87 parking lights won't work

[Jerr-conn]

When I pull light switch lever out, the tai lights come on. The front parking lights will not
Come on . Also, turn signals won't work either. Also, my door jamb switches don't work,
But am replacing them tomorrow. The interior light works with stalk switch. Could these
Door jam switches have anything to do with front parking lights not working?

[Captkaos]

Are you getting power to the parking lights?  Did you check power to or continuity on the door switches before replacing them?

[bd]

Adding to Captkaos' comments, if the front park and turn lights don't work, but the rear does, remove and check the front turn and parking lamp bulbs.  Make sure the forward looking lamps have 1157 dual contact bulbs and that they are installed correctly.  The 1157 bulbs correctly fit into their sockets only one way (notice that the indexing pins on the bulb bases are staggered from side-to-side).  The side marker lamps should have 194 bulbs that can be installed either way and function.  After you verify power to the lamps check the ground connections, including the ground jumper between the battery negative terminal and the radiator support.

[Jerr-conn]

Hey guys, thanks for giving me some direction. Today I replaced the door jam switches and they
Now work fine. But, the electrical gremlin is still there. I tried what was suggested. I have some
Dim running lights in front at times. I did have the pass parking light working for a few seconds, but that went away right away. I'm not good with electrIcal problems, but i will try all suggestions.
This is driving me nuts. Welcome all help. Thanks.    Jerry

[bd]

You have a 1987 truck, but what model?  The truck may have oxidized ground connections.  Disassemble and sand all of the black ground wire attachments for the front lights until you see shiny bare metal.  (Note that the front side marker lamps don't use a conventional ground attachment to the body.  Instead, they are wired across the hot side of the double filament bulbs for the forward looking park/turn lamps.  The front side marker bulbs actually ground through the filaments of the front lamps).  Next, remove the ground jumper wire that runs between the radiator support and the battery negative post and sand its connections the same way.  Reassemble all the wire connections to clean sheetmetal with a liberal coating of white lithium grease or dielectric grease. 

Have you verified 12 volts at the lamps using a voltmeter or test light?

[Jerr-conn]

My 87is a Silverado,short box, with the orig 350/700R4. 159k miles. Engine & trans have been rebuilt. Car has aftermarket grille, with park light lens riveted to grille frame. Today I'm gonna
Ck all ground wires . Also got prob with one head light. Move wire and it works. Will keep you
Informed.     Thanks.

[bd]

While you're checking the grounds make sure that none of the ground wires are broken inside the insulation where they attach to their terminals.  Give the wires a gentle tug to make sure that none of them stretch or pull loose from their terminals.

If there are connection problems between the harness plugs and the headlamps, unplug the connectors from the lamps and drench the contacts with WD-40.  Then plug them back onto the lamps, remove them again and repeat several times.  Doing so will burnish the terminals and remove any light oxidation and dust accumulation.

[Jerr-conn]

BD! Thanks for your input. When ck'ing front park/turn signal socket, the ground inside the socket was screwed up. So I ordered new sockets . Have them tomorrow. Did ck for power to sockets and
Did have power. Will replace tomorrow. When ck' ing dash I noticed the turn signal arrows were
Both lit at same time without being turned on with stalk lever. Could this have something to do with
Old sockets. Hope you can understand what I'm trying to say, as I'm not good at electrical at all.
Also my right dim head light bulb , which is new, the light will go out if I wiggle the three prong
Wires going to bulb . I think I can find that problem. Will update soon. I'm 79 and still trying to
Do this stuff. Wife thinks I'm wacky to put myself thru this.   Thanks again.   Jerry

[82silverado]

A little bit of electric grease after repair will help to keep the connections in sockets from corroding.

[bd]

Poor grounds in the front lamps can result in backfeeding of the dash turn indicators and may cause the turn indicators to glow continuously whenever the running lamps are switched on.  Once the new sockets are installed liberally coat the brass bases of the bulbs with white lithium grease or antioxidant paste (available from your local hardware store electrical department) to prevent subsequent oxidation of the new sockets.

Regarding the headlamp connections...

...unplug the connectors from the lamps and drench the contacts with WD-40.  Then plug them back onto the lamps, remove them again and repeat several times.  Doing so will burnish the terminals and remove any light oxidation and dust accumulation.

After cleaning the headlamp and connector terminals, liberally coat the terminals with grease as previously stated and reassemble.

Jerry, we are all wacky to own our 30-plus year old trucks.  But we share a passion for making them run tip-top!  Enjoy the rewards of your "wacky" efforts!   

[Jerr-conn]

Thanks for all the info. Replaced the parking light assy's with new. Solved problems.
Also found bad ground on headlight plug and had to rebend locking clip. Thanks again.
Note; just sold a 69 Camaro z28  3 months ago. Too hard to get into anymore.  Jerry

[bd]

Well done on your repair!

Were you the original owner of that Z28?

[Jerr-conn]

No, i was the 2nd owner. The orig owner died in 2009. I got it from his wife in 2014. It was
Orig. except for the engine. He blew it twice and then put a 350 in it. I don't know what
Happened to the orig engine. The 350 had the orig intake, valve covers, air cleaner on it when 
I got it. It's now in Conn. Sold it because it was hard to get in and out of. Hence, that's why I
Decided to get a pickup. Lot easier now. 

[bd]

There is quite a difference between climbing UP out of a low slung car and steeping DOWN out of a truck.