lightson dim..nothing/push dimmer switch/all 4 on
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,759
Likes: 1,647
From: Fairfax Virginia
Have you checked the grounds? Headlight issues are frequently ground related or at least they have been on my 1968 C3. The headlight switch on mine was replaced and the ground issue persisted. It was then the grounds became suspect. The battery ground is one connection you need to keep clean or there will be problems. Remove the chassis ground and clean the metal inside the connection and then using battery grease I coat the parts and then re-attach the ground strap to the chassis. I also clean the posts on the battery to be sure that all the power is getting to the electrical system. Battery grease will keep them from corroding and helps make the connection as battery grease IS Conductive. Excessive grease might let dirt and crud stick to the terminal so I wipe it down to a fine layer before finishing up the job.
Engine ground straps are critical as well. They need to be kept clean and functional. Simply test your battery voltage thru the alternator output for positive (12 Vdc) and the engine block for a good ground. Try it again at the battery and compare the 2 voltages. They should be the same or VERY close. If not you potentially have a grounding issue.
On our 1968 C3 we have cleaned the connections with DeOxIt (Grangers or Amazon carry it) and it did an incredible job removing all the corrosion from light sockets and every connection I can clean. The difference in light output was even noticeable during the dark hours. I cleaned all the bulbs, sockets and connections on one side and not the other. After dark it was pretty obvious which side was cleaned because it made more light.
How long have you had the 1968 C3? I love my 1968 and would not trade it for any other C3 Corvette.
P.S. Take a moment and fill out the profile page so we don't have to ask the same questions over and over. This helps all of us here on the Corvette forum!
Engine ground straps are critical as well. They need to be kept clean and functional. Simply test your battery voltage thru the alternator output for positive (12 Vdc) and the engine block for a good ground. Try it again at the battery and compare the 2 voltages. They should be the same or VERY close. If not you potentially have a grounding issue.
On our 1968 C3 we have cleaned the connections with DeOxIt (Grangers or Amazon carry it) and it did an incredible job removing all the corrosion from light sockets and every connection I can clean. The difference in light output was even noticeable during the dark hours. I cleaned all the bulbs, sockets and connections on one side and not the other. After dark it was pretty obvious which side was cleaned because it made more light.
How long have you had the 1968 C3? I love my 1968 and would not trade it for any other C3 Corvette.
P.S. Take a moment and fill out the profile page so we don't have to ask the same questions over and over. This helps all of us here on the Corvette forum!
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City, MO
Have you checked the grounds? Headlight issues are frequently ground related or at least they have been on my 1968 C3. The headlight switch on mine was replaced and the ground issue persisted. It was then the grounds became suspect. The battery ground is one connection you need to keep clean or there will be problems. Remove the chassis ground and clean the metal inside the connection and then using battery grease I coat the parts and then re-attach the ground strap to the chassis. I also clean the posts on the battery to be sure that all the power is getting to the electrical system. Battery grease will keep them from corroding and helps make the connection as battery grease IS Conductive. Excessive grease might let dirt and crud stick to the terminal so I wipe it down to a fine layer before finishing up the job.
Engine ground straps are critical as well. They need to be kept clean and functional. Simply test your battery voltage thru the alternator output for positive (12 Vdc) and the engine block for a good ground. Try it again at the battery and compare the 2 voltages. They should be the same or VERY close. If not you potentially have a grounding issue.
On our 1968 C3 we have cleaned the connections with DeOxIt (Grangers or Amazon carry it) and it did an incredible job removing all the corrosion from light sockets and every connection I can clean. The difference in light output was even noticeable during the dark hours. I cleaned all the bulbs, sockets and connections on one side and not the other. After dark it was pretty obvious which side was cleaned because it made more light.
How long have you had the 1968 C3? I love my 1968 and would not trade it for any other C3 Corvette.
P.S. Take a moment and fill out the profile page so we don't have to ask the same questions over and over. This helps all of us here on the Corvette forum!
Engine ground straps are critical as well. They need to be kept clean and functional. Simply test your battery voltage thru the alternator output for positive (12 Vdc) and the engine block for a good ground. Try it again at the battery and compare the 2 voltages. They should be the same or VERY close. If not you potentially have a grounding issue.
On our 1968 C3 we have cleaned the connections with DeOxIt (Grangers or Amazon carry it) and it did an incredible job removing all the corrosion from light sockets and every connection I can clean. The difference in light output was even noticeable during the dark hours. I cleaned all the bulbs, sockets and connections on one side and not the other. After dark it was pretty obvious which side was cleaned because it made more light.
How long have you had the 1968 C3? I love my 1968 and would not trade it for any other C3 Corvette.
P.S. Take a moment and fill out the profile page so we don't have to ask the same questions over and over. This helps all of us here on the Corvette forum!
