Is there anything that can cause one side of the trucks lights to be dimmer. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ubtripn · 06-26-2011, 09:48 AM

On my drivers side the headlight, brake light and turn signal on the drivers side are dimmer?

mpotts64 · 06-26-2011, 09:54 AM

check the ground, it happened to one of my trucks, I believe it was the purple striped wire that was not connected, grounded it to the radiator support and no more problem

LONGHAIR · 06-26-2011, 09:59 AM

2nd on ground.

68gmsee · 06-26-2011, 10:19 AM

X3 on grounding.

Dirty or corroded grounding is a big issue with these older trucks. Straps became corroded and broke off and some never re-installed when making repairs. Used to be that the mounting bolts served to help ground the truck but rust and dirt has made them lose their contact.

On my truck I installed 4 or 5 straps -engine to cab, bed to frame, the frame back to the cab. I placed one from the radiator support to the battery but one to the frame should be adequate. Lost all of my gremlins.

cdowns · 06-26-2011, 10:21 AM

all electrical connections need to b clean and shiny to work properly

if you're in a boat dont run aground anytime else it's a good way to solve problems

71swb4x4 · 06-26-2011, 10:21 AM

Not to beat this into the ground but I agree with everyone else.

bosco200 · 06-26-2011, 11:25 AM

^^^ All of those answers.

ubtripn · 06-26-2011, 12:29 PM

Thanks guys, I will do all of that. =)

ubtripn · 06-26-2011, 01:16 PM

My battery negative cable mounts on the front of my intake mainfold. That one is clean but I wil go all the way through all of them and clean, fix and add to it if needed.

71swb4x4 · 06-26-2011, 02:36 PM

Check the grounds at the firewall that go from the block to the firewall.
An easy fix would be to run a ground from the negative battery post to the core support, but replacing the factory grounding points would look better.

ubtripn · 06-26-2011, 03:14 PM

Awesome, thanks. Good grounding will be my next day off project.

06-26-2011, 09:48 AM	#1
ubtripn Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,280	Is there anything that can cause one side of the trucks lights to be dimmer. On my drivers side the headlight, brake light and turn signal on the drivers side are dimmer?

06-26-2011, 09:54 AM	#2
mpotts64 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Texarkana, AR Posts: 123	Re: Is there anything that can cause one side of the trucks lights to be dimmer. check the ground, it happened to one of my trucks, I believe it was the purple striped wire that was not connected, grounded it to the radiator support and no more problem __________________ No one ever fell to the top of a mountain. When asked why I work on old trucks, I tell them: Been married 27 years, sons are pretty much gone, don't like the wife anymore and don't have a girlfriend, so, gotta do something, the old trucks are cheaper and less drama than a girlfriend -

06-26-2011, 10:19 AM	#4
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Is there anything that can cause one side of the trucks lights to be dimmer. X3 on grounding. Dirty or corroded grounding is a big issue with these older trucks. Straps became corroded and broke off and some never re-installed when making repairs. Used to be that the mounting bolts served to help ground the truck but rust and dirt has made them lose their contact. On my truck I installed 4 or 5 straps -engine to cab, bed to frame, the frame back to the cab. I placed one from the radiator support to the battery but one to the frame should be adequate. Lost all of my gremlins.

06-26-2011, 10:21 AM	#5
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Is there anything that can cause one side of the trucks lights to be dimmer. all electrical connections need to b clean and shiny to work properly if you're in a boat dont run aground anytime else it's a good way to solve problems __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY Last edited by cdowns; 06-26-2011 at 10:23 AM.

06-26-2011, 10:21 AM	#6
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: Is there anything that can cause one side of the trucks lights to be dimmer. Not to beat this into the ground but I agree with everyone else. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

06-26-2011, 11:25 AM	#7
bosco200 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ste. Genevieve, MO Posts: 526	Re: Is there anything that can cause one side of the trucks lights to be dimmer. ^^^ All of those answers.

06-26-2011, 12:29 PM	#8
ubtripn Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,280	Re: Is there anything that can cause one side of the trucks lights to be dimmer. Thanks guys, I will do all of that. =)

06-26-2011, 01:16 PM	#9
ubtripn Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,280	Re: Is there anything that can cause one side of the trucks lights to be dimmer. My battery negative cable mounts on the front of my intake mainfold. That one is clean but I wil go all the way through all of them and clean, fix and add to it if needed.

06-26-2011, 02:36 PM	#10
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: Is there anything that can cause one side of the trucks lights to be dimmer. Check the grounds at the firewall that go from the block to the firewall. An easy fix would be to run a ground from the negative battery post to the core support, but replacing the factory grounding points would look better. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

06-26-2011, 03:14 PM	#11
ubtripn Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,280	Re: Is there anything that can cause one side of the trucks lights to be dimmer. Awesome, thanks. Good grounding will be my next day off project.



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