found the 68 manual. There probably isn't much difference betwee the 68 and 69 manuals, but I'd like to get a 68 version if possible. Thanks.
I believe Jason was refering to the '68 Shop Manual (Chassis Service Manual) - I have never seen an assembly manual for a '68 ! o No:
The vacuum hose from the headlight switch had fallen off the vacuum relay. Do you guys spray any lubricant in your actuators? I usually spray a little silicone in them periodically to keep them from getting sticky
I'll be the first to say that problem like that have tripped me up in the past many times. That vacuum relay is in PITA spot too. Not something you can easily see.
I'll never understand why they went from using the relatively trouble free & simple electric system for the retractable headlights to the Rube Goldberg like vacuum system. Was it to make them more quiet? Not Buick, but I remember as a kid my Dad getting so frustrated with the vacuum operated headlamp doors on his '68 Toronado that he finally tied them in the up position. Even the local Olds dealer couldn't get it them work properly.
