Headlights...

[GRS72GT]

Okay, my headlights flip over and engage, which I was shocked to find out, the car having sat on the side of my neighbor's house for 22 years. However, the only problem, well, I don't know if it is a problem, but it is unpleasant, is that you have to hammer your hand really hard on the lever several times before they'll start to flip over, like the lever is stuck on something. I just can't find anything for it to be stuck on. Once the lever is past that initial "bump" the headlights rotate smoothly and easily, so the cable is fine. I not sure that it should take that much force to get the headlights to start to turn over. Is this normal, or is something wrong with the cable somewhere?

[Anonymous D]

Trying spraying the cable with WD40 on
both ends (meaning, under the car too)
and working the handle back and forth
until it loosens up. Also check where the
cable is mounted (in 2 places), and
see that the mounts are securely bolted
in place. Check the operation of all the
attached hardware, and make sure the cable
doesn't catch on the inside of the transmission
tunnel area. Also make sure the cable is
not bent at an end.

If that doesn't do it, check the headlight
mechanisms for resistance (they can be
pulled and cleaned, with a lot of effort),
or consider installing a new headlight cable.

[namba209]

A quick and dirty way to check the cable for binding or other problems, is to disconnect it from the rotating mechanism push-pull rods just in front of the radiator. That way you'llr be able to tell if it is the cable or the rotating mechansims giving you the problem. I would suggest that having the car sit outside for that long, it could just be rusty at the exposed part of the cable. HTH.

[hallgeir]

Also, have a look at this: Headlights - page 1 of 2
, sure helped me.

[nobody]

The initial bump of the cable is just to release the two locks for the rotating mechanisms. Sounds to me like the two are just a bit out of time leaving one still locked or possibly a lock is sticking. Good luck

[baronbors]

Before digging to deep into the headlights- you did replace the headlight wiring- didn't you??????

[GRS72GT]

Yeah, replacing the headlight wiring is next on my list now that the car runs. I heard it was a problem spot as far as the electrical goes. Oh, and thanks for the tips!

[swiss]

DON'T use WD-40 to lube the cable. WD-40 is a penetrant, but not a good lube. Use some of the penetrating lubes instead. Akroil (sp) is a good one and there are many others better than WD-40 for the job.

Swiss

[baronbors]

Originally Posted by swiss DON'T use WD-40 to lube the cable. WD-40 is a penetrant, but not a good lube. Use some of the penetrating lubes instead. Akroil (sp) is a good one and there are many others better than WD-40 for the job. Swiss

I agree but I always apply WD40 at first to help cut the rust- get it moving smoothly and then add a good lube after cleanng all the WD40 away. On my headlight mech bar and cable, I used a silicone based lube- forgot what it was, it was over 4 years ago, and mixed some powdered graphite with it and my headlights have swung smooth as silk since then.

[opelwasp]

PB Blaster is sooooo much better than WD-40. I use WD-40 only as a temporary bare metal coating to keep parts from rusting, that's it.

[opelgtmaster3]

my headlights did the same the thing dude. but my were stuck so bad that the handle broke in half. well this is how ii fixed it. i truned the headlights over half way, to were you can see the little locking thing. theres two on each headlight. all i did was spray i with WD40 and i then fliped the hedlights over a few times and it was fine. i havnt had any problems for since then and that was like 2 years ago.