headlights quit working - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

oldcarbuff · 09-12-2003, 10:33 AM

I was driving home last night, when my headlights both cut out (and stayed out). I have running lights, turn signals, brake lights, dome lights, and dash lights, but NO headlights. I had to get home like a moonshine runner--by the light of the moon.

So--what is the most likely culprit--headlight switch, both lights blowing out at once (seems doubtful), headight relay? I am not good at sorting out electrical stuff, so any input would be greatly appreciated. It is a 67 C10 longstep with a straight six.

Thanks!

OCB

p.s. this comes during the same week that the rebuilt starter I put on my 63 impala wagon (last week) developed a dead short and burned through the battery cable end. sheesh.

tom hand · 09-12-2003, 10:41 AM

I would check the dimmer switch on the floor

SWINGSAX68 · 09-12-2003, 10:51 AM

ditto on the floor switch, turn on your lights and start switching, see if it changes anything. this was a problem that occured with me.

Hugger · 09-12-2003, 10:57 AM

Dimmer switch was the problem for me as well. Tap on it, and they will probably come back on.

oldcarbuff · 09-12-2003, 12:01 PM

Thanks guys--tromping the dimmer gets me brights, but no dims--is this the dimmer switch going bad?
OCB

Mudder · 09-12-2003, 12:29 PM

Change it!

mrein3 · 09-12-2003, 12:42 PM

I had your EXACT same problem. Hi-beams but no low. I lifted the floor mat up and found furry connections to the dimmer switch. After I cleaned them up my low-beams magically came back.
So don't buy a new switch just yet.

Longhorn Man · 09-12-2003, 10:00 PM

Agreed, switch or harness plug at the switch.
They didn't start useing a relay for the headlights untill the 80's. But if you know how to wire them up, they will get you head lights that are quite a bit brighter.

67 LWB · 09-12-2003, 10:19 PM

this just happened to me 2 days ago. It was the dimmer switch crapped out after about 1-2 years. Oh well only $4 at the local checker

71elect · 09-13-2003, 01:20 AM

Got to agree with the everone else about the dimmer switch. Mine puked out on me last week! It left me with only the high beams. I checked it out with my volt/ohmeter and sure enough that was it. Changed it out and no problems since. But can't complain, after all 30+ years of service is pretty good.

Josh

Jemost 72 · 09-13-2003, 01:58 AM

I'll agree with dimmer switch...but here's an interesting gremlin for future reference--soon after I bought my truck, I'd be driving down the road and the headlamps would go off for a second or 2 or 3 then come back on. I figured headlight switch, replaced it, still happened. Next replaced dimmer switch, still happened. Sometimes when turning, sometimes when hittin a bump in the road, or sometimes just driving down a straight flat road. No real pinpointed time.
Well it finally had me stumped, every1 said to check the wires. I located a single wire, that should have been in the plastic wire cover on top of the radiator, had came out of the cover and was pinched between the radiator and upper driver side radiator support..it was pinched thru the wire coating and grounding out. I guess someone had tightened down the support while the wire was out........hth

cwilli84 · 09-13-2003, 08:38 AM

Also check the plug at the fire wall > i had this problem in a 64 chevelle and my dad came out and fiddle withthe firewal connection and it worked.

oldcarbuff · 09-15-2003, 11:56 AM

Thanks lots guys--it was indeed the dimmer switch. less than $5 and I was on the road, well lit!

I was also lucky on my car--battery cable had got too close the the exhaust and grounded out, a new cable, and I was back in action with the impala too. I was glad to avoid pulling the starter again.

OCB

nothing like a big red, 60's vehicle to get you were you are going.

09-12-2003, 10:33 AM	#1
oldcarbuff Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Muncie, IN U.S.A. Posts: 60	headlights quit working I was driving home last night, when my headlights both cut out (and stayed out). I have running lights, turn signals, brake lights, dome lights, and dash lights, but NO headlights. I had to get home like a moonshine runner--by the light of the moon. So--what is the most likely culprit--headlight switch, both lights blowing out at once (seems doubtful), headight relay? I am not good at sorting out electrical stuff, so any input would be greatly appreciated. It is a 67 C10 longstep with a straight six. Thanks! OCB p.s. this comes during the same week that the rebuilt starter I put on my 63 impala wagon (last week) developed a dead short and burned through the battery cable end. sheesh.

