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no headlights or dash lights...

RootBreaker

RootBreaker

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Ok so since my truck is emissions exempt I have been driving it more and more... the other night I noticed I had no dash lights but I had headlights. Well truck sat for a week then I took it out again and for hellsake looked to make sure I had my registration and insurance card. Couldn't find my insurance card so parked truck and ordered up a new one..

I just went outside and put my insurance card in and figured lets start it up to charge batteries and maybe take for a ride. I was looking around and the gauges fuse is fine. I then turned on the headlights...
Interior light works, parking lights work (didn't check turn signals but will in a few)...but I now have NO headlights.. low beam or high beam..

so trying to figure out where to even start.

info on the truck...

1978 chevy 3/4 ton camper special lwb
all fuse block wiring is redone - ez-wiring 21 kit but I did reuse my engine harness. googling someone was talking about fusable links but to me if they were gone Id have no power???

in addition to throw a monkey wrench in it...
1986 GMC Jimmy steering column with high beams on column...

but as said this was all just working so this is weird.. not like something is wired wrong..

thanks for the guidance all...
 
The pull out headlight switch in the dash could be an issue. PO on mine had something similar and the fusebox had a problem w/ it not having good connection front/back.
 
^^^ First thing that came to mind too. Headlight switch controls the brightness of the dash lights and they've been known to cause issues. If it turns out to be the switch it might be a good time to do the relay mod for the headlights to take the load off the switch.
 
Would agree the switch is most likely the problem. Gauge lighting comes from it, but the switch itself has an internal breaker, with other lighting working should not be an issue with a fusible link.

Not sure how you can test the switch really, other than to swap it out. Since other lights work, it has to be getting power.
 
lol... I feel so stupid...

I crawled under there and was poking around with reaching up to see if I could unplug the switch as I was planning on taking it out...
well when I reached up... a silver thing fell on the floor.. looked like a fuse but cased in aluminum...
relay of some sort? so I look at the fuse block and there is an arrow... Headlights ==> and nothing in it.. LOL... put it back in and viola I got headlights... still no dash lights but I'm not worried about that at this time..

but still so now I have headlights so I can drive it...

for dash gauges.... could still be the switch? ill most likely just pull it and replace it if so
 
Sounds like your headlights have a automatic reset breaker. Easy to swap in place of a fuse.
And check and see if there is a fuse for the dash lights, I can't remember right now.
 
RootBreaker said:
there is and they are ok....
Click to expand...
Then can you check the dash lights dimmer on the headlight switch?
I can't tell you which wire, but you should be able to check with a meter to find continuity between the dimmer and an output terminal.
 
6872xtc said:
Then can you check the dash lights dimmer on the headlight switch?
I can't tell you which wire, but you should be able to check with a meter to find continuity between the dimmer and an output terminal.
Click to expand...

yeah ill have to.. not a super priority as I don't really drive the truck much anymore.. just to shoprite... LOL NO MALLS FOR ME!!!!!

but it is on my to fix list.

tomorrow I am going to get my hitch fixed... and mounted... need a recovery point lol
 
well been driving around and still need to fix this.. hopefully get time on this weekend to check why I have no dash lights ... more to come...
just wanted to TTT..

fyi my ez-wiring 21 harness

fuseblock.jpg
 
^^^ fyi the silver can is in where headlights arrow points... and red fuse where Gauges are.. is good... so more to come...
 
There is a variable resistor on the headlight switch. On my Ford its a coil of wire with a wiper that travels along it to vary the voltage to the dash lights. Odds are the wiper has a piece of trash under it keeping it from making contact, or the wire coil resistor has broken loose and not making contact any more.
Quick fix is a new switch. But if you pull it out and turn the shaft, you will probably see the problem.
BTW, DOT regs require a self resetting breaker on all headlight power supplies. Many cars have them built into the headlight switch. Yours looks like its on the fuse block.
 
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