UPDATED!: Headlights won't go up? Any ideas on how to fix?

"Luc - The Acadian Oppo" (luc5)
06/06/2015 at 01:00 • Filed to: PROJECT CRUISE MISSILE

Update: I fixed it! You want to know how I did it ? I pulled on the knob a little bit harder.

For fuck sakes I had no light for 6 months just because I did not know how to use them. I feel like such a tool.

Working on the Lincoln like I do every Saturday and today I need to figure out how to fix the headlights. The Headlight covers to be more precise. The headlight covers don’t go up. I know the headlights it self works since I can see it behind the covers. But the covers are stuck shut. I looked in the manual and it does not mention anything about the light covers.

I did a quick google search and didn’t find anything either. Any ideas?

DISCUSSION (19)

jkm7680 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/09/2015 at 12:17

Hammer.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/09/2015 at 12:17

I’d check fuses first. they probably run seperate from the lights themselves if the lights are on. Likely a relay hooked up too. As to where? That’s the fun part.

Grindintosecond > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/09/2015 at 12:18

Install light bar, then install Rally lights. Simple.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > jkm7680
05/09/2015 at 12:19

Kinja'd!!!

I shall resort to the drawer of Jeremy

jkm7680 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/09/2015 at 12:20

Kinja'd!!!

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
05/09/2015 at 12:24

Not a bad idea. Start with the easy stuff I guess. Do you know what the button in the foot well is for? Is it for the high beams?

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/09/2015 at 12:27

I’d guess so. It’s probably a stomp button. My F150 had that - easily the coolest feature of that truck. Don’t know why they’re not used anymore.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/09/2015 at 12:27

I’m not entirely sure but I think those covers may be vacuum operated rather than electric. Check your vacuum pressure.

For Sweden > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/09/2015 at 12:28

Fuses if the covers are run by electric motors, the vacuum system if they run on vacuum.

desertdog5051 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/09/2015 at 12:36

Electric or vacuum? Probably electric I would guess. If so, check for a bad relay switch. That is the weakest link in the chain. Start with power test or vac check at the covers. Work backward.

Round headlight enthusiast > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/09/2015 at 12:37

I’m almost 100% certain that something of that vintage will use vaccum lines to control the lights. Those like to dry rot as they get old, so that may be the problem you’re dealing with

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
05/09/2015 at 12:44

Probably because the olds can’t even keep 2 pedals straight. How are they supposed to work both pedals AND a floor switch for their brights.

BRIGHTS ON ALL THE TIME BECAUSE I’M OLD AND SENILE AND SHOULDN’T BE DRIVING. YOLO!!!1

crowmolly > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/09/2015 at 14:39

I am pretty sure that they are vacuum operated, and the default position is OPEN. So if there’s a vacuum leak the lights open up via counterweights.

See if you can find a vacuum line going to one, and disconnect it (temporarily) to see what happens. If it opens, then you have an issue between the switch and the light assemblies.

SPNKiX > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/09/2015 at 14:42

Yup, high beams

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/09/2015 at 16:43

IIRC, older lincolns work on a vacuum system. check and replace lines as necessary.

El Darto > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/09/2015 at 22:13

I am assuming they are vacuum operated. Check the lines. If they are bad, replace. If they look fine, replace them anyway because vacuum line is cheap.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > crowmolly
05/09/2015 at 22:30

That is Exactly what I thought. That if there was a vacuum leak the lights would stay open and not stay closed which is exactly why I did not think it was a vacuum issue. I’ll check the switch and fuses first since that’s what I think the issue is.

I Will Always Be The Honey Badger > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
06/06/2015 at 01:11

Yes sounds like a problem on the electrical side. If you can’t locate the correct fuses and/or wires, let me know and I can pull up some information for you. Just tell me which year.

EDIT

Just saw your update. Great you got ‘em working.

shop-teacher > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
06/06/2015 at 07:24

Hahaha! Awesome fix :)

I feel so dumb when I do stuff like that.