good morning all! my first post here.....i'll be doing most of the work to convertiblegirls "new" 68 convertible and I've got a question regarding headlights. A few weeks ago, they worked fine and then during a drive they went out and haven't worked since. The only lights that work are the interior lights (dash etc...) and the running lights. headlights no go at all. regular or brights....so figuring it was the switch, i got another switch and installed it last night. same thing. interior and running lights work fine, headlights not at all. So, my plan is just to install a different switch to use for the regular headlights, rewire the floor switch for the brights and keep the factory switch to control the dash and running lights. unless someone has come across this as well and can offer a better solution or gremlin to chase?? i'm just thankful the turn signal lights still work.....<<knocking on wood>> thanks, kurt
Did you check the connections from the lighting harness to the bulbs? I had both a front and a rear light out due to some loose wires or corrosion on the terminal posts. if I recall correctly, I think the headlights are on a seperate circuit by themselves as well.
The first place I'd look is the dimmer switch. I've had that happen and that was the problem. The next place I'd look is the bulkhead connector on the firewall where it plugs into the back of the fusebox. Find the problem, don't re-wire anything.
if i'm not mistaken, didn't i just replace the dimmer switch? i'd like to find the problem and not rewire it, but i'd also like to drive it at night...... from what i can tell these wires run straight thru the fire wall and are not connected to the fuse box. and all the wires leading to the switch have power. i tested that when i was replacing the switch. however, there is no power to the light connectors. it would be logical to think there is a wire loose somewhere between the headlights and the switch....... i'll look for a second circuit tonight...
Kurt: Don't forget to introduce yourself, and your Buick (Jeep?) in the Wet behind the ears?? section of the board :Comp: If only the headlights are not working, you could have a bad fusible link: < Click thumbnail :Comp:
I might be mistaken but it sounded to me like you just replaced the headlight switch in the dash rather than the dimmer switch on the floor.
bill, you're spot on there. i thought the switch on the floor just turned the brights on and off. you'll have to excuse me here, i'm somewhat a noob with classics..... growing up, my dad had several t-birds, mustangs, 3 triumph spitfires (2 for parts....lol) and a few other things, but i don't recall much..... thanks for your help. it is appreciated! kurt
It looks like he missed that post...... o No: (But he did introduce himself at the "Wet behind the ears??" section of the board)
Get a test light and work your way from the bulbs back to the power source. I have had cars that had both bulbs go out at the same time.
ok, now that it finally seems to have stopped raining around here and i can pull the vehicle out of the garage i'll probably be able to look underneath it tomorrow to check the fusibile links. i was able to check a few things to date and here's what I know so far: power does exist to the switch plug. i don't think power existed to the bulb plug when on during my test (however, see more below cause it seems to be fickle) both low and bright beam bulbs do work as i hooked them directly to the battery (alligator clips) to make sure they did work. when i was replacing the old switch, i noticed that AFTER i got the pull stick out of the switch the lights did come on. very odd....once i put the new switch in, the lights didn't work again. dash lights do in fact work and worked with either switch that was installed. I'm thinking there has got to be a either a ground wire loose somewhere cause this is crazy. also, i don't think i've ever dealt with a fusible link before. is there a chance the wires inside the link are corroded, loose, etc...and just happen to catch every now and then to make it all work? not sure, but anyway, the search is on starting tonight or tomorrow. I'll keep you all informed. thanks again for all of the help and advise.
and Golden Oldie 65 is the big winner! problem was the dimmer switch. i would have never guessed this to be the problem, but new switch = working lights! and with the fix of one problem begins the genesis of a new problem. no turn signals work now. hazard flashers work fine, but turn signals do not. I'm thinking all the fusible links were removed when the PO did an engine swap to a 94 Chevy 350 as I couldn't find any. Going to pull the flasher out of the fuse block and check it / buy new. they're pretty cheap. all other fuses look good. so here we go again! thanks for all the responses on the lights. i'll search for / start a new thread about the signals if the flasher doesn't do it. kurt