09-12-2003, 10:41 AM	#2
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	I would check the dimmer switch on the floor __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

09-12-2003, 10:51 AM	#3
SWINGSAX68 Now the others dig........ Join Date: May 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,520	ditto on the floor switch, turn on your lights and start switching, see if it changes anything. this was a problem that occured with me. __________________ 68 Chevy C10 Stepside Black Primer 78 GMC Longbed White 09 Chevy Silverado Shortbed Granite Blue *LOOKING FOR A 67 4 DOOR IMPALA!!!Just like Sam and Dean Winchester!! 'Cause Mustangs are for p^#$ and you can fit a body in the trunk of a 67 Impala* MEMBER OF THE DRUM BRAKE CLUB Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies Texas State University-San Marcos, TX Certified Music Educator I hope Mom is up there watching and being my Guardian Angel "I've got a fever.....and the only prescription.....IS MORE COW BELL" -The Legendary: Bruce Dickenson "F#$@ 'em up!!!!!!" -The Legendary: Rogelio Escobar TRUCKY LINKS** http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=457750 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=461184 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=472848 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=417541 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=477788

09-12-2003, 10:57 AM	#4
Hugger Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 137	Dimmer switch was the problem for me as well. Tap on it, and they will probably come back on. __________________ 72 LWB - Hugger Orange 350/350 3.73 Next; 335hp GM Crate

09-12-2003, 12:42 PM	#7
mrein3 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Center City, MN, USA Posts: 3,253	I had your EXACT same problem. Hi-beams but no low. I lifted the floor mat up and found furry connections to the dimmer switch. After I cleaned them up my low-beams magically came back. So don't buy a new switch just yet. __________________ '70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN

09-12-2003, 12:01 PM	#5
oldcarbuff Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Muncie, IN U.S.A. Posts: 60	Thanks guys--tromping the dimmer gets me brights, but no dims--is this the dimmer switch going bad? OCB

09-12-2003, 12:29 PM	#6
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Change it!

09-12-2003, 10:00 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Agreed, switch or harness plug at the switch. They didn't start useing a relay for the headlights untill the 80's. But if you know how to wire them up, they will get you head lights that are quite a bit brighter.

09-12-2003, 10:19 PM	#9
67 LWB Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: COLORADO SPRINGS Posts: 102	this just happened to me 2 days ago. It was the dimmer switch crapped out after about 1-2 years. Oh well only $4 at the local checker __________________ '67 C10 LWB FLEETSIDE, WEAK 305 , TH400, 3.73 REAR COLORADO SPRINGS, CO.

09-13-2003, 01:20 AM	#10
71elect Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Southern Idaho Posts: 59	Got to agree with the everone else about the dimmer switch. Mine puked out on me last week! It left me with only the high beams. I checked it out with my volt/ohmeter and sure enough that was it. Changed it out and no problems since. But can't complain, after all 30+ years of service is pretty good. Josh __________________ 72Chevy swb 4x4 71GMC swb 2x4

09-13-2003, 01:58 AM	#11
Jemost 72 Southern Bowties Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 240	I'll agree with dimmer switch...but here's an interesting gremlin for future reference--soon after I bought my truck, I'd be driving down the road and the headlamps would go off for a second or 2 or 3 then come back on. I figured headlight switch, replaced it, still happened. Next replaced dimmer switch, still happened. Sometimes when turning, sometimes when hittin a bump in the road, or sometimes just driving down a straight flat road. No real pinpointed time. Well it finally had me stumped, every1 said to check the wires. I located a single wire, that should have been in the plastic wire cover on top of the radiator, had came out of the cover and was pinched between the radiator and upper driver side radiator support..it was pinched thru the wire coating and grounding out. I guess someone had tightened down the support while the wire was out........hth __________________ 1972 Cheyenne 350/350

09-13-2003, 08:38 AM	#12
cwilli84 1FINE69 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Detroit, Michigan Posts: 239	Also check the plug at the fire wall > i had this problem in a 64 chevelle and my dad came out and fiddle withthe firewal connection and it worked. __________________ Had a 69 swb fleetside 350zz3 w 400turbo trans oak lined bed with rhino coated sides red exterior. SOLD

09-15-2003, 11:56 AM	#13
oldcarbuff Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Muncie, IN U.S.A. Posts: 60	Thanks lots guys--it was indeed the dimmer switch. less than $5 and I was on the road, well lit! I was also lucky on my car--battery cable had got too close the the exhaust and grounded out, a new cable, and I was back in action with the impala too. I was glad to avoid pulling the starter again. OCB nothing like a big red, 60's vehicle to get you were you are going.



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