Headlights not working

[Grimmzda]

Ok, so i recently purchased a 72 Chevy C10 long bed. I'm having problems getting the headlights working. I replaced the headlights and the headlight switch. Still nothing. It doesn't seem to be getting power to the headlights. I've replaced all fuses and relays too. If anyone has had similar problems or any ideas any help will be appreciated. Thanks

[mrein3]

Check the plug on the dimmer switch

[Stocker]

x2, either the dimmer switch or its connector & wiring.

[cdowns]

probally the dimmer switch but check the ground wire for each bulb too

[franken]

Cycle the dimmer switch 20 times and the headlights will most likely start working.

[krcotter]

Took a while, but I had the same problem. Tracked it to a bad high-beam switch on the floor.

[Grimmzda]

Ok, so would it be a bad idea to piggyback my headlights off of my clearance light or turn signal constant? I have power through the firewall, but i lose it in my tangle of chopped up wires. Didnt know if piggybacking could be a fix for now or if it would be too mucb on that wire or not enough power for the headlight. I really appreciate all the help guys.

[leftybass209]

Piggybacking is a no-go. The wiring system is designed to carry current for only the items on a specific circuit. That's a great way to overheat things and create a rats nest of wiring later, with short to ground and short to power issues.

A dimmer switch is fairly inexpensive, less than the cost of an oil change these days.

[Grimmzda]

I had a feeling. Ill just get a dimmer switch tomorrow and pray thats my problem. Thanks again everyone!

[krcotter]

Rigging your wiring like that is like starting a crack habit. You'll say just this once, and it'll only be temporary. Pretty soon you'll have a spaghetti mess with wires tapping off the battery and all other kinds of nonsense. The guy you have to fix it will charge you double and start with a whole new wiring harness.

Trace the wire out and do it the right way the first time!

[VetteVet]

Originally Posted by Grimmzda

I had a feeling. Ill just get a dimmer switch tomorrow and pray thats my problem. Thanks again everyone!

It's very easy to check the dimmer switch.
Just pull the plug off of it and get a cotter key to jump the middle wire with either of the wires next to it as you turn on the headlight switch. If the headlights come on then it's the dimmer switch, if they don't then there is another problem. You should be jumping the larger blue wire to a tan wire
(low beams) or the green wire (high beams).

If the lights don't come on then check the large blue wire for power with the headlight switch on, if you have a test light or a voltmeter. If you do the jumper test and the headlights work then you won't need to check for power on the wire. If they don't work and there is no power on the blue wire then you probably have a bad headlight switch or the wiring to it is bad.


These two small wires go through the firewall plug directly to the left headlight plug and then to the right headlight plug. There is no fuse in the circuit to blow.

Some of the headlight switches have a circuit breaker installed to break the circuit in case of a short. I don't know if they all do or not.

[Bluegrain64]

Dimmer switch as other's have stated. Had the same issue on my 64 and 72. Tried everything except the dimmer switch! Turns out that was the culprit for both my trucks.

[Grimmzda]

It was the dimmer switch and new headlight bulbs! Thanks everyone for all the great help!