Strange '69 running light problem

[Skymarshal]

I'm putting the car back together after getting it back from paint, and my front running lights are doing something I can't figure out:

When just the parking lights are on, everything works properly- all the running lights are on. When I turn the headlights on, the front running lights (turn signals) go out. The turn signal function works fine- headlights on or off. It's just that the front running lights won't come on when the headlights are on.

I've already checked the plug at the headlight switch and cleaned the switch with contact cleaner. The front lights are obviously getting power some times, so the wiring is good. I'm wondering if it's a ground issue.

Any ideas?

 

[limey66]

Check the chassis grounds.

It sounds like your running light hasn't got a very good ground connection.

 

[67efivert]

there supposed to do that i dont know why but the light switch turns off the front parking lights when the headlights r on at least i know 67-68 does

 

[Skymarshal]

there supposed to do that i dont know why but the light switch turns off the front parking lights when the headlights r on at least i know 67-68 does

I thought about that, but didn't think it was possible. I thought all cars had to have front-facing parking lights! The side marker lights aren't really visible from the front.

 

[krash kendall]

That's how they are supposed to work. Either headlights or parking lights, but not both.

 

[bnickel]

yep, that's the way they work.

 

[yeloxr7]

I thought about that, but didn't think it was possible. I thought all cars had to have front-facing parking lights! The side marker lights aren't really visible from the front.

That is the proper function. If there was some government regulation that required parking lights to be on with the headlights, it came in a later model year.