Electrical Short/Ground
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
From: Andover MN
Electrical Short/Ground
Looking for some help in finding a problem when I turn on the headlights in my 1978. When I put the headlights on, the dash panel indicates that both directionals are on, that the bright lights are on (even thought they are not) and the emergency light is somewhat lit. Any ideas? Is there a ground strap or the like I should be looking for on the dash panel? Need help!!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Sounds like the headlights are 'looking' to find a path to ground. I'd focus on locating the headlight grounds and making certain that the wires are in good shape, the connectors are attached well and the metal they run to is not painted or corroded. You might also want to check the integrity of the main engine block ground connections.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Looking for some help in finding a problem when I turn on the headlights in my 1978. When I put the headlights on, the dash panel indicates that both directionals are on, that the bright lights are on (even thought they are not) and the emergency light is somewhat lit. Any ideas? Is there a ground strap or the like I should be looking for on the dash panel? Need help!!!!
First thing I would do is clean the 3 wire connectors going to the front turn/park assembly's. Raise the hood ,pop them apart and spray them with an electrical cleaner and put them back together. Some guys eliminate the 3 wire connector by soldering the wires together,I do this if I cant get them clean.
(I've seen bad sockets or corroded do this and on occasion a bad bulb with the filaments touch inside. Also a bad ground to the entire front but the headlights usually suffer if this happens)
