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Topic: lights stay on

in Forum: C3 Electrical, Body and Interior


lights stay on

Posted: 4/8/14 9:39am Message 1 of 7
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PERRYSBURG, OH - USA
Joined: 4/23/2004
Posts: 317
Vette(s): 1975 T-Tops,Lite Custom work,Many engine mod. 700R4 trans. body is shaved,17" wheels bf goodrich g-force tires,heavy sway bars front&rear rack&pinion steering,550 slolom springs with gas shocks.
Hi, I'm back with some more problems. Well installed the new headlights....But when I turned them on all 4 light up!!!!! Even when on lowbeam. I changed nothing in the wiring. Nothing but the bulbs. Man spring start up are getting worse every year. Anyway I think it must be a ground problem? But man I'm at a loss. I'm not sure were to even start checking. Anybody ever have this sort of problem? I turn to you guys at times like this as you have always come through. Best damn website on the internet. Thanks in advance, George P.S. vette maybe forsale!!!!!!!


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Re: lights stay on

Posted: 4/8/14 10:13am Message 2 of 7
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
 George...don't put it up for sale just yet!
Do the lights change AT ALL when you hit the dimmer switch?
My first, and only thought, is the dimmer switch. If all you did was replace the bulbs, there's nothing up front that could cause this that would not be obvious. I don't think a headlight switch could cause it.....it has to be a problem with the dimmer, imo. I'll check the wiring diagram to be sure, but you might try playing with the dimmer, maybe even unplug it, and see....check the connector, and the wiring around the switch for any bare wires, or any that are touching. Those switches can do crazy stuff like that with no notice....considering the location, they can also get a little rusty inside.


|UPDATED|4/8/2014 10:13:00 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|



Joel Adams
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Re: lights stay on

Posted: 4/9/14 10:04am Message 3 of 7
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Looking at the diragram, I can't see anything BUT the dimmer switch causing all of the headlights to be on all the time. Unless, of course, some gremlins snuck in there while you weren't lookin, and twisted some wires together....Smile


Joel Adams
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             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Re: lights stay on

Posted: 4/10/14 10:50am Message 4 of 7
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PERRYSBURG, OH - USA
Joined: 4/23/2004
Posts: 317
Vette(s): 1975 T-Tops,Lite Custom work,Many engine mod. 700R4 trans. body is shaved,17" wheels bf goodrich g-force tires,heavy sway bars front&rear rack&pinion steering,550 slolom springs with gas shocks.
Well replaced the switch. The lights go from low beam to hi beam and back. All 4 stay on though. He'll maybe there supposed to stay on ???? I don't know. Can't say as I have ever noticed. Been a long winter . :-(


Re: lights stay on

Posted: 4/10/14 6:11pm Message 5 of 7
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Zachary, LA - USA
Joined: 1/27/2013
Posts: 201
Vette(s): 1974 L-48 Auto. Just your basic Vette. GM crate motor w/vortec heads and intake. Crane cam. Scorpion rockers, Edelbrock carb. Lots of parts still in boxes... :(
Definitely not all four, on low beam...  I'm with Adam.  Can't think of anything other than a dimmer switch that would do it. 

Try this: 

Unplug the dimmer switch.  Should have three wires in the plug: light blue, tan, and light green.  Turn the headlights on, and check for voltage at the light blue wire.  Should be 12v, with the other two dead. 

Turn the lights off, and run a heavy duty jumper wire between the light blue wire and the tan wire. 

Turn the lights back on and the two outside headlights only should be on, on low beam.  The "bright" indicator on the tach should also be out.

Kill the lights, and move the jumper... Jump from the light blue wire to the light green wire.  Turn the lights on: all four should be on (outsides on high beam), and the "bright" indicator on the tach should be lit up. 

Let me know what you find!





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Re: lights stay on

Posted: 4/10/14 6:22pm Message 6 of 7
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Zachary, LA - USA
Joined: 1/27/2013
Posts: 201
Vette(s): 1974 L-48 Auto. Just your basic Vette. GM crate motor w/vortec heads and intake. Crane cam. Scorpion rockers, Edelbrock carb. Lots of parts still in boxes... :(
I just re-read your post.  The outside ones go from hi to lo, but the inside ones stay on all the time?  Does the "bright" light on the tach go on and off? 

Something smells fishy...





"Let them that don't want none have memories of not gettin' any."
- Brother Dave Gardner

Re: lights stay on

Posted: 4/10/14 7:11pm Message 7 of 7
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Outer lights ONLY for low beam. All 4 for high, with the outers changing from low to high. You changed the dimmer switch,or headlight switch?
If the dimmer was changed, then you have to have a couple of wires shorted together, most likely right in the area of the dimmer. Time to bring out the ohm meter, and start checking....Unhappy


Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

in Forum: C3 Electrical, Body and Interior


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