Headlights Stopped Working
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
Headlights Stopped Working
Hello,
I have a 1970 and the headlights on it stopped working one after another recently. The bulbs look fine, the fuse is still intact.
One weird thing is when I short out the connector wires on the back of the right outer bulb it lights up. I am shorting the outer wire with the center wire, not sure what that means though - maybe need to put in a new connector, or better off with a new bulb?
The right inner bulb only has two prongs and wont turn on when shorted. These bulbs could be 15 + years old.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
I have a 1970 and the headlights on it stopped working one after another recently. The bulbs look fine, the fuse is still intact.
One weird thing is when I short out the connector wires on the back of the right outer bulb it lights up. I am shorting the outer wire with the center wire, not sure what that means though - maybe need to put in a new connector, or better off with a new bulb?
The right inner bulb only has two prongs and wont turn on when shorted. These bulbs could be 15 + years old.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,303
Likes: 4,391
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi L,
Because of the bulbs' age and your description of what's happened I think I'd start with some new bulbs.
Your 71 headlights have 'fiber optic' connections too; so be aware of that when you change the bulbs.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Because of the bulbs' age and your description of what's happened I think I'd start with some new bulbs.
Your 71 headlights have 'fiber optic' connections too; so be aware of that when you change the bulbs.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,202
Likes: 4,187
From: Kannapolis NC
The headlights don't have a fuse, they have a circuit breaker built into the headlight switch. If they did stop working one at a time as you said, you should start by checking the connections both at the bulbs and follow the wires back to where they split on the driver's side connector to go to the passenger side. You may have more than one problem, like a mix of good and bad bulbs AND a bad connection, or an intermittent dimmer switch confusing the issue.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
The headlights don't have a fuse, they have a circuit breaker built into the headlight switch. If they did stop working one at a time as you said, you should start by checking the connections both at the bulbs and follow the wires back to where they split on the driver's side connector to go to the passenger side. You may have more than one problem, like a mix of good and bad bulbs AND a bad connection, or an intermittent dimmer switch confusing the issue.
I've seen dimmer switches react this way and they are so cheap for these cars that it is a no-brainer to start there and just replace it especially considering the age .
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
I just replaced all bulbs and the outer ones work now. Should I still try replacing that dimmer switch to see if it lights up the inner bulbs?
- also - where is that dimmer switch, in the engine bay or part of the actual pull out switch in the dash?
Thanks!
- also - where is that dimmer switch, in the engine bay or part of the actual pull out switch in the dash?
Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,202
Likes: 4,187
From: Kannapolis NC
You don't know where the dimmer switch is for the headlights? To switch from bright to dim? If not you may not have any problem, you just haven't dimmed/brightened your lights. It's on the floor, under the carpet, by the kick panel. One stomp for bright, another stomp for dim. All four lamps work on bright, only the outer two work on dim.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,634
From: Draper Utah
The dimmer switch in your car is located under the carpet to the left of the clutch pedal (or where the clutch would be in an auto). The switch costs less than $6 and takes 10 minutes to change. It's really simple as it's just two screws and a plug. The switches are proven to failure being mounted on the floor as they would get moisture in them. Replacing a floor mounted dimmer switch is the first thing I do with any car having headlight issues. If the switch is old it's probably time to replace it anyways.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,202
Likes: 4,187
From: Kannapolis NC
The dimmer switch in your car is located under the carpet to the left of the clutch pedal (or where the clutch would be in an auto). The switch costs less than $6 and takes 10 minutes to change. It's really simple as it's just two screws and a plug. The switches are proven to failure being mounted on the floor as they would get moisture in them. Replacing a floor mounted dimmer switch is the first thing I do with any car having headlight issues. If the switch is old it's probably time to replace it anyways.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Seems like you have the low beams turned on, and when you short the terminals on the rear of the bulb, you are connecting to a good filament, so there is apparently power there. The center lights (high beam) only have one filament, thus only 2 connections. Outer lights have 2 filaments, one terminal for ground, one for high and one for low beam.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
You know - as soon as I read this I slapped myself in the head! I had totally forgotten about that switch in the carpet (in my defense it has been about 12 years since I last drove/fixed the car).
Haha! Anyways thanks for that - it all works now! Just got to get to a few cracked vacuum lines for the left set and should be done with that job.
Thanks!
Haha! Anyways thanks for that - it all works now! Just got to get to a few cracked vacuum lines for the left set and should be done with that job.
Thanks!
You don't know where the dimmer switch is for the headlights? To switch from bright to dim? If not you may not have any problem, you just haven't dimmed/brightened your lights. It's on the floor, under the carpet, by the kick panel. One stomp for bright, another stomp for dim. All four lamps work on bright, only the outer two work on dim.