HeadLights dont work - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

nroden · 10-20-2002, 09:28 PM

Well headlights aren't working now. The side lights and taillights are all comeing on. Fuses all look good in the fuse panel. The switch probably hasn't been on 15-20 times and isnt for the a year and 1/.2 old. The sealed beams are new. I am suspecting ground.... how are the headlights grounded. Thanks guys.

**68 Stepside** · 10-20-2002, 09:41 PM

check the dimmer switch on the floor...hit it with your foot a few times, they can cause odd things like that to happen....also make sure the wiring is plugged in.

TJ

C-17RC-51 · 10-20-2002, 10:04 PM

definately check the dimmer switch on the floor. I had the same problem. On mine the wiring harness by the switch was melted an the when i shook the wires the headlights came on. I also put new headlights in and the drivers side wasn't working after playing with the floor switch. I walked up front and tapped on the light and it started working. I think my harness on the bulb is AFU also. I'm going to rewire mine.

Longhorn Man · 10-20-2002, 11:18 PM

Your head lights are grounded directly to the rad support.
I agree about the dimmer switch. If kicking it don't help, then pull the carpet back, unplug it, and inspect the (probably) corroded terminals.

cableguy0 · 10-21-2002, 12:30 AM

the headlight plugs themselves like to crap out too. most auto parts stores carry new end to splice in. if they end up being the problem just use quality connectors and shrink sleeve to weatherproof the connection

Hooter · 10-21-2002, 01:09 AM

there is a fusable link near the switch behind the dash I think because there was one on my 70 monte carlo. Took me along time to track it down. If no fusable link most likely the dimmer switch those things always crap out at the wrong time

70c10 · 10-21-2002, 08:01 AM

Check the passenger side top core support. Sand down to bare metal where it is bolted or screwed in and reconnect.

guitarman · 10-21-2002, 09:22 AM

My vote the dimmer switch. They have them at Auto Zone for less than $4.00

nroden · 10-21-2002, 11:33 PM

Got it fixed. Got a new dimmer switch at Lafaytte County Auto Center (NAPA) for $9.49. After I took it off and tried the new one I put the old one back on and it worked... even thought I had made sure everything was tight and hit it a couple times before. So I put the new one back on and will keep the old one for an emergency. It looked pretty corroded on its underside and on the terminals. I did go ahead and clean my ground before I bought the new dimmer switch.

10-20-2002, 09:28 PM	#1
nroden Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 1,098	HeadLights dont work Well headlights aren't working now. The side lights and taillights are all comeing on. Fuses all look good in the fuse panel. The switch probably hasn't been on 15-20 times and isnt for the a year and 1/.2 old. The sealed beams are new. I am suspecting ground.... how are the headlights grounded. Thanks guys. __________________ Nick Rodenberg 72 Cheyenne 10 V8 350/TH350 white/ochre/white/ochre, ochre/saddle interior Retired and in the dry... still runs. I now drive Red '01 Ford Focus... better MPG!!!

10-20-2002, 09:41 PM	#2
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,692	check the dimmer switch on the floor...hit it with your foot a few times, they can cause odd things like that to happen....also make sure the wiring is plugged in. TJ __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

10-20-2002, 10:04 PM	#3
C-17RC-51 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Bonaire, Ga Posts: 7	definately check the dimmer switch on the floor. I had the same problem. On mine the wiring harness by the switch was melted an the when i shook the wires the headlights came on. I also put new headlights in and the drivers side wasn't working after playing with the floor switch. I walked up front and tapped on the light and it started working. I think my harness on the bulb is AFU also. I'm going to rewire mine. __________________ '70 C10 Longbed, 3-speed, 250 six banger surrounded by drums. Does it get any worse than this? Oh yeah... and I can see through the floor!

10-21-2002, 12:30 AM	#5
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	the headlight plugs themselves like to crap out too. most auto parts stores carry new end to splice in. if they end up being the problem just use quality connectors and shrink sleeve to weatherproof the connection __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

10-21-2002, 01:09 AM	#6
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	there is a fusable link near the switch behind the dash I think because there was one on my 70 monte carlo. Took me along time to track it down. If no fusable link most likely the dimmer switch those things always crap out at the wrong time __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

10-20-2002, 11:18 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Your head lights are grounded directly to the rad support. I agree about the dimmer switch. If kicking it don't help, then pull the carpet back, unplug it, and inspect the (probably) corroded terminals.

10-21-2002, 08:01 AM	#7
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Check the passenger side top core support. Sand down to bare metal where it is bolted or screwed in and reconnect. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

10-21-2002, 09:22 AM	#8
guitarman Do it well or don't do it Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Georgia Posts: 457	My vote the dimmer switch. They have them at Auto Zone for less than $4.00 __________________ Try to be the person your dog thinks you are. Excellent paint and body site: http://www.autobody101.com/ Visit my Web Site http://home.attbi.com/~agfosteriii

10-21-2002, 11:33 PM	#9
nroden Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 1,098	Got it fixed. Got a new dimmer switch at Lafaytte County Auto Center (NAPA) for $9.49. After I took it off and tried the new one I put the old one back on and it worked... even thought I had made sure everything was tight and hit it a couple times before. So I put the new one back on and will keep the old one for an emergency. It looked pretty corroded on its underside and on the terminals. I did go ahead and clean my ground before I bought the new dimmer switch. __________________ Nick Rodenberg 72 Cheyenne 10 V8 350/TH350 white/ochre/white/ochre, ochre/saddle interior Retired and in the dry... still runs. I now drive Red '01 Ford Focus... better MPG!!!

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