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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Electrical => Topic started by: larryd on April 01, 2013, 01:00:01 pm

Title: Lost my headlights
Post by: larryd on April 01, 2013, 01:00:01 pm
I have a trusty ole 83 GMC that is my wood hauler. I drove it yesterday and  found I had no headlights as it was getting dark coming from town. I have taillights and my turn signals work but when I pull my headlight switch all the way out I my left turn signal marker on my dask comes on and stays on if the switch is out all the way. My flashers also work too. Is this a bad headlight switch?. I also have a old non working floor dimmer switch as well. Could a faulty or shorted dimmer switch cause this?. any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Lost my headlights
Post by: bd on April 01, 2013, 04:26:28 pm
Use a test light and check for power at the dimmer switch with the headlights on.  If you have power, replace the dimmer switch that you said doesn't work and then check for power at the headlamps.  If you don't have power at the dimmer, check for power on the 'red' wire attaching to the headlamp switch.  If you have power there, replace the headlamp switch.  If not, trace the red wire back to and through the bulkhead connector.

And, clean the forward lamp grounds to the radiator support and the instrument cluster ground.
Title: Re: Lost my headlights
Post by: VileZambonie on April 01, 2013, 06:14:45 pm
I would actually verify you have B+ at the headlights with the switch on to start. Just backprobe the connector.
Title: Re: Lost my headlights
Post by: larryd on April 01, 2013, 06:26:22 pm
Thanks for points to start with. Realty appreciate it.
Title: Re: Lost my headlights
Post by: larryd on April 03, 2013, 08:44:40 pm
Tonight I found that the dimmer switch was bad. I had bought one a few months ago.
Thanks for help guys.