What Happened to my Headlights??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

OldSkool71 · 11-19-2003, 11:01 PM

I was driving home tonite and my headlights worked just fine and have been. Now I go out to take off and they are not working. They don't come on and now the the high beam light is on too, what the f$%k? Any help would be appreciated.

thanks, Ron

GMC JUNKIE TOO · 11-19-2003, 11:16 PM

sometimes the headlites on my truck wont come on unless i jiggle the knob, I think the switch is going out. Im not shur what could cause the hibeams to come on by themselves.

frogsmakr · 11-19-2003, 11:24 PM

theres a recent post about lites. Seems the dimmer switch......on the floor.....is usually to blame.

Longhorn Man · 11-20-2003, 12:56 AM

Yup, dimmer switch gets lots of mud and water on them over the years. Try kicking it from the side.
Next time you get a chance (or if kicking it don't work) then pull back the carpet and unplug the wires. You'll see whats up as soon as you look at the pathetic connection.

cheatham · 11-20-2003, 01:11 AM

Dimmer switch, dimmer switch, dimmer switch....:p

OldSkool71 · 11-20-2003, 01:54 AM

Thanks all, I will have to take a look at the dimmer switch. I tried to push it on/off but it didn't do anything. I'll let ya know if that was the problem.

thanks again.

P.S. what would I do without this board.....

Someone remind me how to contribute and post an avatar. I don't have a pic picked out yet, but need to know how to post it would help.

jimfulco · 11-20-2003, 04:19 AM

About 15 years ago I had a dimmer switch that refused to click on & off. I bent the little red tube from a can of WD-40 & sprayed underneath the "cap" of the switch with Break-Free CLP. It started working again & it still works now.

OldSkool71 · 11-21-2003, 05:01 PM

Ok, so I tried wacking the dimmer switch nada. I also unpluged it and tried a jumper wire still no headlight. Like I said when the headlight switch is pulled out in the on position for the headlights im getting no headlights and the highbeam indicatior light is now on. When I did unplug the dimmer switch the highbeam indicator light does go off but comes back on with I plug it in again. Does it sound the the headlight switch itself could be to blame? Not sure where to go from here...

*rickspickuppart* · 11-21-2003, 05:34 PM

sounds like a switch, and if you need send me a picture and I will convert it to the correct size for an avatar.

Shawn

bpmcgee · 11-21-2003, 05:36 PM

The high beam indicator being on sounds to me like a ground problem. But the other symptoms don't support that.

Have you checked out any voltages? Check for power at the fuse box, at the switch, at the headlight, etc.

Brian

OldSkool71 · 11-21-2003, 05:58 PM

Your not gonna believe this or maybe you will. I just went out and plugged the dimmer switch back in. I also wiggled the headlight plug to the headlight on the drivers side. Can't really get to the passenger side. Anyway I pull the headlight switch and the lights come on and the dimmer switch seems to be working properly as well. I love old junk. I must say when I bought this truck I did notice that the passenger side headlight is not as bright as the drivers side. I think there may be a ground problem there but not sure as was getting to that. What do you think and what should I check out?

bpmcgee · 11-21-2003, 06:01 PM

Ground problems always cause weird things. When I bought my truck I went through all the ground lugs. I took them off, cleaned around the hole, and re-installed them with dielectric grease to combat corrosion. Everything works great now!

Brian

OldSkool71 · 11-21-2003, 06:28 PM

well I got to the headlight plug on the passenger side and it just seemed to be a bad connections cuz i moved it and the light got brighter. Now everything seems to be back to normal, so far..

. I want to thank everyone who posted responses and appreciate all the input. I will be posting more soon of course.

thanks again...

Denny · 11-21-2003, 11:53 PM

I have used Corrosion X for years and it keeps headlight plugs and trailor wiring from corrosion. Its great on any type wire connectors. We used it at Southwestern Bell Telephone company on terminal lugs to prevent corrosion.

http://www.corrosionx.com/

11-19-2003, 11:01 PM	#1
OldSkool71 C/10 CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lakewood, CA Posts: 993	What Happened to my Headlights??? I was driving home tonite and my headlights worked just fine and have been. Now I go out to take off and they are not working. They don't come on and now the the high beam light is on too, what the f$%k? Any help would be appreciated. thanks, Ron __________________ -Ron-

11-20-2003, 01:11 AM	#5
cheatham I need a brake! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 474	Dimmer switch, dimmer switch, dimmer switch....:p __________________ JP MEMBER OF THE DISCS UP FRONT CLUB 1971 Chevy C10

11-20-2003, 01:54 AM	#6
OldSkool71 C/10 CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lakewood, CA Posts: 993	Thanks all, I will have to take a look at the dimmer switch. I tried to push it on/off but it didn't do anything. I'll let ya know if that was the problem. thanks again. P.S. what would I do without this board..... Someone remind me how to contribute and post an avatar. I don't have a pic picked out yet, but need to know how to post it would help. __________________ -Ron- Last edited by OldSkool71; 11-20-2003 at 01:56 AM.

