pop up lights

[rocket]

My pop ups work fine,pop up as shpuld,when down stay down for weeks..only problem i have is that sometimes they dont retract as requested,but a gentle prod to either side and down they go..why ?

[archigator]

I recently had one of my headlight buckets repainted, and while it was out, I took the opportunity to clean the mounting hardware with a Dremel and re-lubricated the hardware on reassembly. Now that headlight opens really quickly, while the other is slower to open... the result is that my Elan gives on-coming traffic the "stink-eye" for about the first 5 minutes of operation until both lights fully open up. I plan to clean and re-lube the remaining offender this weekend.

I think if you took the buckets out, cleaned up the mounting hardware and re-lubed it, that might solve your problem. Also, check for hose leaks at the tee.

Gary
'71 Elan Sprint
Miami, Florida

[collins_dan]

Don't mean to hijack your post, but I have a related issue. Mine are fail safe and pop down fine, but only stay down about an hour or two before coming back up. I understand that there is a non-return valve somewhere between the block and the frame, which is likely all crudded up and causing the bad seal. Any pictures of it and directions for how to get to it would be helpful. Thanks. Dan '70 S4 SE

[ppnelan]

The one-way valve is (usually) in the brass bit that screws into the inlet manifold on the cylinder head.

Matthew

[CBUEB1771]

I understand that there is a non-return valve somewhere between the block and the frame, which is likely all crudded up and causing the bad seal.

There are several possible causes of a vacuum leak that allows the headlamps to creep up with the fail safe system. The check valve is one. There is also the whole run of vacuum tubing connecting the vacuum reservoir in the front crossmember, the actuating pot, the light control switch in the dash (fascia) and the check valve. The most dreaded problem is of course corrosion in the front suspension towers causing a breach of the reservoir that is the crossmember.