Headlight issue....86 C10 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

CamSmoky · 10-08-2008, 11:27 PM

1986 C10 Custom Deluxe Step-side.
The truck is in show condition, everthing is perfect. Just started last time I drove it at night(seldom do) and the headlights will shut off on their own after about 15-20 minutes of being on. 2-3 minutes later they come back on by themselves. I recently rebuilt the alternator and problem is still present. It has me baffled as of now as I am no electrical guru, but know a decent amount about it and have diagnosed issues before. Anyone have any ideas what might be going on? Its almost like something gets hot, then once it cools down it starts working again. All grounds are clean and tight, the headlights are aftermarket with the replacement bulbs, not the whole headlight assembly like stock. Worked great for 7 years I have had the truck finished, just noticed this last time I drove it at night.

Thanks in advance from Kansas...

**old Rusty C10** · 10-08-2008, 11:30 PM

i dont remember if it was a GM product the last time it happened to me ( and one time ) but it was the headlight switch

Albatrossian · 10-09-2008, 05:39 AM

Or it could be the 'breaker' in the fuse panel for the headlights..

CLASSIC87' · 10-09-2008, 07:25 AM

I have no idea... but I wanted to welcome you to the board! Post some pics of the truck too

CamSmoky · 10-09-2008, 08:23 AM

Thanks for the welcome, lots of good info here that has helped me in the past.
I should have put this earlier, but the headlight switch is brand new in the truck and the problem still lirks.

Old picture of the truck, dirty and dusty sitting in the garage.
Blown 350, 5/6 drop, 12 bolt, fuel cell under bed, ZR1 roll-pan, billet grille, louvered tailgate....started this in high school, still some little things to do on it, but overall good truck and lots of fun. More pics to come.

CamSmoky · 10-10-2008, 12:37 AM

Fixed! Thanks for the advice. Melted wire in a wire connector by the high beam switch on the column.

1BadC10 · 10-29-2008, 09:27 AM

Nice looking truck. Wish mine was that clean. Welcome to the board (even if I only chime in once every blue moon... LOL).

Ds86C10 · 10-29-2008, 02:13 PM

even if you say your truck is "dirty" in the picture, it looks awesome!

**old Rusty C10** · 10-29-2008, 02:44 PM

beautiful truck... that aint dirty.. mine has not been washed since 1983... we need more pics of yours tho lots more pics... welcome also

10-08-2008, 11:27 PM	#1
CamSmoky Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Pittsburg, KS Posts: 4	Headlight issue....86 C10 1986 C10 Custom Deluxe Step-side. The truck is in show condition, everthing is perfect. Just started last time I drove it at night(seldom do) and the headlights will shut off on their own after about 15-20 minutes of being on. 2-3 minutes later they come back on by themselves. I recently rebuilt the alternator and problem is still present. It has me baffled as of now as I am no electrical guru, but know a decent amount about it and have diagnosed issues before. Anyone have any ideas what might be going on? Its almost like something gets hot, then once it cools down it starts working again. All grounds are clean and tight, the headlights are aftermarket with the replacement bulbs, not the whole headlight assembly like stock. Worked great for 7 years I have had the truck finished, just noticed this last time I drove it at night. Thanks in advance from Kansas...

10-08-2008, 11:30 PM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,313	Re: Headlight issue....86 C10 i dont remember if it was a GM product the last time it happened to me ( and one time ) but it was the headlight switch __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

10-09-2008, 05:39 AM	#3
Albatrossian Georgia Boy Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Douglas, Georgia Posts: 370	Re: Headlight issue....86 C10 Or it could be the 'breaker' in the fuse panel for the headlights..

10-09-2008, 07:25 AM	#4
CLASSIC87' OL BLUU Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: WICHITA, KS. Posts: 1,065	Re: Headlight issue....86 C10 I have no idea... but I wanted to welcome you to the board! Post some pics of the truck too __________________ More Drop and pics... whatch'a think?: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=249927 My recent 2wd Blazer progress thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=393427 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=394870 Last edited by CLASSIC87'; 10-09-2008 at 07:25 AM.

10-09-2008, 08:23 AM	#5
CamSmoky Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Pittsburg, KS Posts: 4	Re: Headlight issue....86 C10 Thanks for the welcome, lots of good info here that has helped me in the past. I should have put this earlier, but the headlight switch is brand new in the truck and the problem still lirks. Old picture of the truck, dirty and dusty sitting in the garage. Blown 350, 5/6 drop, 12 bolt, fuel cell under bed, ZR1 roll-pan, billet grille, louvered tailgate....started this in high school, still some little things to do on it, but overall good truck and lots of fun. More pics to come. Attached Images

10-10-2008, 12:37 AM	#6
CamSmoky Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Pittsburg, KS Posts: 4	Re: Headlight issue....86 C10 Fixed! Thanks for the advice. Melted wire in a wire connector by the high beam switch on the column. __________________ 1986 Chevrolet C10 Stepside 1986 Chevrolet K5 Blazer 2000 GMC Sonoma "Ask me about the Air National Guard"

10-29-2008, 09:27 AM	#7
1BadC10 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 16	Re: Headlight issue....86 C10 Nice looking truck. Wish mine was that clean. Welcome to the board (even if I only chime in once every blue moon... LOL). __________________ 1986 Chevy Silverado (RCSB) - 5.3L/4L60E nearly complete...

10-29-2008, 02:13 PM	#8
Ds86C10 2WD 4 Life Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Coon Rapids, MN Posts: 169	Re: Headlight issue....86 C10 even if you say your truck is "dirty" in the picture, it looks awesome! __________________ Big D 1969 c10 1960 cadillac 1978 king cobra

10-29-2008, 02:44 PM	#9
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,313	Re: Headlight issue....86 C10 beautiful truck... that aint dirty.. mine has not been washed since 1983... we need more pics of yours tho lots more pics... welcome also __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!



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