headlight and brake light problems

evilkhemist · Nov 2, 2008

I have a 68 coupe that I am working on, and ran into a problem with the electrical. First, I have no headlights. I replaced the headlight harness, brake harness and the headlight switch. I even replaced the turn signal switch. Still no headlights!!!! Argh. Any suggestions on where to start?
I also have only one brakelight working (shelby LED type). I thought the turn signal switch replacement was the problem but no such luck. The turn signals do not work either.
The previous owners did a really nice hack job with the wiring, and that is why I have replaced many of the harnesses. Can someone please give me some advice and direction?

Tim65GT · Nov 2, 2008

Get a 12V probe test light and check for voltage going through the light switch.
If good, check at the dimmer foot switch. Here is a diagram to help you get started on the headlights:

68converted · Nov 2, 2008

I had a ground on the harness (drivers side front, in the plug cluster for the headlight/turn sig/marker lights) that just needed to be connected. Fixed the whole issue.

evilkhemist · Nov 2, 2008

thanks 68 converted. It was the ground wire on the new front harness that was not connected. Headlights actually work now! I still have the issue with the left brake light not working at all.

Tim65GT · Nov 3, 2008

68converted
I had a ground on the harness (drivers side front, in the plug cluster for the headlight/turn sig/marker lights) that just needed to be connected. Fixed the whole issue.

evilkhemist
thanks 68 converted. It was the ground wire on the new front harness that was not connected. Headlights actually work now!

Wow, what are the odds both of you didn't have the ground plugged in. Isn't this forum great!

I still have the issue with the left brake light not working at all.

Does the left rear signal light work?
Check for voltage on the Green/org (Left)and Org/blu (right) at the connector where the wires come out of the steering column while pressing on the brake pedal.

If bad, you have an issue with the turn signal switch/wiring.
If good, check the connections at the rear tail lamp assy.

68converted · Nov 3, 2008

evilkhemist said:
thanks 68 converted. It was the ground wire on the new front harness that was not connected. Headlights actually work now! I still have the issue with the left brake light not working at all.

Crazy. Well with all the help everyone has given me, I can't tell you how good it feels to help someone else out. No matter how negative the problem.

evilkhemist · Nov 9, 2008

Well as I mentioned before I got the headlights working, but i finally got the shelby LED taillights and signals to work.I found the left taillight bulb housing was not oriented correctly, the plastic tab had rotated about 30 degrees. That was an easy fix, just took me a couple of minutes to find it. After i checked the voltage and realized I was getting 12 volts, I wiggled it around and it worked. Thats when I noticed the tab was shifted. The turn signals fell into place after that. Man, electrical gremlins suck, but it is very satisfying when you crush them. Thanks for your guys help.

headlight and brake light problems

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