Halp! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

krue · 06-14-2003, 03:21 PM

My dimmer switch quit working leaving me with only low beams.
I replaced dimmer switch and now no headlights! So I put old dimmer switch back in and STILL no headlights! Whadda I do?

greasemonkey · 06-14-2003, 03:23 PM

This might sound obvious, but check the fuses. They blow very easily if you pinch a wire or something.

krue · 06-14-2003, 03:26 PM

No blown fuses in fuse box. It was pretty much a "unplug and plug" type deal.

greasemonkey · 06-14-2003, 03:27 PM

Is it grounded? Most people here will agree that grounds cause the majority of electrical problems.

krue · 06-14-2003, 03:34 PM

I am gonna go hand over hand everything between lightning strikes, I appreciate any and all help!
Thanks, Krue

greasemonkey · 06-14-2003, 03:37 PM

Is it raining there too? It was pretty bad yesterday, but looks like it is clearing up now.
Sometimes you just have to pull everything apart and redo it. I did this on my new turn signal switch after it started blowing fuses. Turned out to be a pinched wire down in the column.
Good luck,
John

**old Rusty C10** · 06-14-2003, 04:55 PM

maybe when ya pulled out the old switch ya messed up the contacts in the wiring harness clean them good and make sure theres enough contact with em
also check the ground ont he switch and make sure there aint alot of rust where the bolt makes contact with the floor

cojnit · 06-14-2003, 05:01 PM

I thought that the headlamps were unfused. I have been looking for a wiring diagram to verify that.

**Stocker** · 06-14-2003, 05:09 PM

Nah, I think you'd be hard pressed to find an unprotected OEM electrical circuit in these trucks or in just about any other vehicle made in the past few decades.

Gordo · 06-14-2003, 05:34 PM

Headlight circuits are not fused, the headlight switch has a circuit breaker built in to protect the system. What condition is the plug and wiring that plugs into the dimmer switch? The wiring at that point may be coroded and not visable. With headlights turned on one of those three wires at the dimmer should be hot (12V).

krue · 06-14-2003, 06:45 PM

I got them working, I had to replace the dimmer switch plug and I have to wiggle the light switch to get them to work!

So that brings up another question, where can I buy a new headlight switch, and while I am at it I need a blower switch and resistor (Autogroan doesn't carry it.)

FRENCHBLUE72 · 06-14-2003, 07:21 PM

I got mine at the local napa (HEADLIGHT SWITCH ETC, ETC)

jef5150 · 06-14-2003, 10:24 PM

napa auto......wells part#sw141

krue · 06-14-2003, 10:34 PM

NAPA was shut, gotta wait 'til next Friday!

06-14-2003, 03:21 PM	#1
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Halp! My dimmer switch quit working leaving me with only low beams. I replaced dimmer switch and now no headlights! So I put old dimmer switch back in and STILL no headlights! Whadda I do? __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

06-14-2003, 03:23 PM	#2
greasemonkey Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pace, FL Posts: 2,155	This might sound obvious, but check the fuses. They blow very easily if you pinch a wire or something. __________________ 1942 Master Deluxe 1969 C/10 1985 Blazer CUCV 1987 Jimmy 2004 Tahoe 2005 Silverado 1500 2005 Silverado 3500

06-14-2003, 03:26 PM	#3
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	No blown fuses in fuse box. It was pretty much a "unplug and plug" type deal. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

06-14-2003, 03:27 PM	#4
greasemonkey Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pace, FL Posts: 2,155	Is it grounded? Most people here will agree that grounds cause the majority of electrical problems. __________________ 1942 Master Deluxe 1969 C/10 1985 Blazer CUCV 1987 Jimmy 2004 Tahoe 2005 Silverado 1500 2005 Silverado 3500

06-14-2003, 03:34 PM	#5
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	I am gonna go hand over hand everything between lightning strikes, I appreciate any and all help! Thanks, Krue __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

06-14-2003, 03:37 PM	#6
greasemonkey Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pace, FL Posts: 2,155	Is it raining there too? It was pretty bad yesterday, but looks like it is clearing up now. Sometimes you just have to pull everything apart and redo it. I did this on my new turn signal switch after it started blowing fuses. Turned out to be a pinched wire down in the column. Good luck, John __________________ 1942 Master Deluxe 1969 C/10 1985 Blazer CUCV 1987 Jimmy 2004 Tahoe 2005 Silverado 1500 2005 Silverado 3500

06-14-2003, 04:55 PM	#7
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	maybe when ya pulled out the old switch ya messed up the contacts in the wiring harness clean them good and make sure theres enough contact with em also check the ground ont he switch and make sure there aint alot of rust where the bolt makes contact with the floor __________________ 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!!

06-14-2003, 05:01 PM	#8
cojnit Nothing clever Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Kailua HI Posts: 828	headlamps I thought that the headlamps were unfused. I have been looking for a wiring diagram to verify that.

06-14-2003, 05:09 PM	#9
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,722	Nah, I think you'd be hard pressed to find an unprotected OEM electrical circuit in these trucks or in just about any other vehicle made in the past few decades. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

06-14-2003, 05:34 PM	#10
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Killingworth, CT. USA Posts: 3,378	Headlight circuits are not fused, the headlight switch has a circuit breaker built in to protect the system. What condition is the plug and wiring that plugs into the dimmer switch? The wiring at that point may be coroded and not visable. With headlights turned on one of those three wires at the dimmer should be hot (12V). __________________ 1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi (retired as of 4/22/03) 1998 S10 short bed 2002 S10 Blazer 1942 Oldsmobile 1958 Massey Harris Pony 1951 Wife Killingworth, Connecticut May those who love us, love us, any of those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts. And if God is unable to turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we may know them by their limping. A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.

06-14-2003, 06:45 PM	#11
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	I got them working, I had to replace the dimmer switch plug and I have to wiggle the light switch to get them to work! So that brings up another question, where can I buy a new headlight switch, and while I am at it I need a blower switch and resistor (Autogroan doesn't carry it.) __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

06-14-2003, 07:21 PM	#12
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	I got mine at the local napa (HEADLIGHT SWITCH ETC, ETC) __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

06-14-2003, 10:24 PM	#13
jef5150 Inline 69 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: valleysprings,california Posts: 1,018	napa auto......wells part#sw141

06-14-2003, 10:34 PM	#14
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	NAPA was shut, gotta wait 'til next Friday! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

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