1971 Headlights Question
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Austin Texas
1971 Headlights Question
At the risk of asking a very dumb question as my first post (bought my 71 C3 in March), I'm stumped... any help is appreciated.
So the outside headlights on my 71 coupe shine just fine and operate both hi-beam and lo-beam through the same bulbs just fine. I can not get the inside headlights to turn on though. Shouldn't all four shine either when the hi-beam and/or lo-beam is on?
I'm assuming electrical issue (already tried new bulbs of course), but want to rule out something obvious before I go down that road.
TIA,
Layla '71
So the outside headlights on my 71 coupe shine just fine and operate both hi-beam and lo-beam through the same bulbs just fine. I can not get the inside headlights to turn on though. Shouldn't all four shine either when the hi-beam and/or lo-beam is on?
I'm assuming electrical issue (already tried new bulbs of course), but want to rule out something obvious before I go down that road.
TIA,
Layla '71
Last edited by Layla1971; Jun 30, 2009 at 11:15 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 16
From: Fl
The two inner are for low beam ONLY -
the outer+inner for high beam ONLY.
I am not 100% sure of the cause, but I would suspect the switch on the dash.
Maybe a fuse issue?? not really sure on this.
======
Did they ever work okay since you have had the car?
BTW --- there is no thing as a dumb question, we all ask questions, it is how we learn
the outer+inner for high beam ONLY.
I am not 100% sure of the cause, but I would suspect the switch on the dash.
Maybe a fuse issue?? not really sure on this.
======
Did they ever work okay since you have had the car?
BTW --- there is no thing as a dumb question, we all ask questions, it is how we learn
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 878
Likes: 55
From: Deep South Denmark
Outer are for high and low, inner for high only.
The wires run to the outer lights first and then continue to the inner lights, maybe a wiring issue? You are sure the outer ones change from low to high? As mentioned they are also on when using high beam...
Mine wouldn't change from low to high, it turned out the carpet was to tight over the dimmer switch
The wires run to the outer lights first and then continue to the inner lights, maybe a wiring issue? You are sure the outer ones change from low to high? As mentioned they are also on when using high beam...
Mine wouldn't change from low to high, it turned out the carpet was to tight over the dimmer switch
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Austin Texas
Okay you two... one says inner are for high only; the other says for low only. Huh?
Yep, the two that work definitely have a low and hi-beam within the same bulb. It's a very clear changeover when I'm driving (or just looking at them in my garage). Dimmer switch works like a charm.
72ls5 - Only the two have worked since I got it.
Moisen - The wiring direction is helpful. I'll take a closer look at that.
Thanks for the replies.
Yep, the two that work definitely have a low and hi-beam within the same bulb. It's a very clear changeover when I'm driving (or just looking at them in my garage). Dimmer switch works like a charm.
72ls5 - Only the two have worked since I got it.
Moisen - The wiring direction is helpful. I'll take a closer look at that.
Thanks for the replies.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Purchase the '71 assembly instruction manual (AIM). The AIM shows the headlight installation and correct wiring. If memory serves, the outers have a two pring electrical connector, while the inners have a three prong connector. AIM also shows the fiber optics connection.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Purchase the '71 assembly instruction manual (AIM). The AIM shows the headlight installation and correct wiring. If memory serves, the outers have a two pring electrical connector, while the inners have a three prong connector. AIM also shows the fiber optics connection.
The inner has a black and light green wiring. The outer has black, light green and tan. This is for my 72. Other years may vary slightly.
Last edited by Gordonm; Jul 1, 2009 at 11:10 AM.
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Don't rule out a faulty dimmer switch.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
4 Headlight Systems are as follows
At the risk of asking a very dumb question as my first post (bought my 71 C3 in March), I'm stumped... any help is appreciated.
So the outside headlights on my 71 coupe shine just fine and operate both hi-beam and lo-beam through the same bulbs just fine. I can not get the inside headlights to turn on though. Shouldn't all four shine either when the hi-beam and/or lo-beam is on?
I'm assuming electrical issue (already tried new bulbs of course), but want to rule out something obvious before I go down that road.
TIA,
Layla '71
So the outside headlights on my 71 coupe shine just fine and operate both hi-beam and lo-beam through the same bulbs just fine. I can not get the inside headlights to turn on though. Shouldn't all four shine either when the hi-beam and/or lo-beam is on?
I'm assuming electrical issue (already tried new bulbs of course), but want to rule out something obvious before I go down that road.
TIA,
Layla '71
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 872
Likes: 3
From: Cortlandt Manor New York
The inner bulbs only work on high beam. Make sure you have a good bulb and replace them. I spent hours inspecting the wiring harness, looking for breaks, then retaping them only to cure the problem with a replacement bulb. The first one I bought was bad from the store. It drove me crazy all winter.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
If this guys outside bulbs works on both high and low beams his problem is not the dimmer switch. His problem is either the connection on the inner bulbs or the wiring going from the inner bulbs to the outer bulbs. The light green wires or the black wires.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I went thru this a long time ago. The wire where the arrow is located was broken before it jumper over to the driver side beam right at the bulb connector. This knocks out both inner beams.
This is how I remember, maybe it will help.
Willcox
This is how I remember, maybe it will help.
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Jul 1, 2009 at 10:37 PM.
