headlight problems - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

McC_65_91 · 06-25-2010, 09:58 PM

ikve got a 65 4x4 GMC. I took the grille off and painted it and off-white as well as the roof. the headlights came off with the grille. the lights worked before taking it off, finished painting it, went to put it back on, tested them before completely bolting it back on and nothing. I have an LMC HD headlight harness in it. I am clueless as to what it may be since the harness worked fine before hand.... maybe i messed up a connection while doing it??? i cleaned up the hot wire and hit all the headlight plugs with electronic cleaner and redid all the grounds and nothing. anyway let me know what you guys think

i also posted this in electrical, i need to figure this out to get it back on the road
thanks

ConnDemned · 06-25-2010, 10:07 PM

Do the headlights ground to the grille or to the truck body/frame? If it grounds to the grille and you didn't have it bolted up the circuit might not of been complete. Try it after bolting it up, it only takes a few bolts to mount it.

jonzcustomshop · 06-25-2010, 10:08 PM

this happened to me the other day, the headlights ground to the grille, and the grille grounds to the front clip.
I had everything all painted up and there was no contact for a ground, and i did the same thing as you did not have the grille bolted tight, as soon as i tightened everything up the lights worked again.

McC_65_91 · 06-25-2010, 10:33 PM

havent tried it yet but that has to be it... makes soo much sense, thanks for making me feel dumb hahaha

jonzcustomshop · 06-26-2010, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McC_65_91

havent tried it yet but that has to be it... makes soo much sense, thanks for making me feel dumb hahaha

I felt the same way...pissed 'cause the headlights did work, and now they didn't; and then the d'oh! after I realized I just needed to tighten some of the bolts holding the grille to the support..

markeb01 · 06-25-2010, 10:38 PM

A better and more permanent solution would be to reroute the ground wire from the headlight bulbs direct to either the engine block or the frame. Depending on multiple sheet metal connections for electrical ground wasn't very effective when new. After 45-50 years of use, dirt, and rust it's a reasonably unreliable method.

protrash64 · 06-25-2010, 10:41 PM

I had my connector come loose after installing a new grill. It's located on the core support near the horn......same thing, no headlites.

06-25-2010, 09:58 PM	#1
McC_65_91 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: East Quogue, NY Posts: 198	headlight problems ikve got a 65 4x4 GMC. I took the grille off and painted it and off-white as well as the roof. the headlights came off with the grille. the lights worked before taking it off, finished painting it, went to put it back on, tested them before completely bolting it back on and nothing. I have an LMC HD headlight harness in it. I am clueless as to what it may be since the harness worked fine before hand.... maybe i messed up a connection while doing it??? i cleaned up the hot wire and hit all the headlight plugs with electronic cleaner and redid all the grounds and nothing. anyway let me know what you guys think i also posted this in electrical, i need to figure this out to get it back on the road thanks

06-25-2010, 10:07 PM	#2
ConnDemned Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Spanaway, WA Posts: 103	Re: headlight problems Do the headlights ground to the grille or to the truck body/frame? If it grounds to the grille and you didn't have it bolted up the circuit might not of been complete. Try it after bolting it up, it only takes a few bolts to mount it.

06-25-2010, 10:08 PM	#3
jonzcustomshop 1961 crewcab Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: missoula, mt Posts: 6,164	Re: headlight problems this happened to me the other day, the headlights ground to the grille, and the grille grounds to the front clip. I had everything all painted up and there was no contact for a ground, and i did the same thing as you did not have the grille bolted tight, as soon as i tightened everything up the lights worked again. __________________ 60 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=280904 61 crew build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=646830 63 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=336537 64 'burb build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=448681 65 'burb build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=590715 65 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=281955

06-25-2010, 10:33 PM	#4
McC_65_91 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: East Quogue, NY Posts: 198	Re: headlight problems havent tried it yet but that has to be it... makes soo much sense, thanks for making me feel dumb hahaha

06-25-2010, 10:38 PM	#6
markeb01 Senior Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Spokane Valley, WA Posts: 8,356	Re: headlight problems A better and more permanent solution would be to reroute the ground wire from the headlight bulbs direct to either the engine block or the frame. Depending on multiple sheet metal connections for electrical ground wasn't very effective when new. After 45-50 years of use, dirt, and rust it's a reasonably unreliable method. __________________ My Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444502

06-25-2010, 10:41 PM	#7
protrash64 Resistance is Futile Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mesa,Arizona Posts: 3,520	Re: headlight problems I had my connector come loose after installing a new grill. It's located on the core support near the horn......same thing, no headlites. __________________ 64 CHEVY PICK-UP > http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...otrash+re-hash 64 CARRYALL >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1964+suburban 66 LB >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=427852 STRENGTH/DETERMINATION/MERCILESS/FOREVER .......posted via stationary device



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