The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay headlights dont work

pretty basic question, you would guess, but I've always been able to figure it out before now. Headlights on 53 dont work after rebuilt engine is installed. assume wiring is all correct; I thought a faulty switch, so I installed a "new" one from chevy duty. good battery and new wiring. New switch dosen't help. My question is (1) where should I first look for a problem, and (2) how do I tell if the headlights are actually blown ??? They are 4 yrs old with very little use. could the dimmer switch (also 4 yrs old) be bad and be the reason for no lights at all? How can I trace this problem?????

dublenaught,

I have enclosed a link to a bunch of wiring diagrams...pick out the one for your year.

It looks like power comes through the light switch, goes to the dimmer switch and then on to the headlights. All those switches must be good or the little amperes fall out on the floor.

The lights must be grounded. Isn't there a terminal strip on each inside fenderwell where the headlight/parking light wires are made up with the main harness. A quick check with a volt tester would tell you if your power made it that far.

Is there some type of onboard protection on the light switch for the headlights?

A voltage tester of some sort is a 'must have' to follow the power path and figure out what's what!

Stuart


http://chevy.tocmp.com/chevywiring/index.htm

Worked before the engine removal should work when reinstalled. Sounds like you have a ground wire missing somewhere!! Never assume that everything is connected correctly until you verify that it is!

Most of the time its in the dimmer switch &/or connector. They live in a horrible environment.