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Topic: 74 Vette no headlights

in Forum: C3 Electrical

74 Vette no headlights

Posted: 8/3/09 5:42pm Message 1 of 8
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Joined: 6/18/2007
Posts: 25

Hello,

 
I hava a 74 that when the high beams are on all four light up but when i turn the brights off all of them go out
 
any ideal on what it could be
 
Thanks



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74 Vette no headlights

Posted: 8/3/09 8:29pm Message 2 of 8
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
Probably the high-beam dimmer switch, on the floor. They go bad quite often, and can cause this. On rare occasions, it could be the headlight switch, but that's really rare....I'd be checking the dimmer switch for a good connection there. If the connector looks good, and it's plugged in properly, I'd be looking for a new switch.
hth



Joel Adams
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74 Vette no headlights

Posted: 8/4/09 8:22am Message 3 of 8
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Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031
Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
And of course it is possible that the low beams burned out on both sides at about the same time.  Joel is right.  The most likely suspect is the dimmer switch.  Check for voltage at teh headlights, then lift the carpet and check at the switch.

Good luck
Larry



74 Vette no headlights

Posted: 8/4/09 9:59am Message 4 of 8
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
He says all four light up on high beam, so I'm assuming the low beams(the actual bulbs) are capable of working...


Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

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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"

74 Vette no headlights

Posted: 8/4/09 1:43pm Message 5 of 8
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 2/20/2003
Posts: 548
Vette(s): Frederick County Corvette Club (Maryland) Tan 64 365 Hp Conv 4 sp Red 72 4 sp Conv ..running a '68 327 Blue 76 Coupe L 48 4 sp White 79 Coupe L 82 auto Silver 98 Conv, 6 sp 35th Anniv '88 vette
Well the good news is that replacing the switch is a 10 minute job...and the part itself is dirt cheap...
GM used the exact same switch in all their cars for a number of years...

IF I remember correctly I think I paid like 10 bucks for one a few years ago...lots cheaper then the $140.00 I had to pay just for the little dash mounted rocker switch that just opened up the headlight doors on my 64...

Bob G.



Bob
64,72 & 98 Corvette Ragtops
76 & 79 & qa 88 ANC Corvette Coupes

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74 Vette no headlights

Posted: 8/4/09 4:55pm Message 6 of 8
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thanks guys i will check it out and report back


74 Vette no headlights

Posted: 8/10/09 6:28pm Message 7 of 8
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Sykesville, MD - USA
Joined: 4/27/2008
Posts: 4239
Vette(s): 1979 Corvette Coupe Corvette Light Blue Midnight Blue interior Mirrored Glass T-tops
I know its off topic but how are you doing, Bob? Haven't seen you on in a while, have you been well? Take it easy ( I still want to see your garage! ).
 
Barry
 
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74 Vette no headlights

Posted: 8/11/09 5:37am Message 8 of 8
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 2/20/2003
Posts: 548
Vette(s): Frederick County Corvette Club (Maryland) Tan 64 365 Hp Conv 4 sp Red 72 4 sp Conv ..running a '68 327 Blue 76 Coupe L 48 4 sp White 79 Coupe L 82 auto Silver 98 Conv, 6 sp 35th Anniv '88 vette
Barry...
Since you asked...
Been a very very tough last couple of years ....Until 2 weeks ago I had not even driven any of my Corvettes since October of 2007....Only started driving my wifes'' van 2 -3 months ago  ...

Severe reaction to a drug I was given to treat an infection I picked up in the Hospital after Surgery late in 2007... landed me back in the hospital BUT I lots the feeling in my lower legs...I could walk bare footed on ice and not feel any cold...

The feeling is returning slowly BUT ...its hard to "feel my feet on the pedals ...gas pedal is easy...I'm either going faster or not...clutch pedal ain;t no big thing either I can either shift or the gears grind..

But the brake pedal is a SOB...I can push as hard as I can but I can't tell if I'm pushing the brake pedal or the floor boards...   Driving the automatic Van is easy...(got a BIG brake Pedal and I can't miss the darn thing ...  just move my right foot over a few inches and push down... no problem at all

Actually I drove the 76 then the 98 and then the 64 last week for about 10-11 miles each..(no traffic just on the back farn lanes around here.)..I did ok BUT I'm not yet ready for prime time..and I'm not yet ready for traffic....when using the clutch I caught both the clutch and the brake pedal with my left foot...at the same time ...a couple of times... Hopping to be able to drive them IN TRAFFIC after a little more practice..
..
My Goal is to be able to drive one to our clubs show in September...  Last year My wife drove one over for me ...

Bob G





Bob
64,72 & 98 Corvette Ragtops
76 & 79 & qa 88 ANC Corvette Coupes

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in Forum: C3 Electrical


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