The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Help with lights

Ok guys don't laugh. When I first got this truck (51 Chevy 3100), I hooked up a 12 volt battery on a 6 volt system. Headlights and turn signals that were working stopped.
Since I have gotten the correct battery, replaced headlight bulbs, 2 fuses inside engine compartment and turn signal fuse inside cab. Headlights and turn signals still aren't working.

Parking lights, dash lights and interior work fine so I don't think it's wiring. Plus they were working before I did the dumb battery thing.

What am I missing?

magnmike,

I wonder if your headlight switch is a fused style. I researched it a bit, and it says the stock switch wasn't fused, but some of the replacements were.


Stuart

I believe it is a stock part. Looks like original wiring too. I'll look for another fuse though.
Thanks.

The original headlight switch wasn't fused, and will happily take 12v power. It's darn near bulletproof. If there was a headlight relay installed for some reason, you could have nuked that.

Hy guys, did you replace the flasher unit, what about the tail light/turn signal bulbs? give the dimmer switch a couple of high/low cycles that might clean it.

magnmike,

I looked at the only wiring diagram I could find. I was for a '54 truck, so It might not be accurate for your truck.

There is no common connection between headlights and turn signals. Turn signals are brake lights that utilize the flasher to blink them. If you have brake lights but no turn signals, this would indicate a flasher problem as 3B mentioned.

If everything worked before you installed the 12 volt battery, and it doesn't work now, it would appear to be a fusing problem. You have stated you replaced three blown fuses, but it still doesn't work.

Merely installing the battery wouldn't blow the fuses unless you energized that circuit. The brake lights connect to back of the headlight switch, but only as a connection point...they aren't switched.

Something is rotten in Denmark..keep looking.

Stuart

Haven't replaced the flasher yet on the turn signals. Went by NAPA but they only have a 12 volt flasher. A 6-volt flasher is on there now. Can you use a 12-volt flasher on a 6-volt truck?

magnmike,

I think the first plan would be to see if you have brake lights...just step on the brake and have someone holler yea or nay. If the 6v flasher is in the rig, flip the handle to indicate a turn while holding the flasher...can you feel it or hear it respond. Have you checked the brake light bulbs yet.

I will give you the usual comments on the little circuit tester with the pokey end and bulb inside...a indispensable item when doing work such as this, and cheap too. Keep searching.


Stuart

check all bulbs that were turned on with 12 volts could be burned out...You will have to use a 6 volt flasher..Head light sw arenot fused for the head lights they have a curcit breaker,,some have a fuse on the sw for dash lights but not for head lights....

They weren't fused or relayed from the factory...but things get changed in the span of 50+ years.