Can headlight doors open on their own?

[Sanitarium 73]

Can the headlight doors open partially on their own? I noticed that mine were partway open earlier today. The car doesn't get driven (running poorly) but it is periodically started up. Thanks.

Jim

[marine165]

Yep.

The doors are held closed by vacuum, and opened by springs. So when you have a little vacuum leak someplace, the vacuum leaks out overnight, and they open a little.

At least that is how this cougar guy understands it. I don't have to deal with the damn things on my car. ;)

Mike

[cdiedrick_79]

Dude,
The headlight doors are a really cool feature of these cars. Also the biggest pain you could ever imagine. Mine used to work great, then after I rebuilt my engine, they started acting up, and got worse. First they would leak, then close partially while I was driving with my headlights on, then just stay open, then close when I "gunned it." I have asked this question on different forums, including this one, have done what I have been told everytime, and mine still don't work right. For all I know I have fixed the initial problem, but another one was created since that probelm started. Kind of a chain reaction if you know what I mean. My next step is a smoke machine. Will post what I found after that.
Chris

[Sanitarium 73]

Thank you for the reply! I have heard that the doors can stop working, but mine stilll work like new!

Jim

[Gearworks]

hey chris,

ive got the vacuum diagram if ya need a copy. email me... be glad to forward it to you. it sounds like youve got a leaking or misrouted line.

[Charles]

Mine did the same thing and was remedied by a new headlight switch. Most of the hidden headlight people I talked to locally feel that is the weak link. I still want electrics just to get rid of those jumbo vacuum lines and vacuum motors and the big can hidden in the left front fender.

[bigbrownbird]

Hey guys,
And if anyone needs any of those stupid vaccum canisters behind the grill, I have couple of good ones. I just love that my whole hometown knows i collect t-birds and will just give me thier parts that they have sitting around ... whether I want them or not!

Lee

[Sanitarium 73]

Lee, that actually seems very cool! I wish people would 'donate' parts to my cause! If anything, you could sell those extra parts for a small profit...

Jim