Headlight help
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 711
Likes: 61
From: Waterford CT
Headlight help
I have a '73 coupe that I have been repairing that has a head light issue. The lights worked last fall before some major mechanical work over the winter. Now that the car it running and registered the lights pop up sloooowwwly when I pull the light switch (weak actuators), but the bulbs don't light. Neither high or low beams work. The bright indicator in the speedometer illuminates when I step on the high beam switch. but no head lights and I get the "head lights" warning light on the gauge cluster. Parking lights are fine. I checked to ensure that the housings were fully deployed and locked and one was not so I pushed it up to lock and close the warning switch, but still no lights.
OK group, where do I look? I have checked a shop manual and it mentions a circuit breaker, but does not tell me where to find it. I expected the system to use a relay, but no luck finding one of those either. Any suggestions?
OK group, where do I look? I have checked a shop manual and it mentions a circuit breaker, but does not tell me where to find it. I expected the system to use a relay, but no luck finding one of those either. Any suggestions?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 918
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville FL
Paul - I'm not sure whether your 73 is like my 76 as far the headlight electrical system, but if it, there is no headlight relay. The power goes through the dash switch. The fuse for the headlights is on the fuseblock under the dash. I would check that first. Another common problem is the high beam switch on the floor. All the headlight power goes through this, so if it's bad, you will have no lights.
It's a big help to have the complete circuit diagram for your year. Lectric Limited sells a very nice diagram that has saved my butt on several occasions. There is also a person on the forum who publishes a version where the line colors correspond to the wire colors.
It's a big help to have the complete circuit diagram for your year. Lectric Limited sells a very nice diagram that has saved my butt on several occasions. There is also a person on the forum who publishes a version where the line colors correspond to the wire colors.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Originally Posted by Paul71LT1
I have a '73 coupe that I have been repairing that has a head light issue. The lights worked last fall before some major mechanical work over the winter. Now that the car it running and registered the lights pop up sloooowwwly when I pull the light switch (weak actuators), but the bulbs don't light. Neither high or low beams work. The bright indicator in the speedometer illuminates when I step on the high beam switch. but no head lights and I get the "head lights" warning light on the gauge cluster. Parking lights are fine. I checked to ensure that the housings were fully deployed and locked and one was not so I pushed it up to lock and close the warning switch, but still no lights.
OK group, where do I look? I have checked a shop manual and it mentions a circuit breaker, but does not tell me where to find it. I expected the system to use a relay, but no luck finding one of those either. Any suggestions?
OK group, where do I look? I have checked a shop manual and it mentions a circuit breaker, but does not tell me where to find it. I expected the system to use a relay, but no luck finding one of those either. Any suggestions?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Originally Posted by pws69
Make sure the GROUND for the headlights isn't broken or disconnected. On my 69, it is attached to the Radiator Support - drivers side about 1/2 way down. I believe yours should be in the same place.
My 72 has two headlight grounds. Same as above, along with one that attaches to the nose support. Check those closely, along with the fuse & dimmer switch.Eddie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 4
From: Yorktown VA
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Originally Posted by Vette Gator
It's a big help to have the complete circuit diagram for your year. Lectric Limited sells a very nice diagram that has saved my butt on several occasions. There is also a person on the forum who publishes a version where the line colors correspond to the wire colors.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Originally Posted by Buzzardz_vette
Vette Gator - Any idea who does the diagram with the colored lines? I'd be interested in getting one of those for my 76.
vetsvette2002@yahoo.com
Eddie
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 711
Likes: 61
From: Waterford CT
Thanks for the help
I found a dirty ground connection that turned on half the lights the other half was still out due to bad sealed beam units. A couple new lights and I now have all four working as intended. Thanks to all who had suggestinons where to look.
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