Headlights wont come on?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Zumo · 07-11-2002, 11:26 AM

Last night I went to turn my lights on and only the parking lights came on. I checked all fuses and connections and figured the only thing it could be is the relay for the head lights. No time to go to the parts store.

So I have to drive home with no head lights(from Ft Worth to Dallas on I-30)behind my uncle so I can see. Then all the sudden about half way there they come on. I was like what gives?! Maybe something had to warm up? I dunno. Anyway I whent out this morning and they wouldn't come on.

Any ideas. I am going to try replacing that relay when I get home today from work.

68 with 350 TPI · 07-11-2002, 11:48 AM

The first thing that comes to my mind is that maby the headlight switch has a bad connection or that the switch itself is bad.

Try to wiggle the switch and see if the lights come on.

CE20934 · 07-11-2002, 11:54 AM

The dimmer switch terminals could be rusty as well.

Happened to me on my way home from Laramie. Got just outside Walden when my lights got real dim, then bright, dim, out, bright, finally out completely. Never though about the dimmer switch til a rancher pulled up and asked about it. Shoved a piece of baling wire in the connector, lights came back brighter than ever. Waited til the next morning to clean the dimmer switch off, but that was it. Once the terminals in the connector & on the switch were clean, lights stayed bright.

Zumo · 07-11-2002, 12:00 PM

Well I tried that and the switch looks brand new. I have only had the truck for a about 4 months. Maybe I should pull the switch out and make sure everything is secure.

There is construction going on on my street and it real bumpy. I was thinking all that jarring was going to make the ligts go off but it didn't

Longhorn Man · 07-11-2002, 05:07 PM

There is no relay.
I also think it is going to be the dimmer switch or light switch. Check for any corrosion.
Your light sockets should be good being that they are both going off together.
Pray it is not a short in the harness. It gets REAl fun real quick.

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 07-11-2002, 05:16 PM

Check your dimmer switch, mine did the same exact thing the other night so I took my foot and hit the dimmer switch a couple of times and the lights came on.

**68 Stepside** · 07-11-2002, 05:48 PM

Sounds like the dimmer switch to me as well. My 68's did that one night, out of the blue. I was getting ready to go to work (11pm-7am), fired it up, pulled the light switch....nothing. Slammed my foot down on the dimmer switch, brights came on. Needless to say, I got to work, came home the next morning, pulled the connector, and the switch looked brand new.

So, sometimes the inner workings of the switch go bad, and the only way to tell, is to jump a wire across the connector, to see if the lights come on.

OK, I'm done rambling!

Good luck,

TJ

chevyman 68 C/10 · 07-11-2002, 10:53 PM

dimmer sw.

jhwkns · 07-11-2002, 11:18 PM

Check your headlight ground wires too. Mine on the battery side was corroded, and caused some problems.

07-11-2002, 11:26 AM	#1
Zumo Hot Rods For Life Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 3,305	Headlights wont come on?? Last night I went to turn my lights on and only the parking lights came on. I checked all fuses and connections and figured the only thing it could be is the relay for the head lights. No time to go to the parts store. So I have to drive home with no head lights(from Ft Worth to Dallas on I-30)behind my uncle so I can see. Then all the sudden about half way there they come on. I was like what gives?! Maybe something had to warm up? I dunno. Anyway I whent out this morning and they wouldn't come on. Any ideas. I am going to try replacing that relay when I get home today from work. __________________ 1968 C10 LWB **SOLD* Andy Viva Los Bicicletas! Los Muertos Custom Bicycles

07-11-2002, 11:48 AM	#2
68 with 350 TPI Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wingate NC Posts: 456	The first thing that comes to my mind is that maby the headlight switch has a bad connection or that the switch itself is bad. Try to wiggle the switch and see if the lights come on. __________________ Life is good with a 6-71 supercharged 355 in a 72 camaro

07-11-2002, 11:54 AM	#3
CE20934 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Help! I'm in an office park with its own network of freeways! Posts: 470	The dimmer switch terminals could be rusty as well. Happened to me on my way home from Laramie. Got just outside Walden when my lights got real dim, then bright, dim, out, bright, finally out completely. Never though about the dimmer switch til a rancher pulled up and asked about it. Shoved a piece of baling wire in the connector, lights came back brighter than ever. Waited til the next morning to clean the dimmer switch off, but that was it. Once the terminals in the connector & on the switch were clean, lights stayed bright. __________________ '67 C20--427 tall deck/SM420, 4.10 HO52 (Michigan has not been kind to the Old Man) '95 Caprice--355 LT1/T56/3.42 8.5" 10-bolt (daily driver, almost 300k on the chassis) '07 Outback--wife's car. 125k & counting. No head gasket or transmission issues yet. fingers crossed

07-11-2002, 12:00 PM	#4
Zumo Hot Rods For Life Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 3,305	Well I tried that and the switch looks brand new. I have only had the truck for a about 4 months. Maybe I should pull the switch out and make sure everything is secure. There is construction going on on my street and it real bumpy. I was thinking all that jarring was going to make the ligts go off but it didn't __________________ 1968 C10 LWB **SOLD* Andy Viva Los Bicicletas! Los Muertos Custom Bicycles Last edited by Zumo; 07-11-2002 at 12:03 PM.

07-11-2002, 05:16 PM	#6
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Check your dimmer switch, mine did the same exact thing the other night so I took my foot and hit the dimmer switch a couple of times and the lights came on. __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

07-11-2002, 05:07 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	There is no relay. I also think it is going to be the dimmer switch or light switch. Check for any corrosion. Your light sockets should be good being that they are both going off together. Pray it is not a short in the harness. It gets REAl fun real quick.

07-11-2002, 05:48 PM	#7
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,690	Sounds like the dimmer switch to me as well. My 68's did that one night, out of the blue. I was getting ready to go to work (11pm-7am), fired it up, pulled the light switch....nothing. Slammed my foot down on the dimmer switch, brights came on. Needless to say, I got to work, came home the next morning, pulled the connector, and the switch looked brand new. So, sometimes the inner workings of the switch go bad, and the only way to tell, is to jump a wire across the connector, to see if the lights come on. OK, I'm done rambling! Good luck, TJ __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

07-11-2002, 10:53 PM	#8
chevyman 68 C/10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Gilmer, Texas USA Posts: 313	dimmer sw. __________________ 69 Chevy short fleet side soon to have LT1 and 4L60E pb. ps cruise and air. 68 Chevy short fleet side 400 sb 5 inch chop top pb. ps. pw. 350 auto and shaved handles 68 anniversary no engine long wheel base 400 auto FOR SALE 68 Chevy fleet side long wheel base complete parts truck.

07-11-2002, 11:18 PM	#9
jhwkns Registered Cruiser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 2,230	Check your headlight ground wires too. Mine on the battery side was corroded, and caused some problems. __________________ I intend to live forever. So far, so good.



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