hi folks i've got a 71 olds cutlass

the other night i lost my high beams at the same time- given they both went i figured its a fuse issue.

since getting the car i changed over some of the crusty fuses but not all- i can't for the life of me figure out which one it is.

i've put up a photo of the fusebox, can someone let me know which one i need to change?

many thanks

 

my $$$ is on the switch on the floor

 

The main headlight switch feeds off the main junction block underhood and is not fused. The main light switch feeds the tail and instrument lamp circuits and those ARE fused.

Since they both failed at the same time, I agree with Jeff that the floor dimmer switch is the culprit.

Do all four lamps go out on high beam, or has the car been modified so that only the inner lamps are on when high beam is selected?

 

thanks jeffrey, found the switch under the handbrake pedal. pressing it puts the high beams on so theres a circuit.
the switch just goes in and out, is it supposed to click and stay locked on high beams? i've got long legs so i'm figuring i've bumped this trying to get in the car or sliding across to get the ticket for the multistorey carpark (yep, its on the other side here)

 

I would check the dimmer switch and the wiring too, I used to fix them at the gas station by jiggling the plug at the switch.

The headlights aren't fused in the panel so you're not going to find it.
The headlamp circuit is protected by a circuit breaker in the switch, the headlights will flicker if there's a short.
Page 12-76 in the '71 Olds chassis service manual.

edit: Just saw your post...never mind.
I hate when stuff like that happens but it's so nice when you find the stupid problem.

 

yep jeffrey, just had a look- i figure its my less than elegant slide across the bench seat to get the ticket by hitting the handbrake pedal and leaping across to the other side. i'll be more careful in the future.
have found the switch to be a bit loose, have popped it back where it should be and now beams are on all the time.
thanks for your post rocketraider- its all 4 on high beams. thanks for the info, once you learn these things you never forget.

 

ta bluevista, i don't remember any flickering so hopefully no wiring problems.

mate, i've seriously considered just reversing into the bloody car parks to get around it thanks again the good ppl at CO for solving the problems, it makes being a first time older car owner alot less stressful

 

glad you found it - yes, the switch has "CLICK " press and CLICK and release once, high beams on (all 4 headlights) press again CLICK and release, back to 2 low beams

 

Pop the connectors out of the housing.

If there is corrosion, the headlights do not get enough current.

Ask me how I know......

 

change the switch.had one of them go up in smoke once.

 

$8.75 Old Buick Parts

 

thanks jeff, picked up one of those babies. Have found a good local mechanic that has given the car a once over, the actual part this connects to had gone but he had one left over from a pontiac used previously. now got full and lows working again

had the car over at my uncles who has a hoist and pleasantly surprised with the underneath of the car which i haven't had a chance to look at myself. very clean and rust free