11-21-2003, 05:01 PM	#8
OldSkool71 C/10 CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lakewood, CA Posts: 993	Ok, so I tried wacking the dimmer switch nada. I also unpluged it and tried a jumper wire still no headlight. Like I said when the headlight switch is pulled out in the on position for the headlights im getting no headlights and the highbeam indicatior light is now on. When I did unplug the dimmer switch the highbeam indicator light does go off but comes back on with I plug it in again. Does it sound the the headlight switch itself could be to blame? Not sure where to go from here... __________________ -Ron-

11-21-2003, 05:58 PM	#11
OldSkool71 C/10 CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lakewood, CA Posts: 993	Your not gonna believe this or maybe you will. I just went out and plugged the dimmer switch back in. I also wiggled the headlight plug to the headlight on the drivers side. Can't really get to the passenger side. Anyway I pull the headlight switch and the lights come on and the dimmer switch seems to be working properly as well. I love old junk. I must say when I bought this truck I did notice that the passenger side headlight is not as bright as the drivers side. I think there may be a ground problem there but not sure as was getting to that. What do you think and what should I check out? __________________ -Ron-

11-19-2003, 11:16 PM	#2
GMC JUNKIE TOO THE QUICKER FIXERUPER Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ok Posts: 615	sometimes the headlites on my truck wont come on unless i jiggle the knob, I think the switch is going out. Im not shur what could cause the hibeams to come on by themselves.

11-19-2003, 11:24 PM	#3
frogsmakr Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Sherwood AR Posts: 553	theres a recent post about lites. Seems the dimmer switch......on the floor.....is usually to blame.

11-20-2003, 12:56 AM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Yup, dimmer switch gets lots of mud and water on them over the years. Try kicking it from the side. Next time you get a chance (or if kicking it don't work) then pull back the carpet and unplug the wires. You'll see whats up as soon as you look at the pathetic connection.

11-20-2003, 04:19 AM	#7
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	About 15 years ago I had a dimmer switch that refused to click on & off. I bent the little red tube from a can of WD-40 & sprayed underneath the "cap" of the switch with Break-Free CLP. It started working again & it still works now.

11-21-2003, 05:34 PM	#9
rickspickuppart Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,284	sounds like a switch, and if you need send me a picture and I will convert it to the correct size for an avatar. Shawn

11-21-2003, 05:36 PM	#10
bpmcgee Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 2,181	The high beam indicator being on sounds to me like a ground problem. But the other symptoms don't support that. Have you checked out any voltages? Check for power at the fuse box, at the switch, at the headlight, etc. Brian

11-21-2003, 06:01 PM	#12
bpmcgee Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 2,181	Ground problems always cause weird things. When I bought my truck I went through all the ground lugs. I took them off, cleaned around the hole, and re-installed them with dielectric grease to combat corrosion. Everything works great now! Brian

11-21-2003, 06:28 PM	#13
OldSkool71 C/10 CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lakewood, CA Posts: 993	well I got to the headlight plug on the passenger side and it just seemed to be a bad connections cuz i moved it and the light got brighter. Now everything seems to be back to normal, so far.. . I want to thank everyone who posted responses and appreciate all the input. I will be posting more soon of course. thanks again... __________________ -Ron-

11-21-2003, 11:53 PM	#14
Denny Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Cedar Hill, MO Posts: 426	I have used Corrosion X for years and it keeps headlight plugs and trailor wiring from corrosion. Its great on any type wire connectors. We used it at Southwestern Bell Telephone company on terminal lugs to prevent corrosion. http://www.corrosionx.com/ __________________ 1969 Chevy C10. Dakota Digital Gauges, 383 Votex Engine, MSD 8361 Distributor, MSD 6A Unit, Demon Carb, Phoenix Transmission 4L80E trans, 3:73 Posi Rear End Early Classics 6 Lug Disc Brakes and Spindles All Stainless Lines

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