Hi guys
I have a 69 Cougar w a 351w. The dash lights were fickle. Sometimes would come on, and then sometimes not, or just go out. I replaced them with Leds earlier which definitely brightened the dash but did not fix the problem.
I read here and elsewhere to first try replacing the light switch to fix my issue. I ordered one from Rockauto. Standard Motor Products SI DD-151. It had the 3 vacuum attachments. Took awhile to get the original bracket off the original switch which I expoxyed onto the new one. Success the dash lights immediately worked.
A new problem has surfaced. I noticed my hideaway headlights had stopped working. The headlights would be on but the covers would stay closed. I tried a different configuration with the vacuum hoses to the switches. That kept them open… hmmmm. ?
So a few questions what’s the original configuration of those vacuum hoses going to the switch? Can somebody look and check theirs please? I can hear a hissing sound ie vacuum leak when lights on at the switch. I don’t remember that with the previous switch. Is that normal to hear a hissing sound.
Any suggestions here on how to fix this?
Thanks in advance
The vacuum hoses are color coded and so is your original switch. If you look closely at the hoses you will see a colored stripe on each one and if you look at your original switch you will see a paint dab near each hose fitting. White and yellow are two of the colors and I think green is the third. All you do is match the colors, hose to fitting.
Now about the hissing noise. You should hear a little as you turn the headlights on or off but it should not be constant. If you hear the hissing all the time then you have a vacuum leak. If you have a leak it could be a bad end of a hose or a split somewhere in the hose or a bad switch. Hope that this helps you.
Randy Goodling
CCOA #95
Start with this. First not normal for hissing sounds except as Randy points out. The green (mine looks more blue than green) line opens the covers and is the port closest to the dash, the white line is the vacuum source and goes on the middle port, finally the yellow line goes on the last port closest to the fire wall and closes the covers. Green goes on the top of the actuator to open and the yellow connects to the bottom of the actuator to close.
I see on the diagram that there is a shut off valve in the lines. I don’t recall seeing it on my car but you might want to look at it.
I have this diagram and am quite sure I got it off the WCCC web page.
Good Luck, Gary
The shut off (or by pass) valve should not be a problem for the OP as he did not say he had a problem with his headlight doors prior to changing the headlight switch. This valve is there so you can release the vacuum from the system so the headlight doors open without having the car running so you can change or adjust your headlights. It is a black plastic piece and you will find it along the inner fender apron on the drivers side. The vacuum hoses will come into it and out the other side. It is not very big, the control on top that you twist to open or close it is about the size of a quarter.
Randy Goodling
CCOA #95
Thanks guys. The diagram on Wccg for the vacuum lines got it fixed up. Now onto the next project 