No Headlights
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Milton Canada
No Headlights
So I swapped complete front clips on my '78 F-150. I unplugged the lights from the wiring harness on the old clip and once I had the new one in place, I plugged them in. As I'm sure most of you know, all the lights at the front of the truck (headlights, corner markers, signals) connect through this one simple four prong plug. What I have now is everything but headlights. Signals work, parking lights work in grill and fenders, but no headlights, hi or lo beam. I cannot imagine what the deal is here. For what it's worth, I have tried swapping out the headlights just in case they got busted during the changeover. The headlight switch is only a couple of years old and I can't imagine why this change would have had any impact on it anyway. I would love any ideas of what to look for next. I need to get this truck inspected, it's almost Muddy season here and I don't want to miss it like I did last year with my prolonged engine swap.
Thanks for any and all help.
Robert
Thanks for any and all help.
Robert
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Senior User
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From: Milton Canada
If you mean the single wire from the headlights to the rad support. Yep, both are well connected and weren't touched during the changeover. By the way, before the changeover, both trucks had lights.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2005
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How about instead of guessing you get a test light and find out where the problem is. The power comes from the headlight switch, to the dimmer switch, then to the headlights. If you end up with power all the way to the bulbs, the ground will be bad.
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Senior User
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From: Milton Canada
The dimmer switch certainly sounds like the culprit and makes the most sense. I didn't realize it could be an issue. The light switch is only a couple of years old, and wouldn't have been affected by the recent work. However, because I replaced the floor and had the dimmer switch off, I'm going to start there. Just got back from the wrecking yard up the road and there was nothing there that wasn't rusted solid, but I feel as though I'm on the right track. Thanks for your help all.
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Post Fiend
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From: Northern California
I agree, get a test light and find out if you have power at the connector for the Dimmer.
#2: check to see if you have power at the four prong plug at the right wires.
#3 Check to see if you have power at the headlamp connectors, at the right wires.
#4 Check the ground for the headlamps.
#5 good idea to check all your chassis grounds.
If anything is suspect, check the wires, the switches, etc and repair if nessessary.
Another thought, is the front clip grounded? How about the radiator support? Seen things like that happen, the clip and Radiator support looses ground, therefore so does the ground wire attached to them. They are attached with rubber bushings etc.. Check this with a test light using the positive battery terminal and ground the test light to the suspected section. Will tell you if it's grounded or not.
All the ideas I can think of,
Hope this helps
#2: check to see if you have power at the four prong plug at the right wires.
#3 Check to see if you have power at the headlamp connectors, at the right wires.
#4 Check the ground for the headlamps.
#5 good idea to check all your chassis grounds.
If anything is suspect, check the wires, the switches, etc and repair if nessessary.
Another thought, is the front clip grounded? How about the radiator support? Seen things like that happen, the clip and Radiator support looses ground, therefore so does the ground wire attached to them. They are attached with rubber bushings etc.. Check this with a test light using the positive battery terminal and ground the test light to the suspected section. Will tell you if it's grounded or not.
All the ideas I can think of,
Hope this helps
Last edited by 81-F-150-Explorer; Mar 26, 2006 at 05:44 PM.
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