Electrical diagnosticians, please enter here...
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 528
Likes: 9
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
Electrical diagnosticians, please enter here...
Help me solve my mystery.
Everything is normal with all lights and indicators until I turn on the headlights.
When I do, the RIGHT turn signals slow way down and the right brake light goes dark when I touch the brakes.
The hi beams do not work at all and all headlights go dark when I pull the switch.
Clues:
Recently changed all indicator bulbs and the RIGHT rear brake/turn socket - no change
Changed headlight circuit breaker
Changed several fuses
Near as I can see, body grounds are clean and tight, but I haven't pulled the column or dash.
Recently I installed a new battery.
Recently installed aftermarket stereo from a different aftermarket stereo. don't recall if problem existed before that. Install went fine with no issues.
Horn and cruise don't work and haven't for a long time
Any gurus out there help me isolate what part of the headlight circuit is at fault and how to fix this?
My guess is either somewhere in the column or the headlight switch itself.
I don't have a lot if patience, electrical diagnostic equipment or help so answer me like you would a child. A slow child. From a country that speaks a different language. Thanks for looking in and any response is appreciated.
Bill
Everything is normal with all lights and indicators until I turn on the headlights.
When I do, the RIGHT turn signals slow way down and the right brake light goes dark when I touch the brakes.
The hi beams do not work at all and all headlights go dark when I pull the switch.
Clues:
Recently changed all indicator bulbs and the RIGHT rear brake/turn socket - no change
Changed headlight circuit breaker
Changed several fuses
Near as I can see, body grounds are clean and tight, but I haven't pulled the column or dash.
Recently I installed a new battery.
Recently installed aftermarket stereo from a different aftermarket stereo. don't recall if problem existed before that. Install went fine with no issues.
Horn and cruise don't work and haven't for a long time
Any gurus out there help me isolate what part of the headlight circuit is at fault and how to fix this?
My guess is either somewhere in the column or the headlight switch itself.
I don't have a lot if patience, electrical diagnostic equipment or help so answer me like you would a child. A slow child. From a country that speaks a different language. Thanks for looking in and any response is appreciated.
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Help me solve my mystery.
Everything is normal with all lights and indicators until I turn on the headlights.
When I do, the RIGHT turn signals slow way down and the right brake light goes dark when I touch the brakes.
The hi beams do not work at all and all headlights go dark when I pull the switch.
Either a bad dimmer switch or a really bad ground.
Clues:
Recently changed all indicator bulbs and the RIGHT rear brake/turn socket - no change
Changed headlight circuit breaker
Changed several fuses
Near as I can see, body grounds are clean and tight, but I haven't pulled the column or dash.
Recently I installed a new battery.
Recently installed aftermarket stereo from a different aftermarket stereo. don't recall if problem existed before that. Install went fine with no issues.
Horn and cruise don't work and haven't for a long time
Any gurus out there help me isolate what part of the headlight circuit is at fault and how to fix this?
My guess is either somewhere in the column or the headlight switch itself.
I don't have a lot if patience, electrical diagnostic equipment or help so answer me like you would a child. A slow child. From a country that speaks a different language. Thanks for looking in and any response is appreciated.
Bill
Everything is normal with all lights and indicators until I turn on the headlights.
When I do, the RIGHT turn signals slow way down and the right brake light goes dark when I touch the brakes.
The hi beams do not work at all and all headlights go dark when I pull the switch.
Either a bad dimmer switch or a really bad ground.
Clues:
Recently changed all indicator bulbs and the RIGHT rear brake/turn socket - no change
Changed headlight circuit breaker
Changed several fuses
Near as I can see, body grounds are clean and tight, but I haven't pulled the column or dash.
Recently I installed a new battery.
Recently installed aftermarket stereo from a different aftermarket stereo. don't recall if problem existed before that. Install went fine with no issues.
Horn and cruise don't work and haven't for a long time
Any gurus out there help me isolate what part of the headlight circuit is at fault and how to fix this?
My guess is either somewhere in the column or the headlight switch itself.
I don't have a lot if patience, electrical diagnostic equipment or help so answer me like you would a child. A slow child. From a country that speaks a different language. Thanks for looking in and any response is appreciated.
Bill
http://www.nrjvette.com/johdotukset/
Your entire list of problems, with the exception of the headlights going out when you hit the dimmer, sounds like a ground problem to me. All the light in the front pretty much use the core support as the ground. So it has to be grounded to the frame.
The only relationship the horn and cruise have is both are operated by switches in the steering column.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 448
Likes: 21
From: Klein Texas
Sure sounds like a missing ground from one of the right side bulbs. When powered up the bulb with the missing ground tries to steal it from the other bulbs in the circuit.
I'd look carefully where the headlamp grounds to the core support.
I'd look carefully where the headlamp grounds to the core support.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 528
Likes: 9
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
Thanks, gents. I do have a multi meter, but I need a test light since I'm usually doing this stuff myself. I also have an AIM, Shop Manual and full wiring diagram. That doesn't mean God gave me the brains to understand what I'm seeing. Give me mechanical or carpentry any day... I can work that out. Electrical and plumbing? Not so much.
Will crawl up under the front next week and see if there is a bad/missing ground.
Will crawl up under the front next week and see if there is a bad/missing ground.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,513
Likes: 501
From: Bussey, IA
Had similar problem in my 94 Suburban. Can be the turn signal switch in the steering column, as it was the source with my 'Burb. As you do not have cruise or horn either, your entire problem may be with in the column itself. I agree with the others and a bad ground may be the source of some of your problems, but I suspect your horn and cruise problems lie within the column.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 528
Likes: 9
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
Had similar problem in my 94 Suburban. Can be the turn signal switch in the steering column, as it was the source with my 'Burb. As you do not have cruise or horn either, your entire problem may be with in the column itself. I agree with the others and a bad ground may be the source of some of your problems, but I suspect your horn and cruise problems lie within the column.
Frankly, the horn and cruise haven't worked in years, but lights are pretty helpful!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,406
Likes: 59
From: Emerald Isle NC
I too say dimmer switch. Had an old Chevy Van. Weird electrical mess happening. Pulled back the **** carpet and the dimmer switch was a crusty rusty mess. Replaced and all was good. Except that I was driving a '78 customized van in 2001.
I was broke. Real broke. Sold my H-D and Porsche broke. Bad bad broke.
Everyone should be that broke at least once as an adult. Makes you respect your money more when you recover.
Fossil Fuels saved me.
Carter
I was broke. Real broke. Sold my H-D and Porsche broke. Bad bad broke.
Everyone should be that broke at least once as an adult. Makes you respect your money more when you recover.
Fossil Fuels saved me.
Carter
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