I recently purchased a 1969 RS camaro convertible. I was not surprised that the flip lights did not work because I have heard that they often break. Where do I start in trouble shooting them? Are there any typical things that I should check right away?

The car was recently restored and it has new vacuum hoses. The guy I bought the car from said that the lights worked days before I came by who knows.

Also one of the lights blows open when I am on the highway with the lights off. What can I fix to keep them shut when I have the lights off?

Thanks in advance.
John 69 RS Convertible Camaro. http://www.camaros.net/cgi-bin/xchange/xchange.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=302&exact_match=on&photo_size=full

I would make sure all the hose connections are good (vacum port, relay, T connections etc.). Check to make sure the hoses are in good shape. Also make sure the bell crank and pivots move free and without interference. If alls good there you can check the individual actuators by hooking up a vacum source to the open or close side of the actuator.

Thanks for some feedback. Should the flip lights move freely?
I can push them in and out but I defiantly feel resistance in both directions. Like I am moving a shock. I can hear the air pressure when I manually move them.

If you can hear air rushing through check the vacum fittings on the actuators. Some resistance is normal when you open and close the doors (this is the seal in the actuator).

I went through the hoses and found a connection to an old dry rotted hose that was cracked and disconnected. Problem fixed. The lights now work.

One last question....Is it normal for the drivers side light to open after the passenger side? My drivers side light works but opens or closes 5 to 10 seconds after the passenger side.

It sounds like there may be a slight vacuum leak - either the canister or hose. They shouldn't be that off from each other. BTW - if the headlight hinges recently rebuilt, they can be done easily. Everything rides on thin stepped plastic washers that get brittle. I rebuilt mine and lubes with anti-seize. Easily done. Also, if you look under the car, there should be small springs that keep tension on the headlight assembly. They may be missing or not hooked up. They're a pain.

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Rick Dorion
69 RS Conv,355,M20,4.10's

On my '68 the drivers side opens first but, they close at the same time. All new hoses, diverter valve, canisters, etc.