C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

No low beams on 72

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 8, 2004 | 11:26 PM
  #1  
MN 72 454's Avatar
MN 72 454
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Elk River MN
Default No low beams on 72

Lost all low beams. High beams work fine so I tried the High/low switch and that wasn't the problem. All other lights work fine, just no low beams. Am I overlooking something simple??? :banghead:
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2004 | 11:47 PM
  #2  
Grinchia's Avatar
Grinchia
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 641
Likes: 2
From: Storm lake Iowa
Default Re: No low beams on 72 (MN 72 454)

When you say you "tried the hi/lo switch", did you replace it? I had the same problem with my '68, and put in a new $7.00 switch and cured the problem instantly.
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2004 | 03:47 AM
  #3  
ACECO's Avatar
ACECO
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 4
From: Northern NJ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Default Re: No low beams on 72 (Grinchia)

:iagree:

I had the same problem with my Camaro. The switch "clicked" fine but apparently it didn't make the connection anymore. I found the issue by unplugging the connector to the switch and jumpering the appropriate wires. The lights came on so I replaced the switch.

As Grinchia said, perhaps a $7 switch is all you need.

Good Luck!

:seeya
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2004 | 07:36 AM
  #4  
gerry72's Avatar
gerry72
Safety Car
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Default Re: No low beams on 72 (MN 72 454)

Don't ask me to explain why it is this way but this is my experience. Lost my low beams, high beams were fine. Since both lights were out, I reasoned that it had to be the dimmer switch since both lights wouldn't have gone out at the same time, at least not likely they would. So I replaced the switch even without trouble shooting it. Didn't fix the problem. As luck would have it, I had to have the 'Vette safety inspected that weekend and the low beams were working fine a couple of days prior.

So now I went through the wiring and found that there was voltage at the driver side low beam so I replaced the light. Still didn't work. I tested the new light and it worked as advertised. So I had power and a known good light but neither low beam would light. How odd. I pulled the passenger side low beam. It was burned out too. I replaced that one and now both worked. So, electricals not being my strong point, I reasoned that the way the lights work is as a series loop where if one goes, neither will light -sort of like Christmas tree lights. My wiring is as it left the factory (no Bubba splices or non-factory wiring). I can't explain the logic of why it works that way in 1972 but I noticed some other things about the light system too. If an indicator bulb burns out and you hit the signal stalk, both dash directional indicator lights come on without flashing.
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2004 | 10:08 AM
  #5  
Grinchia's Avatar
Grinchia
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 641
Likes: 2
From: Storm lake Iowa
Default Re: No low beams on 72 (Grinchia)

With mine, high-beams worked fine, and when High-beams were on, low-beams were too, so clearly the bulbs were o.k., and a live circuit as reaching them...just nothing at all happening in the low-beam switch position, ergo clearly it had to be the switch.
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2004 | 12:02 PM
  #6  
72GACRZR's Avatar
72GACRZR
Drifting
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 22
From: Marietta Ga.
Default Re: No low beams on 72 (Grinchia)

low-beams were too, so clearly the bulbs were o.k.
WRONG STATEMENT, The low beams have two filaments one for low and one for high, so working on high does not indicate that the low beam is not burned out.

For an easy test of your blubs, take them out and jumper a hot and groung lead to them and see if they work.


[Modified by 72GACRZR, 12:04 PM 1/9/2004]
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2004 | 12:24 PM
  #7  
1FUNVET's Avatar
1FUNVET
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 868
Likes: 2
From: Olney MD
Default Re: No low beams on 72 (MN 72 454)

OK I am a chick and that may be why I answer this problem with the following solution:

Replace the Bulbs!!
:eek:
Now I know that it could be more than that, but y not try the simple things first!!! :D :steering: :auto:
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To No low beams on 72





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:06 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE