1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

what happens if I have no headlights in the circuit ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-30-19, 10:44 PM
  #1  
Damn, it did start!

Thread Starter
 
Richard Miller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: washington
Posts: 2,678
Received 365 Likes on 226 Posts
what happens if I have no headlights in the circuit ?

FYI, the electrical system is being bench tested and is currently on a ping pong table...

I am in need of some illumination. I have a 1983 harness with a 1980 headlight combination switch. (thanks to foxed.ca) everything seems to work. if my lights are set to off and I use the headlight motor switch the headlight motor engages and rotates the unit to raise the headlights. turn the headlight motor switch off and the rotate again, everything seems as it should be. The excitement comes when I turn the headlights on. Please remember I do not have any headlights in the circuit. Parking and tail lights come on. no motor to raise the headlights. Headlight motor switch is in the common "down" or not "up " position. As I was saying the motor does not engage. Unless I place the headlight motor switch to up, the the lil bastard continually runs the headlight motor. I have been pouring over the schematic and I don't see what would cause this. I doubt it is a really failure on the motorized units as what are the chances of both failing, but also working fine without the headlight being turned on for service mode.

Thank you.
Old 10-01-19, 09:12 AM
  #2  
Happy Rotoring!

iTrader: (13)
 
Banzai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Iowa
Posts: 2,304
Received 376 Likes on 246 Posts
I'm having a hard time understanding your problem's description. In normal operation, lifting the lever on the column mounted combination switch one position, will turn your parking / running lights on. Lifting it one more position engages the headlight motors and illuminates the headlights. Pushing the combo level down one position turns the headlights off and lowers them. Pushing the lever down the second position turns off the running lights. Turning the headlight switch on the center dash to on, will raise the headlight buckets w/o illuminating the lamps. Turning it off, lowers them.

At least that's the way it is for an SA. Not sure if an FB combination switch is different or what the affects are of using an SA switch w/ an FB harness.

Last edited by Banzai; 10-01-19 at 09:17 AM.
Old 10-01-19, 09:59 AM
  #3  
ancient wizard...

 
GSLSEforme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Maryland
Posts: 2,335
Received 256 Likes on 209 Posts
Originally Posted by Banzai
I'm having a hard time understanding your problem's description. In normal operation, lifting the lever on the column mounted combination switch one position, will turn your parking / running lights on. Lifting it one more position engages the headlight motors and illuminates the headlights. Pushing the combo level down one position turns the headlights off and lowers them. Pushing the lever down the second position turns off the running lights. Turning the headlight switch on the center dash to on, will raise the headlight buckets w/o illuminating the lamps. Turning it off, lowers them.

At least that's the way it is for an SA. Not sure if an FB combination switch is different or what the affects are of using an SA switch w/ an FB harness.
+1 maybe headlight motor(s) not operational with combo switch in headlights on position?
Old 10-01-19, 10:35 AM
  #4  
Damn, it did start!

Thread Starter
 
Richard Miller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: washington
Posts: 2,678
Received 365 Likes on 226 Posts
to my eye, the wiring is identical, the switches are identical. the only differences I have found are the harness plugs.




1980 on left 1983 on right
Old 10-04-19, 08:10 AM
  #5  
Slowly but surely

iTrader: (9)
 
craaaazzy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: GA
Posts: 1,678
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
maybe an issue w/ the combo switch itself?
Old 10-05-19, 09:48 AM
  #6  
Damn, it did start!

Thread Starter
 
Richard Miller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: washington
Posts: 2,678
Received 365 Likes on 226 Posts
that has been kicking around in my mind
Old 10-05-19, 09:59 AM
  #7  
84SE-EGI helpy-helperton

 
LongDuck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 3,314
Received 359 Likes on 250 Posts
Check your Headlights Fusible Link and associated fuses under dash box.

Had that happen on my 80LS, and while it's pretty hilarious the first time, as the flips go out of time and it starts winking like Andrew Dice Clay at a singles bar - eventually it gets old and you replace the Fusible Link at the DS Strut tower.
Old 10-05-19, 11:14 AM
  #8  
Damn, it did start!

Thread Starter
 
Richard Miller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: washington
Posts: 2,678
Received 365 Likes on 226 Posts
New fuseable links. are already installed.
Old 10-19-19, 06:20 PM
  #9  
Damn, it did start!

Thread Starter
 
Richard Miller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: washington
Posts: 2,678
Received 365 Likes on 226 Posts
Got it figured out. And really, this scares me. I am putting an 83 harness in an 80 chassis. I am using the 83 cluster but keeping the SA radio surround. Headlight switch and so on.. After carefully studying the two schematics everything made sense. red goes to red, red/ yellow goes to red/yellow... some how I managed to get all three red wires messed up. A quick repin and everything is on point.
Old 10-19-19, 07:39 PM
  #10  
Moderator

iTrader: (2)
 
rxtasy3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Spartanburg, SC
Posts: 9,316
Likes: 0
Received 256 Likes on 237 Posts
excellent!
Old 10-19-19, 10:56 PM
  #11  
ancient wizard...

 
GSLSEforme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Maryland
Posts: 2,335
Received 256 Likes on 209 Posts
In the trade,.we call that “self inflicted”

Nobody that posts here can say they’ve never done something like that,myself included and in 45+years I did this more than once. I’ll keep the actual number to myself. Why would you know the number you say?...
Simple,so I never did that same thing again.
There are times I ain’t the brightest bulb ;on the tree and I’m allowed to say that cuz I reserve the right!!!

OP,sometimes when you’re tired and should have taken a break,or just plain gone to bed...this is when i’m most ripe for something like that to happen.

Fortunate,you were doing this on a table and not in the car,you would have figured it out but not as fast.

You get an A for perseverance!!
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
doody22
Electromotive TEC
4
04-14-11 12:18 PM
turboren
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
10
12-30-09 07:45 AM
Whizbang
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
4
11-07-06 08:05 AM
Rx7000
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
10
08-19-04 10:30 AM



Quick Reply: what happens if I have no headlights in the circuit ?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:10 AM.