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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kansas and Iowa
Posts: 349
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Only front parking lights work. Need help.
Hello all,
I'm having an electrical issue. Only the front parking lights and the side marker lights work on my '71 C10. I have checked all the fuses with a test light (everything but the panel lights fuse is getting power), replaced all the bulbs (headlights, taillights, market lights), and I replaced the headlight switch and turn signal relay. I just wanted to rule out any of them being burnt out being a cause. I did notice that there are two wires running out of the area of the fuse box marked "fuel gauge". Also, there are two push knobs, a toggle switch, and a dial type knob (all aftermarket) on the instrument panel. I've included pictures of everything. I'm unsure of how to go about getting the lights to work. I've tried everything I can think of. Any and all suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks!
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White70C20 1970 Blue C20 - 250, 4 speed 1985 Ford Thunderbird 2005 Pontiac G6 |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Windsor,Ontario Canada
Posts: 255
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
I would start with a multi meter and check and make sure you are getting good 12v going into the switch. Should be a heavy red wire going into the switch. Some of the older....if not all GM vehicles, the park light was its own fuse and then the power for the headlight was "direct to the batterie" there is a built in circuit breaker in the headlamp switch to protect the wiring no fuse for headlights.
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kansas and Iowa
Posts: 349
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
Which switch are you wanting me to check?
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White70C20 1970 Blue C20 - 250, 4 speed 1985 Ford Thunderbird 2005 Pontiac G6 |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kansas and Iowa
Posts: 349
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
Also, I forgot to mention that the windshild wipers don't work either. Basically, the truck runs and that's about it.
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White70C20 1970 Blue C20 - 250, 4 speed 1985 Ford Thunderbird 2005 Pontiac G6 |
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#5 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Windsor,Ontario Canada
Posts: 255
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Quote:
Posted via Mobile Device |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kansas and Iowa
Posts: 349
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
Ok. I'll check tomorrow afternoon. Truck sits outside, so it's kind of hard to work on it in the evening.
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White70C20 1970 Blue C20 - 250, 4 speed 1985 Ford Thunderbird 2005 Pontiac G6 |
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#7 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Windsor,Ontario Canada
Posts: 255
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Quote:
It should help you see what wires should be going to what switches in the truck. At the very least you may be able to use it to check continuity and make sure you don't have any breaks. Posted via Mobile Device |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Central Pa
Posts: 25
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
Make sure you clean up your grounds. That did wonders for my lighting problems. You can find those in the wiring diagram, there are two in the radiator support, one ground strap from the valve cover to the cab, and one from the frame to the cab on the passenger side. Also make sure the battery ground cable has good contact.
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'71 Chevy C10, 250 straight six, 3 on the floor, long bed '70 Plymouth Duster, 340 small block, 4 on the floor, 3.55 ratio 8 3/4 rear "Rust is a major food group." "Burn 'em if you got 'em." |
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#9 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kansas and Iowa
Posts: 349
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
Quote:
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White70C20 1970 Blue C20 - 250, 4 speed 1985 Ford Thunderbird 2005 Pontiac G6 |
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#10 |
Eat, Sleep, Drive a Chevy
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: the town of the cow, Texas
Posts: 1,152
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
It sounds like you may have more than one problem, but I would try making some ground wires first. Make one or buy a short battery cable with eyes on each end, that goes from somewhere on the engine and take it to the frame. Make another that goes from the engine to the cab and another that goes from the engine to the core support.
After you are sure that you have these start with one problem at a time and go from there. I would take out all of the non factory pieces if you don't know their purpose. I would also check the dimmer switch.
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Trey Silence may be Golden, but Duct Tape is Silver! 72 Short Step 57 "big window" short step |
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#11 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kansas and Iowa
Posts: 349
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
Quote:
I'll be the first to admit that I don't know a whole lot about electricity, but I dp think it about has to be something that is already in/on the truck. I have attached a picture of what is at the ends of the two wires coming out of the fuel gauge area of the fuse block. I can't just remove them because one of them branches off and goes under the floor matting. I'm not trying to be rude, I really do appreciate the ideas and suggestions.
