Headlights quit

[Red Rex]

Headlights on my 84 GMC K1500 quit.

No low or high beams.

All others lights work, turn brake, parking, dashboard, can interior everything.

I have not checked any relay or fusible link as I do not know where they are located.

Would appreciate some direction as to where to look for the links or relays

Thanks

 

[legopnuematic]

Check the dimmer switch, sometimes they can get stuck in between hi and lo and can cause the headlights to not function.

 

[Rickf]

Also look at the wires from the + post on the starter, they may or may not have fusible links.

 

[shiftpro]

Check the dimmer switch, sometimes they can get stuck in between hi and lo and can cause the headlights to not function.

This happened to me on the high... in BC... in the mountains as I was in a curve. Met a vehicle with my lights on dim and hit the high beam right after passing him. He had bright blue headlights that also left me blinded for a moment then suddenly I'm in the dark. Yeah that was fun. I suspected the dimmer switch and within a moment I was stepping on it and got my lights back. Might have been in the dark for 2 seconds but still...

I never replaced that floor operated dimmer switch, and I made it cut my lights purposely. I just have to stomp it with authority and not ***** foot it like a soy boy. That's on my 81 crew cab over der <<<.

 

[Red Rex]

The multi functioning switch on the column feels normal and I do get an audible click when switching beams, just no lights. The truck starts and runs great. Would it still do that if the fusible link on that wire was bad?

The extent of my electrical ability ends with checking ground connections and cleaning plus connections. Electrical schematics look like Japanese to me.

 

[Snoots]

Probably one of these,

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Snoots]

In all seriousness tho, you'll need a test light or volt meter.

 

[Snoots]

http://www.mediafire.com/download/9...84_GMC_CK_Light_Duty_Trucks_Wiring_Manual.pdf

It's just like a road map.

 

[Red Rex]

Probably one of these,

You must be registered for see images attach

How did you get a pic of my truck?

 

[Snoots]

I strapped a GoPro to a mosquito.

 

[Red Rex]

Is that what bit me last night?

They are surely out here in middle Georgia.

I am certainly struggling getting this multi functional switch removed one replaced. I hope whomever engineered this is struggling uncomfortably whever they are.

 

[F-64]

Could it be the headlight switch? You may have the first section of the switch active. This handles parking lamps only. The second stage activates headlamps as well. It could be one of the contacts on that second stage.

 

[Red Rex]

Once my dimmer switch comes in I should be good to go

 

[MikeB]

This is an oldie but a goodie post about an 86 GMC Caballero with column-mounted headlight and dimmer switches:

A dimmer switch on a GM product is a switch that switches your headlights from lo to hi. It is near the ign sw. on the column. The power goes from that to the headlights either hi or lo. If you dim the headlight switch by turning the rheostat, that dims the instrument lamps. The headlight sw. receives power at pin 1 if your fusible link is good from your engine starter, and the circuit is undamaged and has not been modified before reaching pin 1 at the headlight sw. After the sw. completes internal through the circuit breaker, it leaves on pin 6. Then it goes to be directed by the dimmer to Hi or Lo. Switching the dimmer hi and lo can sometimes reset the circuit breaker. If you had a failure beyond that kind of luck, it is just going to have power at pin 1 that comes from fusible link at starter.

 

[Red Rex]

After 2 days chasing the issue is resolved.

Turns out the new head light switch I installed is defective new right out of the box

I still cannot read Japanese. Thanks for all the helpfully replies. This was indeed a learning experience