Headlights with Viagra

PostPost by: Gizze » Tue Dec 15, 2009 9:09 pm

Hi,
I'm in the process of getting my car back on the road. Having put 'new' pods on the vacuum system and got the engine to run, I now find the headlights come up (eventually), but then I can't get the things to come down - even when the engine is turned off, they still stay up. It's a 1970 car with the non fail safe system (as far as I can tell). Only by breaking the vacuum (disconnecting the hose) do they come down - Have they been dosed with Viagra??!!
Any help would be very much appreciated.
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PostPost by: JJDraper » Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:51 pm

With the engine off, how easily do they move by hand? Easy, with a pronounced snap downwards or can you feel friction resistance, rather than the hiss of air being compressed/moved in the pods? How is the vacuum switched - electronic valve or pneumatic? Could be a sticky/blocked control valve.

Jeremy
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PostPost by: bcmc33 » Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:52 pm

Gizze,

Whatever your name is (Gizze?), and where you're from, it sounds like a faulty vacuum switch or non-return valve.
Brian Clarke
(1972 Sprint 5 EFI)

Growing old is mandatory..........Growing up is optional
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PostPost by: paddy » Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:32 pm

I think the vacuum switch on the dash might be plumbed in the wrong way and you need to reverse the two pipes. One of them, when the switch is in the "down" position, vents to the atmosphere to allow the pods to go down.

Paddy
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PostPost by: Jason1 » Wed Dec 16, 2009 8:23 pm

Hi

A few pics of the non-failsafe dash switch on my 1968 +2. It is a really simple switch; when you pull the knob the rubber block uncovers a pipe.

Jason
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DSCF0280.JPG and
Switch with cover off
DSCF0282.JPG and
Switch in pieces
50/0951 1968 Wedgewood blue +2, 1990 Mini Cooper RSP
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PostPost by: Gizze » Thu Dec 24, 2009 5:02 am

Swapped the hose connections on the switch - headlights now go up and down in an orderly fashion. SUCCESS.
Many many thanks. :D
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