Headlamp switch problem, can the electrical guys help?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
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From: Indianapolis IN
Headlamp switch problem, can the electrical guys help?
When the car is running and I turn on the headlamps on the "ding" relay starts dinging like when the ignition is off,,,,,
is the switch bad or the relay?
What else should I look for?
is the switch bad or the relay?
What else should I look for?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Headlamp switch problem, can the electrical guys help? (ld85)
No schematic at work, but it sounds to me like a wire from the ignition switch to the alarm module is open causing it to believe that the ignition is off with the headlights on. Could also be a defective alarm module.
[Modified by jfb, 10:36 AM 7/14/2003]
[Modified by jfb, 10:36 AM 7/14/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,991
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From: Hanger 18 Taxachusetts
Re: Headlamp switch problem, can the electrical guys help? (jfb)
but it sounds to me like a wire from the ignition switch to the alarm module is open causing it to believe that the ignition is off with the headlights on.
Sounds like an open circuit or a wire that has fallen off.
I assume the lights are working correctly?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
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From: Indianapolis IN
Re: Headlamp switch problem, can the electrical guys help? (corvette-pilot)
Yes guys the lights are working, I have checked the wiriing but will climb under there tonight and look it over again, I pulled the dash off for a better view and will check it out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,270
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From: Winchester VA
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Headlamp switch problem, can the electrical guys help? (ld85)
Also be sure to check your circuit grounds very well. Odd occurences such as this are often caused by poor grounds as the little electrons will try to find another way to ground even if it means backfeeding through a different yet related circuit.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Re: Headlamp switch problem, can the electrical guys help? (Ski2Tee)
Also be sure to check your circuit grounds very well. Odd occurences such as this are often caused by poor grounds as the little electrons will try to find another way to ground even if it means backfeeding through a different yet related circuit.
I put my 12v test light to ground and the frame and the light glows just a little.
[Modified by ld85, 8:12 PM 7/14/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Headlamp switch problem, can the electrical guys help? (ld85)
I take it your are putting your test light from the battery negative to the disconnected negative battery cable. Watch the test light and pull fuses one at a time and see if the light goes out. If it does, you found the circuit that has leakage. There are 8 fusible links on the jump start bolt by the battery and you will need to unbolt these and remove them one at a time and watch your test light. Also, there are a number of circuits protected by circuit breakers and a clamp on ammeter on the wires to these breakers will tell you where the leakage current is going.
