Before I dig into this, any suggestions? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

92470 · 01-23-2010, 04:35 PM

I have a 87' V10 with dual headlights. I turned on the high beams and both light came on the driver side, and on the passenger side, only the upper light came on, and the bottom is extremely dim. When I turn on my passenger side turn signal with high beams on, the top turns very dim and the bottom flat goes out. To add to this, the left turn signal indicator on my dash comes on without flashing when high beams are on, without turning it on. I am just wondering if I should start looking under the dash, or under the hood.

I know electrical gremlins are tough to trace, but just wondered if anyone had a clue what might cause this before I start digging into it. Thanks!

Prong · 01-23-2010, 04:49 PM

Clean all your grounds first and see where that takes you (pretty far I bet).

92470 · 01-23-2010, 05:47 PM

I appreciate the suggestion, but no luck. Cleaned the gound on the frame and radiator support. I also just noticed with the lights off, when the left turn signal is turned on, it blinks very slowly and you can see the filimant in the lower light barely light up every time it blinks. This is with the lights off. And now, the whole passener side doesn't work at all. Top or bottom light! This is aggravating.

MR .T · 01-23-2010, 06:54 PM

sounds like a bad ground to me. Its tring to ground through a different circuit.

92470 · 01-23-2010, 07:12 PM

Any advice on what grounds I should check? Only 2 I know of that would affect those lights would be the one on the frame and the one on the support near the radiator. Those are the only ones I know of and I guess I could send them again? Any I am missing? I hope it's just a ground. That's an easy fix.

dan76 · 01-23-2010, 07:38 PM

Take a look at the wiring diagram in a Haynes. There are other grounds. Additionally check the lamp connections and bulbs for good contact.

glock35ipsc · 01-23-2010, 07:59 PM

There will be a ground coming out of the harness near the headlights on each side, and they both ground to the rad support. I think the one on the pass side also splits off and runs to the frame. From the wacky things you describe, I am 99.9999% sure this is a ground issue.

smashingchuck · 01-23-2010, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

From the wacky things you describe, I am 99.9999% sure this is a ground issue.

Me too. I have experienced the problems you describe... it was the ground.

01-23-2010, 04:35 PM	#1
92470 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maple Grove, MN Posts: 149	Before I dig into this, any suggestions? I have a 87' V10 with dual headlights. I turned on the high beams and both light came on the driver side, and on the passenger side, only the upper light came on, and the bottom is extremely dim. When I turn on my passenger side turn signal with high beams on, the top turns very dim and the bottom flat goes out. To add to this, the left turn signal indicator on my dash comes on without flashing when high beams are on, without turning it on. I am just wondering if I should start looking under the dash, or under the hood. I know electrical gremlins are tough to trace, but just wondered if anyone had a clue what might cause this before I start digging into it. Thanks!

01-23-2010, 04:49 PM	#2
Prong Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: CO Posts: 474	Re: Before I dig into this, any suggestions? Clean all your grounds first and see where that takes you (pretty far I bet).

01-23-2010, 05:47 PM	#3
92470 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maple Grove, MN Posts: 149	Re: Before I dig into this, any suggestions? I appreciate the suggestion, but no luck. Cleaned the gound on the frame and radiator support. I also just noticed with the lights off, when the left turn signal is turned on, it blinks very slowly and you can see the filimant in the lower light barely light up every time it blinks. This is with the lights off. And now, the whole passener side doesn't work at all. Top or bottom light! This is aggravating.

01-23-2010, 06:54 PM	#4
MR .T Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada Posts: 94	Re: Before I dig into this, any suggestions? sounds like a bad ground to me. Its tring to ground through a different circuit.

01-23-2010, 07:12 PM	#5
92470 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maple Grove, MN Posts: 149	Re: Before I dig into this, any suggestions? Any advice on what grounds I should check? Only 2 I know of that would affect those lights would be the one on the frame and the one on the support near the radiator. Those are the only ones I know of and I guess I could send them again? Any I am missing? I hope it's just a ground. That's an easy fix.

01-23-2010, 07:38 PM	#6
dan76 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Salt Lake City UT Posts: 441	Re: Before I dig into this, any suggestions? Take a look at the wiring diagram in a Haynes. There are other grounds. Additionally check the lamp connections and bulbs for good contact.

01-23-2010, 07:59 PM	#7
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,685	Re: Before I dig into this, any suggestions? There will be a ground coming out of the harness near the headlights on each side, and they both ground to the rad support. I think the one on the pass side also splits off and runs to the frame. From the wacky things you describe, I am 99.9999% sure this is a ground issue. __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE



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