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White70C20 1970 Blue C20 - 250, 4 speed 1985 Ford Thunderbird 2005 Pontiac G6 |
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#12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
I like the way you spent the time and cleaned up the fuse box
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71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
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#13 | |
Eat, Sleep, Drive a Chevy
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: the town of the cow, Texas
Posts: 1,152
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
Quote:
The fact that you have several items not working and no fuses are blowing is a possible indication that you have grounding issues. Anyway whether or not the previous owner added or not any wiring or switches or grounds you should have a level starting point. Checking grounds is fundamental in checking for electrical problems. Then using the color electrical drawings found here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=185856 you can run down each problem one at a time. I would make a list of each problem you have and start marking them off one at a time. good luck
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Trey Silence may be Golden, but Duct Tape is Silver! 72 Short Step 57 "big window" short step |
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#14 |
Msgt USAF Ret
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Posts: 8,714
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
Yeah Cliff I noticed that too. That is the best candidate for a new wiring harness and fuse panel I've seen in awhile. I see a lot of corrosion on the fuse holders that could still be cleaned. There are several things that look a bit shaky. I don't know what that is hanging from the wire unless it's the dimmer switch.
Now we've got a new thread in this section which is against the forum rules and it creates confusion.
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VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative. |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kansas and Iowa
Posts: 349
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
OK, how is this against forum rules?
Fine! If the moderators agree with this guy then go ahead and delete this thread. I don't have the time to be cleaning up every single wire on this truck anyway.
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White70C20 1970 Blue C20 - 250, 4 speed 1985 Ford Thunderbird 2005 Pontiac G6 |
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#16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
ok then make do with the parking lights
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71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
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#17 | |
Msgt USAF Ret
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Posts: 8,714
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
.............
Quote:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=64&a=9 Read them all especially the no. XIV You can save yourself several thousand dollars by using the advice you'll get on here, but it takes some effort, a lot of effort. Just PM a moderator and ask them to merge this thread with the one on the electrical forum.
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VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative. |
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#18 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kansas and Iowa
Posts: 349
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
Quote:
Just please guys, do me a favor. Keep your suggestions cheap! The main reason I have this truck is because it was given to me. Thanks!
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White70C20 1970 Blue C20 - 250, 4 speed 1985 Ford Thunderbird 2005 Pontiac G6 |
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#19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
cheap is a piece of sandpaper and elbow grease cleaning but you dont seem to want to go thru that effort
maybe you'd b better off hiring somebody to clean and straighten your wires out for you(should only cost a thousand or so to have somebody do your dirty work)
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71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
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#20 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kansas and Iowa
Posts: 349
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
Quote:
As I said earlier, I have plenty of time. I don't have plenty of money. I want to do as much of the work myself as I can. I just cant afford a new wiring harness. I'll add ground straps if that's what needs to be done. I'm not opposed to hard work. I'll scrub each fuse contact with Emory cloth if that's what you guys recommend. I have been civil with you, and I expect the same in return.
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White70C20 1970 Blue C20 - 250, 4 speed 1985 Ford Thunderbird 2005 Pontiac G6 |
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#21 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
that is why I suggested you hire an electrician to work where you cant or don't want to do it
__________________
71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
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#22 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kansas and Iowa
Posts: 349
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
Quote:
His shop is twenty miles away. I hope I can make it there without any lights. Ha Ha.
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White70C20 1970 Blue C20 - 250, 4 speed 1985 Ford Thunderbird 2005 Pontiac G6 |
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#23 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: New River Arizona
Posts: 1,180
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
Did you test the headlamp plug with the lights on? You may just have a bad dimmer switch. Sometimes they get wet on the floor and get rusty connections.
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kansas and Iowa
Posts: 349
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
Are you talking about the plug at the headlight itself? I will check them tomorrow morning. The summer switch very well could be bad since there is a large hole in the floor.
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White70C20 1970 Blue C20 - 250, 4 speed 1985 Ford Thunderbird 2005 Pontiac G6 |
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#25 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: New River Arizona
Posts: 1,180
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Re: Only front parking lights work. Need help.
Yes turn on the headlamps and check the socket with 3 connectors on the headlamp. if there is power then the low or high beams could be bad . I have seen both bulbs go bad. But you also can see if there is power going in and coming out of the dimmer switch. If you have all but the headlamps it is a good bet the problem is between these 2 areas. Also make sure the ground is on the headlamp harness.
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