Headlights Stopped Working
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 2
From: Davenport, IA
Use a test light or a multi-meter. I have a cheap 10$ multi-meter - it's worth it for chasing down wiring problems, and you're likely to have more eventually. You could have checked that switch instead of buying one.
You can use any 12v bulb and spare wire. Headlight, dash bulb, brake light, etc. In a pinch I've just disconnected my turn signal and shoved 2 wires into the pin sockets before. Ground one, and use the other to find where the voltage stops, by checking at each connector. In your case, if the light comes on at the light side of the dimmer switch but not at the next connector down the line, then that section of wire has the short. (make sure the switch is on dim!) If it lights, try the next connector. If neither bright or dim worked, I would have started at the fuse block and worked, step by step, to the light, and then to the ground.
Often times the connectors themselves are corroded not only on the ends where they connect, but also where the wire is clamped to the connector. So sometimes when you find a shorted wire, all you need to do is replace the end, instead of running a new wire.
Hope this helps a little rather than confuse alot!
You can use any 12v bulb and spare wire. Headlight, dash bulb, brake light, etc. In a pinch I've just disconnected my turn signal and shoved 2 wires into the pin sockets before. Ground one, and use the other to find where the voltage stops, by checking at each connector. In your case, if the light comes on at the light side of the dimmer switch but not at the next connector down the line, then that section of wire has the short. (make sure the switch is on dim!) If it lights, try the next connector. If neither bright or dim worked, I would have started at the fuse block and worked, step by step, to the light, and then to the ground.
Often times the connectors themselves are corroded not only on the ends where they connect, but also where the wire is clamped to the connector. So sometimes when you find a shorted wire, all you need to do is replace the end, instead of running a new wire.
Hope this helps a little rather than confuse alot!
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Hey Bobby~
It was the two burnt out low beams I think. I do not have a spare one that has working low beams, but there is power to the lamp plug at the front and it is to both the green and red wires. Is the red wire the low beam? That seems to be what I have isolated it as so far... I also wonder if you guys could give me a few pointers to avoid this occuring again. I just replaced the set about 8 months ago and once of them was replaced about two months ago!! I am a bit nervouis about why this is happening! Thanks!
KILLER
It was the two burnt out low beams I think. I do not have a spare one that has working low beams, but there is power to the lamp plug at the front and it is to both the green and red wires. Is the red wire the low beam? That seems to be what I have isolated it as so far... I also wonder if you guys could give me a few pointers to avoid this occuring again. I just replaced the set about 8 months ago and once of them was replaced about two months ago!! I am a bit nervouis about why this is happening! Thanks!
KILLER
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,191
Likes: 4
From: Blairsville,Ga
Were they by any chance GE lights?I have had it happen twice and both times were GE
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: dallas texas
the gronds are easy to check make sure there all tight and maybe take them loose clean them with awire brush there should be one from the frame to engine to body the alternator is a little hader do you have a light or guage if you have a guage you can watch it close to see if it overcharges if not you can take it to a shop and have it checked i have a portable voltmeter ihook up as you drive it records the lowest and higest reading but its pretty pricey and not worth a one time deal if there is a local alternator shop they should be able to check it shouldnt cost mutch paul
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Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Hey fellas~
It was the headlights both being burned out and I have hit another obstacle. In moving around of my parent's SUVs and my trucks, I have lost the two screws that hold my dimmer switch to the floor. I wondered if someone like numberdummy would know what the size of those screws were and their thread pattern. Thanks so much guys! You are an amazing resource!
KILLER
P.S. Paul, thanks for the helpful hints...I will let ya know what happens with the new set of lights
It was the headlights both being burned out and I have hit another obstacle. In moving around of my parent's SUVs and my trucks, I have lost the two screws that hold my dimmer switch to the floor. I wondered if someone like numberdummy would know what the size of those screws were and their thread pattern. Thanks so much guys! You are an amazing resource!
KILLER
P.S. Paul, thanks for the helpful hints...I will let ya know what happens with the new set of lights