Passenger headlight up, driver 90% up

Last night when I put the lights on, I noticed the driver light was not fully up.  When I got home, I turned them off then on.  When I turned them on again, the driver did not come up at all.

Rick, the whole system runs on vacume so you have a leak. Slow process but follow the hoses. I'd start under the dash at the headlight switch. I once knocked one of the hoses off the switch. You have to be a contourtionist to get under there. Hopefully it's an easy fix.

As ebo stated, probably a vacuum leak somewhere, its the "where" in somewhere that makes working on these cars interesting.  If you havent been working under the dash and this is a sudden failure of the lights check the vacuum hoses that attach to the relays that are located between the left and right headlight, make sure the hoses are firmly attached there are actually 4 hoses that attach to each relay, three on the bottom side and one to the metal top.  Then check the hoses that attach to the headlight actuators, ther are two one on the front and one on the back of the actuator. If these hoses are firmly attached and not obviously cracked  then look at the hoses where they attach to the vacuum "can" which is the coffee can looking thing that is mouted in the center of your 81 between the headlights.  There are 3 hoses that attach there.  Just make sure they are firmly attached to the nipples in the center of the can. The can itself can leak if its rusted, usually around the seams on the ends and along the side seam.  If this doesnt work then as ebo says, limber up  and look under the dash at the switch there is a good tutorial on headlight vacuum at www.corvette-101.com that may help you in troubleshooting.  Let us know if you manage. Crossfire19822009-09-02 16:50:00

Thanks for the info!  I know it is vacuum related, but I was thrown that only (1) side was acting up!  I will check it all out.  I found a great diagram on line.  Could not find one in my manuals!

Check all the plastic tees also.

Since only one light is acting up, it seems likely the problem is the relay or actuator on that light.  A handy way to find a vacuum leak is to run the car, turn on the headlights, then spray all the hoses and components with starter fluid.  The engine will rev up when you hit the leak.  remeber it will take a second for the fluid to get to the carb, so when it revs up, slowly work backward until you find the problem.  Sometimes it is a good idea to replace the whole vacuum hose system.  There are kits that include all the correct color coded hoses and a diagram.

Larry