In need of some help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

tomis blair · 05-11-2012, 09:50 AM

Im in the process of getting my 69 road worthy but im having an elictrical problem. I cannot get any of my lights to come on. The dome light comes on when i twist the knob and the headlights came on the other day but nothing else. I replaced all of the bulbs in the turn signals and tails and still nothing. Is this an indicator that my dimmer switch is going out? This should be one of the last grimmlens i need to chase down before taking her out.

PS she also has a brand new battery so there is plenty of juice.

AF_Chevy · 05-11-2012, 09:54 AM

Just a thought but check all of your grounds. It could be the problem. (from personal experience)

68gmsee · 05-11-2012, 10:05 AM

Dimmer switch can be a potential problem. I'd replace it just because it can act up at a very inopportune time -like in pitch black road at night.

The ground issue as mentioned by AF Chevy is a good possibility and because these trucks are 40 plus years old you need to install even more than the orginal truck had. I actually installed 5 straps on mine.
Rear of the frame to the bed
Cab to frame
Cab to engine
Radiator support to battery negative (frame would be okay)
Extra one from engine back to the frame

Overkill but I got tired of electrical gremlins.

**slomotion** · 05-11-2012, 10:30 AM

I agree with the bad ground potential. My second choice would be bad contacts within the light switch....rust, corrosion, etc. Take the switch out and check it before you do anything extensive.

tomis blair · 05-11-2012, 11:24 AM

Thanks for the info. Ill check and add some grounds and give her a shot.

68gmsee · 05-11-2012, 07:10 PM

Yeah. Lights switch for sure can cause problems as well as the foot switch. You can still get both at local auto parts (I'd get them from Car Quest) and they're not expensive and are easy to replace.

If you do decide to replace the light switch remember there's a small plunger on the switch itself that needs to be pushed in to remove the knob.

05-11-2012, 09:50 AM	#1
tomis blair Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: grants pass oregon Posts: 40	In need of some help Im in the process of getting my 69 road worthy but im having an elictrical problem. I cannot get any of my lights to come on. The dome light comes on when i twist the knob and the headlights came on the other day but nothing else. I replaced all of the bulbs in the turn signals and tails and still nothing. Is this an indicator that my dimmer switch is going out? This should be one of the last grimmlens i need to chase down before taking her out. PS she also has a brand new battery so there is plenty of juice.

05-11-2012, 09:54 AM	#2
AF_Chevy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 44	Re: In need of some help Just a thought but check all of your grounds. It could be the problem. (from personal experience) __________________ Brian ______________________________________________________________________________________________ My attempt at a build thread... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post5371238

05-11-2012, 10:05 AM	#3
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: In need of some help Dimmer switch can be a potential problem. I'd replace it just because it can act up at a very inopportune time -like in pitch black road at night. The ground issue as mentioned by AF Chevy is a good possibility and because these trucks are 40 plus years old you need to install even more than the orginal truck had. I actually installed 5 straps on mine. Rear of the frame to the bed Cab to frame Cab to engine Radiator support to battery negative (frame would be okay) Extra one from engine back to the frame Overkill but I got tired of electrical gremlins.

05-11-2012, 10:30 AM	#4
slomotion Old Duffer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Maine Posts: 1,821	Re: In need of some help I agree with the bad ground potential. My second choice would be bad contacts within the light switch....rust, corrosion, etc. Take the switch out and check it before you do anything extensive. __________________ '68 Short C20 Flatbed Dually w/ 292 4bbl, Langdon cast headers, and WC T5 trans. '81 G10 Shorty Van "Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement." Will Rogers "Under promise, then over achieve."

05-11-2012, 11:24 AM	#5
tomis blair Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: grants pass oregon Posts: 40	Re: In need of some help Thanks for the info. Ill check and add some grounds and give her a shot.

05-11-2012, 07:10 PM	#6
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: In need of some help Yeah. Lights switch for sure can cause problems as well as the foot switch. You can still get both at local auto parts (I'd get them from Car Quest) and they're not expensive and are easy to replace. If you do decide to replace the light switch remember there's a small plunger on the switch itself that needs to be pushed in to remove the knob.



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