66 Cutlass headlights

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 15, 2020 | 08:22 PM
  #1  
1973CutlassS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 15
From: Michigan
66 Cutlass headlights

Having lots of issues with my lights on my 66. Started out with no headlights and no dash lights or tail lights when switch pulled to headlight position, but otherwise everything worked. Figured switch was bad so replaced it but now only my headlights and parking lights work. Put old switch back in after cleaning the headlight terminal and still only headlights and parking lights. Using a jumper wire I can jump the battery red terminal on the switch plug to everything else on the plug and they all work. But jumping the brown/White feed from the fuse box will not, even though I have voltage there. Also when parking lights are on, there is a faint glow from the headlights.
Old Mar 15, 2020 | 08:26 PM
  #2  
66-3X2 442's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,196
From: Birmingham,Alabama
Originally Posted by 1973CutlassS
Having lots of issues with my lights on my 66. Started out with no headlights and no dash lights or tail lights when switch pulled to headlight position, but otherwise everything worked. Figured switch was bad so replaced it but now only my headlights and parking lights work. Put old switch back in after cleaning the headlight terminal and still only headlights and parking lights. Using a jumper wire I can jump the battery red terminal on the switch plug to everything else on the plug and they all work. But jumping the brown/White feed from the fuse box will not, even though I have voltage there. Also when parking lights are on, there is a faint glow from the headlights.
Replace the dimmer switch.
Old Mar 15, 2020 | 08:30 PM
  #3  
oldcutlass's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42,512
From: Poteau, Ok
Check your grounds. Did you check the tail light fuse?
Old Mar 15, 2020 | 08:41 PM
  #4  
1973CutlassS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 15
From: Michigan
Yes all fuses have been replaced, and the fuse holders cleaned. When I bought the car none of the lights worked because of rusty fuse holders. After cleaning, everything but the headlights worked. I considered the dimmer switch but looking at the wiring diagram I don’t see how it would affect the panel lights, dome lamps, brake and tail lights. Also I don’t understand how just swapping the headlight switch caused these issues, even after putting the old one back in.


Last edited by 1973CutlassS; Mar 15, 2020 at 09:10 PM.
Old Mar 15, 2020 | 10:20 PM
  #5  
oldcutlass's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42,512
From: Poteau, Ok
There are differences in some headlight switches, as the parking lights on your car come on only in the park position.
Old Mar 15, 2020 | 10:52 PM
  #6  
1973CutlassS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 15
From: Michigan
Yes, I have the correct switch. The parking lights work per pre 68 design, it’s just that my dome, stop, tail, and panel lights no longer work, after only changing the headlight switch.
Old Mar 16, 2020 | 05:10 AM
  #7  
oldcutlass's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42,512
From: Poteau, Ok
Do you have power at the dome light, stop, and tail light fuses?
Old Mar 16, 2020 | 07:59 AM
  #8  
1973CutlassS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 15
From: Michigan
Yes I do. I also checked and have power at the stop light switch.
Old Mar 16, 2020 | 08:45 AM
  #9  
oldcutlass's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42,512
From: Poteau, Ok
Lets just do one of the lights in question, brake lights, did you check for power at the lamp socket?
Old Mar 16, 2020 | 11:34 AM
  #10  
1973CutlassS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 15
From: Michigan
Ok, so I rechecked power at the stop, tail, and dome light fuses this morning, and no power. But had power at the heater fuse. So I took the fuse panel apart and found power at the terminal for the stop, tail, and dome light fuses but not on the fuse panel side, plus lots of corrosion on all the terminals. Cleaned everything up with navel jelly and then coated with dielectric grease. Now everything works!!! So it was corrosion. But I still think my original headlight switch is bad because you have to wiggle the **** back and forth to get the lights to come on sometimes. And unfortunately I broke the wire off the fuse holder for the dome light 😡🤬. Is there any source for new fuse holders?
Old Mar 16, 2020 | 12:23 PM
  #11  
oldcutlass's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42,512
From: Poteau, Ok
Joe P found them at Del Mar Wire and Products
http://www.delmarwire.com/home/fuse-block-terminals/
Old Mar 16, 2020 | 02:11 PM
  #12  
Vintage Chief's Avatar
Running On Empty
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 26,225
From: Earth
Del City has them, as well.

https://www.delcity.net/productsearc...ock%20terminal
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
abrasv
General Discussion
11
May 3, 2018 12:17 PM
s5757s
Electrical
3
May 22, 2016 01:40 PM
patmills
Electrical
7
Dec 6, 2010 06:01 AM
TripDeuces
Electrical
34
Aug 3, 2010 07:20 AM
1966_F85
Cutlass
3
May 14, 2010 03:03 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:25 AM.