Vacuum Control Solenoid on Tach is it

[Jamie F.]

Missing some hoses?
I have my '69 dash apart and noticed that the vacuum control solenoid that is attached to the back of the tach does not have any hoses on the side that faces the steering column.
On the other side there is an electrical plug and a vacuum hose attached that comes through the firewall, and another hose that goes up to the light switch.
But the other side has an L shaped tee with two openings and no hoses attached. Is this just a vent, or am I missing some hoses? I looked through all the manuals and no place could I find a vacuum hose diagram that shows this solenoid. If they are missing where do they go?
Everything seems to work, I think...

[Dick W.]

Re: Vacuum Control Solenoid on Tach is it

Do your wipers work OK? If so, everything is well

[Jamie F.]

Re: Vacuum Control Solenoid on Tach is it

Well Dick, they do sorta work.
But they aren't what I would call very responsive.
Though maybe this had something to do with it???
Headlight doors like to wink at me.
Wiper door opens in it own sweet time...
But they do all eventually get there!

[Dick W.]

Re: Vacuum Control Solenoid on Tach is it

Jamie, sounds like you are dealing with one or more vacuum leaks. The relays are very bad to leak. The best way to test, in absence of an external vacuum source, it to take a pair of pliers and clamp of the vacuum source to each relay, one at a time. Crank the vehicle and see if the other doors operate faster. Another way, with the engine running, is to use a small propane torch and direct the gas at each of the relays, one at a time. If it is leaking, the idle will speed up slightly. Takes a few seconds to reach the carb, so do not be in a hurry. Be careful not to direct the gas at a source of ignition. Also check the headlamp and wiper door cannisters. The seals around the shaft will eventually rot and start leaking. They are replaceable if leaking.

[Alan S.]

Re: Vacuum Control Solenoid on Tach is it

Hi Jamie,
To address your question about the valve on the back of the tach... the part of the valve that points to the steering column has 2 ports, the one closest to the valve itself has the white striped hose that runs to the vacuum pull down switch under the steering column, the port that points directly at the steering column has just a small, rectangular, foam, filter on it. The other port on the valve has a yellow striped hose and runs to a tee in the hose that comes from the headlight switch and exits through the firewall.
In my 71 AIM the valve detail is in UPC12, Sheet B9.
Hope this helps you with some of your mysteries.
Regards,
Alan

[Jamie F.]

Re: Vacuum Control Solenoid on Tach is it

Alan,
Yep! Your are exactly right!
I discovered the wayward hose from the pull down switch and reattached it.
I could see remnants of the foam filter but it is gone. I'll have to find one.
Thank you for your knowledge and help!

[Alan S.]

Re: Vacuum Control Solenoid on Tach is it

Hi Jamie,
GOOD FOR YOU!
For the filter... people have been known to make the filter themselves. It's been done with a piece of foam weather strip of an appropriate size and shape (cut to fit) from the Home Supply store.
Regards,
Alan

PS: Even finding 'remnants' of the original filter is good.