headlights stopped working - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

pappyracing · 04-11-2005, 06:57 PM

my headlights just quit working, no warning. i changed the switch, dimmer switch, horn relay. i checked all the fuseable links i could find and they are ok. all fuses are good also. any help will be appreciated. thanks

griswold510 · 04-11-2005, 08:47 PM

my taillights did the same....turns out it was a bad ground

boxrodz · 04-12-2005, 12:18 AM

Sounds like it could be a bad ground or a loose connection.

Here's a few things to try:

Check the connections at the headlights.
- Check the ground terminal (black wire) with an VOM meter for a good ground.
- Check the other terminal(s) for voltage with a VOM (with the headlight switch in the ON position).
- Check for a solid connection between the headlights and its' connectors.
- Check for good headlights.

Check the terminals at the lightswitch.
- Check the red wire terminal with a VOM (or test light). If no voltage, repair open red wire to battery (fusible link).
- Check the yellow wire terminal with a VOM (or test light). If no voltage, replace light switch.
- Check the yellow wire terminal at the dimmer switch with a VOM (or test light). If no voltage, repair open yellow wire.
- Check the other terminals at the dimmer switch with a VOM (or test light). If no voltage replace dimmer switch.

Check the circuit between the dimmer switch and the headlights.

Good Luck

pappyracing · 04-13-2005, 08:07 PM

I checked all the grounds i could find and i still have no power to the switch

Hoods69BadBowTie · 04-12-2005, 01:00 AM

Yeah sounds like a bad ground somewhere.
-BoxRodz list most of the places to check.
-Later

LOHRTBT · 04-13-2005, 03:24 PM

Mine did just this and its a bad hi/lo switch in the column...that is if your switch is on the column. Fixed mine....then the bastage thieves busted my column.

boxrodz · 04-14-2005, 01:05 AM

If you have no voltage to the 'hot' side of the switch, then it sounds like you have an 'open' between the switch and battery. I know you check the fusible links, but it sounds like maybe the fusible link is bad.

pappyracing · 04-14-2005, 06:09 PM

I gave up and took it to the garage. Thanks everyone for the help.

boxrodz · 04-21-2005, 01:57 AM

pappyracing-
Did the shop get your headlight problem resolved? Just curious what the problem was?

04-11-2005, 06:57 PM	#1
pappyracing Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: penna. Posts: 7	headlights stopped working my headlights just quit working, no warning. i changed the switch, dimmer switch, horn relay. i checked all the fuseable links i could find and they are ok. all fuses are good also. any help will be appreciated. thanks

04-12-2005, 12:18 AM	#3
boxrodz Until Seventy Times Seven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range Posts: 1,301	Sounds like it could be a bad ground or a loose connection. Here's a few things to try: Check the connections at the headlights. - Check the ground terminal (black wire) with an VOM meter for a good ground. - Check the other terminal(s) for voltage with a VOM (with the headlight switch in the ON position). - Check for a solid connection between the headlights and its' connectors. - Check for good headlights. Check the terminals at the lightswitch. - Check the red wire terminal with a VOM (or test light). If no voltage, repair open red wire to battery (fusible link). - Check the yellow wire terminal with a VOM (or test light). If no voltage, replace light switch. - Check the yellow wire terminal at the dimmer switch with a VOM (or test light). If no voltage, repair open yellow wire. - Check the other terminals at the dimmer switch with a VOM (or test light). If no voltage replace dimmer switch. Check the circuit between the dimmer switch and the headlights. Good Luck __________________ boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin...

04-12-2005, 01:00 AM	#5
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Yeah sounds like a bad ground somewhere. -BoxRodz list most of the places to check. -Later __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

04-13-2005, 03:24 PM	#6
LOHRTBT BeWarE tHe eViL CrAnkTOe! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Yukon, OK Posts: 3,605	Mine did just this and its a bad hi/lo switch in the column...that is if your switch is on the column. Fixed mine....then the bastage thieves busted my column. __________________ ~Dave~ You can call me Mike, Mike Oxlong - 1986 Chevy SWB - Stock for now - *1986 Chevy Custom SWB* *Stolen 6/26/05* - 1985 Chevy SWB SOLD - 1999 T/A Some mods www.cardomain.com/id/ramairdave AIM Screenname - Jester84

04-14-2005, 01:05 AM	#7
boxrodz Until Seventy Times Seven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range Posts: 1,301	If you have no voltage to the 'hot' side of the switch, then it sounds like you have an 'open' between the switch and battery. I know you check the fusible links, but it sounds like maybe the fusible link is bad. __________________ boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin...

04-11-2005, 08:47 PM	#2
griswold510 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: kennesaw GA Posts: 73	my taillights did the same....turns out it was a bad ground

04-13-2005, 08:07 PM	#4
pappyracing Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: penna. Posts: 7	I checked all the grounds i could find and i still have no power to the switch

04-14-2005, 06:09 PM	#8
pappyracing Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: penna. Posts: 7	I gave up and took it to the garage. Thanks everyone for the help.

04-21-2005, 01:57 AM	#9
boxrodz Until Seventy Times Seven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range Posts: 1,301	pappyracing- Did the shop get your headlight problem resolved? Just curious what the problem was? __________________ boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin...



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