New switch still nuthin! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1STtimePRo'71 · 02-19-2005, 12:34 AM

Do your hi-lo beams work cause mine dont. I put a new kick switch in and I still got nuthin. My lights are on but when I stomp the switch they go out completely. No lights. What gives!

**oldiron** · 02-19-2005, 12:54 AM

If you have a test light check the terminals at the switch. The top one should be voltage in. The two lower ones should be the high beams and low beams. With the head light switch on check with the test light if you have current on the lower two terminals. If both have current (only one at a time) then you have a bad connection at the head lights. Also check and see if the ground wires at the head lights have a good connection to the body. Some times they get rusty and will not make a good ground.
Good luck

da-burb · 02-19-2005, 01:21 AM

my first guess would be a bad ground also. You have grounds at the headlight harness, passenger fender to frame, rear of engine to firewall, passenger front cab support to frame plus some grounds under the dash. Could be a combination of any of them. Good luck, it is never fun chasing the ground demons.

RIDDLA · 02-19-2005, 02:03 AM

well i had the same problem with mine it was my wires where they connect on the firewall the bolt was missing lol so i cleaned the connections now there working like champs Riddla

**kwmech** · 02-19-2005, 02:24 AM

Are you sure that the bulbs are good? Had a car in the shop about 6 months ago, newbie/trainee working on it with the same problem, both of the high beams were burned out.

1STtimePRo'71 · 02-19-2005, 02:42 AM

I replaced both of the headlights and the headlights work fine. Just the high beams dont work. With the high beam switch on, I still have marker lights and bumper lights. I replaced the headlights with the same ones that came factory on the truck. Fuses are good headlight grounds are good too. I'm still confused. Fuses, lamps, switch, all good. And when I put the new switch in, I had power there at that switch.

-Anything else a possibility?

sdkid · 02-19-2005, 01:03 PM

Maybe your dimmer switch is defect. I have had plenty of new parts like that at work. Bad part straight from the box.

ChevyDude · 02-19-2005, 01:27 PM

Also check the plugs that plug directly into the bulb itself. Mine was doing the same thing and the headlight plugs were all corroded...cleaned em up and fixed the problem.

1STtimePRo'71 · 02-19-2005, 03:03 PM

Where can I find new connectors for the headlight bulbs? I see that mine are having a hard time staying on. Kinda loose ya know? Is there a seperate headlight harness that I could just replace the whole thing with?

Thanks for the help so far, you guys truely are great helpers!

Gordo · 02-19-2005, 04:18 PM

Your local parts store should have a new plug with pig tails. I know NAPA does.

Robert1970C20rstbukt · 02-19-2005, 05:35 PM

I had the same problem but it was because I unplugged the wires at the dimmer switch to clean the dirt/grease that was inside 'em and when I went to hook 'em back up I didn't have it plugged in all the way.

I spent about 1 hour messing with the headlight switch and wiring before it hit me like a sack of manure.

02-19-2005, 12:34 AM	#1
1STtimePRo'71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lake Crystal, MN Posts: 656	New switch still nuthin! Do your hi-lo beams work cause mine dont. I put a new kick switch in and I still got nuthin. My lights are on but when I stomp the switch they go out completely. No lights. What gives! __________________ -Cory 1967 2 Wheel Chevy

02-19-2005, 12:54 AM	#2
oldiron Designated Grumpy Old Man Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: arlington, washington usa Posts: 3,094	If you have a test light check the terminals at the switch. The top one should be voltage in. The two lower ones should be the high beams and low beams. With the head light switch on check with the test light if you have current on the lower two terminals. If both have current (only one at a time) then you have a bad connection at the head lights. Also check and see if the ground wires at the head lights have a good connection to the body. Some times they get rusty and will not make a good ground. Good luck __________________ Never let the truth get in the way of a good story 71 Chev 1/2 ton 4X4 LWB Fleetside SOLD http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=361222 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LgREwtDfaA 68 Chev 1 ton flat bed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bO8szzlD4A 56 Chev Handyman Wagon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y-6ddpBTkM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbLzZ7zY8wA 56 Chev Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=410667 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoW0Ei7ZNIg

02-19-2005, 01:21 AM	#3
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	my first guess would be a bad ground also. You have grounds at the headlight harness, passenger fender to frame, rear of engine to firewall, passenger front cab support to frame plus some grounds under the dash. Could be a combination of any of them. Good luck, it is never fun chasing the ground demons. __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

02-19-2005, 02:03 AM	#4
RIDDLA Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Santa Fe NM Posts: 393	well i had the same problem with mine it was my wires where they connect on the firewall the bolt was missing lol so i cleaned the connections now there working like champs Riddla __________________ 68 GMC-Stripshow 70 Chevy Monte Carlo 72 Chevy Monte Carlo LOLO 72 Chevy Suburban Blurban 74 Vw Bug 78 Chevy k10 lwb 78 Chevy k10 swb 03 Cadillac Escalade-Duecesix 84 Cadillac Coupe Deville DeElegance B.O. A Lifestyle Money Cant Buy! Win,Lose, or Tie I'm a Raider till i die

02-19-2005, 02:42 AM	#6
1STtimePRo'71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lake Crystal, MN Posts: 656	I replaced both of the headlights and the headlights work fine. Just the high beams dont work. With the high beam switch on, I still have marker lights and bumper lights. I replaced the headlights with the same ones that came factory on the truck. Fuses are good headlight grounds are good too. I'm still confused. Fuses, lamps, switch, all good. And when I put the new switch in, I had power there at that switch. -Anything else a possibility? __________________ -Cory 1967 2 Wheel Chevy

02-19-2005, 02:24 AM	#5
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,628	Are you sure that the bulbs are good? Had a car in the shop about 6 months ago, newbie/trainee working on it with the same problem, both of the high beams were burned out.

02-19-2005, 01:03 PM	#7
sdkid Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pierre SD Posts: 1,533	Maybe your dimmer switch is defect. I have had plenty of new parts like that at work. Bad part straight from the box.

02-19-2005, 01:27 PM	#8
ChevyDude Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 3,071	Also check the plugs that plug directly into the bulb itself. Mine was doing the same thing and the headlight plugs were all corroded...cleaned em up and fixed the problem. __________________ Alex 1971 Lil' Red 350 SBC 700R4

02-19-2005, 03:03 PM	#9
1STtimePRo'71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lake Crystal, MN Posts: 656	Where can I find new connectors for the headlight bulbs? I see that mine are having a hard time staying on. Kinda loose ya know? Is there a seperate headlight harness that I could just replace the whole thing with? Thanks for the help so far, you guys truely are great helpers! __________________ -Cory 1967 2 Wheel Chevy

02-19-2005, 04:18 PM	#10
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Killingworth, CT. USA Posts: 3,378	Your local parts store should have a new plug with pig tails. I know NAPA does. __________________ 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.

02-19-2005, 05:35 PM	#11
Robert1970C20rstbukt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Beeville, Texas Posts: 1,943	I had the same problem but it was because I unplugged the wires at the dimmer switch to clean the dirt/grease that was inside 'em and when I went to hook 'em back up I didn't have it plugged in all the way. I spent about 1 hour messing with the headlight switch and wiring before it hit me like a sack of manure. __________________ RJD 1984 Chevrolet C30 welding truck 454/SM465 1977 GMC C15 pickup 350/TH350 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup 350/TH400 1970 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 454/TH350 1969 GMC 8500 478M V6/5 spd winch truck



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