Author Topic: 80's headlight switch in a 1937 Chevy truck  (Read 2290 times)

Offline Rattler12

  • Registered Users
  • *
  • Posts: 219
  • Old Geezer
80's headlight switch in a 1937 Chevy truck
« on: May 10, 2017, 10:33:30 PM »
Some help needed here guys. I am trying to retro fit a new 80's chevy square body headlight switch with connector to my 37 chevy truck. When I hooked it up to the lighting system all I get are headlights in the full on position. No dash lights, no taillights, no running lights, no dome light ....nothing either in the first position or the headlight position. With the switch removed from the harness I can pigtail the hot wire from the harness to running lights and they work, to dash lights and they work dome light and it works. I had another switch and harness out of a 66 GMC which is very similar and was used in another hot rod application and everything worked fine in that application except that the front marker lights were on a separate circuit and when the switch was fully opened to headlights the front park lights went out which was normal for pre 68.  I tried that switch and the park lights worked as they did in the 66 and the headlights came on but no rear taillights or running lights. I put a cheap universal  HL switch in and everything works fine. I've tried grounding the 2 factory switches with a separate ground and nothing. I am at a loss as to what the problem is. I'd rather use a factory switch in lieu of the universal. I guess it's possible I have two malfunctioning switches but highly improbable. As I said the 66 switch worked fine for all lights in another application ????????
« Last Edit: May 11, 2017, 12:47:45 AM by bd »
83 C-10 shorty 454, 5spd, 3:73 posi

Offline bd

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6450
Re: 80's headlight switch in a 1937 Chevy truck
« Reply #1 on: May 11, 2017, 01:04:17 AM »
Remember this?



Fusible link protected B+ for the headlamps is supplied to the terminal circled in RED.

Fused B+ for the running lights and instrument lights is supplied to the terminal circled in ORANGE.

YELLOW is switched power out to the headlamp dimmer switch.  GREEN is rheostat controlled power out to the redundant instrument lamps fuse and instrument lamps.  BROWN is switched power out to the exterior running lights.
« Last Edit: March 06, 2019, 10:20:42 PM by bd »
Rich
It's difficult to know just how much you don't know until you know it.
In other words... if people learn by making mistakes, by now I should know just about everything!!!
87 R10 Silverado Fleetside 355 MPFI 700R4 3.42 Locker (aka Rusty, aka Mater)

Offline Rattler12

  • Registered Users
  • *
  • Posts: 219
  • Old Geezer
Re: 80's headlight switch in a 1937 Chevy truck
« Reply #2 on: May 11, 2017, 08:20:25 AM »
Thank you........I was unaware Orange was also power to the running and tail lights. I thought it supplied power to the dome light only. I thought all power to the switch went through the red.....kudos 
83 C-10 shorty 454, 5spd, 3:73 posi

Offline Rattler12

  • Registered Users
  • *
  • Posts: 219
  • Old Geezer
Re: 80's headlight switch in a 1937 Chevy truck
« Reply #3 on: May 11, 2017, 01:32:42 PM »
Thanks again BD......works like a charm
83 C-10 shorty 454, 5spd, 3:73 posi

Offline bd

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6450
Re: 80's headlight switch in a 1937 Chevy truck
« Reply #4 on: May 11, 2017, 01:55:31 PM »
You're welcome.
Rich
It's difficult to know just how much you don't know until you know it.
In other words... if people learn by making mistakes, by now I should know just about everything!!!
87 R10 Silverado Fleetside 355 MPFI 700R4 3.42 Locker (aka Rusty, aka Mater)