Headlights not working

[petieg383]

Kind of odd one, at least for me. When I turn on all the lights with the switch in the dash in my 70 RR, all the lights come on except the headlights. The other odd thing is that the high beam indicator stays on all the time as well. I checked the fuses in the glove box, all LOOK ok to me, and probably are given that all the other lights are working as expected. The connections at the back of the headlights all appear to be in tact. I didn't touch them in the last few months as I was working on other things, and the lights worked the last time I drove it back in the winter.

Any ideas how all 4 lights would stop working and why the high beam indicator light is on even if I click it? Any advice on what/where to look at, and please remember I'm a complete electrical idiot, so sending me a wiring diagram is like sending me a letter in Chinese, so pictures are way better.

HELP.

 

[Sixpactogo]

My first guess would be the dimmer switch connections are suspect. If it becomes unplugged, you will lose all headlights.

 

[petieg383]

My first guess would be the dimmer switch connections are suspect. If it becomes unplugged, you will lose all headlights.

Even if the dimmer is working for the gauges within the dash?

 

[Sixpactogo]

Not the dash light dimmer. The actual headlight dimmer switch on the floor.
Have you checked to see if the 3 prong plug is plugged into the floor dimmer switch? You said you clicked it and the high beam indicator on the dash is still lit. That tells me that the dimmer switch is probably not making good contact.

 

[petieg383]

Not the dash light dimmer. The actual headlight dimmer switch on the floor.

OK I had a look at it. The connection is plugged into the dimmer switch for sure. Is there a way to jumper the dimmer switch connector to see if the headlights come on? Just curious if that's possible.

I'll likely pick a new dimmer switch up but that might take a few days.

 

[Ranger16]

Might also check the bulkhead connector. One (I forget which) is for the headlamps.

 

[Crackedback]

Grab a voltmeter.

Pull headlight switch to headlights on
Probe green wire going into the floor dimmer switch. Should have power
Check each terminal going out, red and violet. One should be hot. click dimmer and the other should go hot and other go dark.

If that checks out, look at the bulkhead.

My relay kit is also a good investment to take the strain off your switch/dimmer/bulkhead. Light work a heck of a lot better too...

 

[Histoy]

Also make sure you have a good, clean connection for the ground wire from the negative side of the battery to the radiator housing.

 

[SlinktRR]

Grab a voltmeter.

Pull headlight switch to headlights on
Probe green wire going into the floor dimmer switch. Should have power
Check each terminal going out, red and violet. One should be hot. click dimmer and the other should go hot and other go dark.

If that checks out, look at the bulkhead.

My relay kit is also a good investment to take the strain off your switch/dimmer/bulkhead. Light work a heck of a lot better too...

what parts did you buy to do this change and how did you install. I still have backfeeding voltage to my gauges when the headlights are on so I need to do something to limit how much current goes through the headlight switch.

 

[Shorthorse]

Also make sure you have a good, clean connection for the ground wire from the negative side of the battery to the radiator housing.

Agreed, there is a eyelet terminal (ground) which is part of the wiring harness. That terminal is bolted somewhere to the core support. According to the wiring diagram, it would have two black wires joined at the terminal end.

 

[Crackedback]

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/plug-and-play-headlight-relay-kits.88359/

 

[Derwud]

Did you ever get this fixed??

 

[petieg383]

No I put it in the back burner and fixed my ignition issues instead. I need to get back on it. A new dimmer switch on the floor didn't fix it either, that's where I gave up.

 

[Derwud]

Pull a low beam headlight and start with a test light to the power pins while grounded straight to the battery. Then stick the probe in the ground pin of the headlight connector and put end clip of the test light on the power side. It should light up bright on all the Pins.