No head lights

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May 8, 2021 | 12:06 PM

lil'GreenExplorer

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From: NS, East Coast Canada

No head lights

When I turn my head lights on (1976 F150, with a 360) my head lights don't come on but the high beam and signal indicators on my dash come on. 12V is getting to the head light sockets but on all three contacts and there is what looks like a little ground wires by the head lights that has 12V on it.... any ideas of where to start looking?

May 8, 2021 | 02:28 PM

77&79F250

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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county

Maybe you had both bulbs burn out, or your headlight switch is bad?

May 8, 2021 | 07:52 PM

lil'GreenExplorer

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From: NS, East Coast Canada

possibly the switch, but I measure the light sockets and appear to be getting 12V on all three contacts

May 8, 2021 | 08:08 PM

77&79F250

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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county

Then you have a rarity and have burned out both high and low elements.

May 8, 2021 | 09:43 PM

lil'GreenExplorer

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From: NS, East Coast Canada

high and low on both sides? that wouldn't explain the 12V coming out the ground wire

May 8, 2021 | 09:45 PM

77&79F250

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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county

Well that was a SWAG anyway.

May 8, 2021 | 10:01 PM

FuzzFace2

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From: Angier, NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by lil'GreenExplorer

high and low on both sides? that wouldn't explain the 12V coming out the ground wire

How are you measuring the volts at the plug?
The only way to do it is to unplug all head lights before you measure volts at the plugs.
I think you said you can follow the ground wires to the plug but first test light to (or meter) to ground and then check the other 2 contacts.
1 should have power on low the other on high.
Then I would test the 2 contacts with the ground and see what you get.

BTW power comes out of the head light switch to the dimmer switch for high & lowto the head lights.
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May 10, 2021 | 10:26 AM

mudbogger2

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From: Hoschton,Ga.

If you have 12 volts at the ground wire with the headlights still plugged up then you have a bad ground. Voltage is getting to the headlights and looking for a good ground. Try adding a ground from the battery to the radiator support and see what happens.