Hi!

Only have my 1969 Cutlass Supreme for a month.

My question is ==> How should headlights/markers/dask lamps work correctly?

Here's the situation:
When I turn the DASH headlight switch ON:
-Outer headlights come on
-NO dash lamps
-Rear markers ON
-Front markers OFF

When I turn the FOOT Headlight Dimmer Switch ON:
-Red light appears on dash
-ONLY outer headlights stays ON

How should all these lights work properly?
Would like to make my dash lights, front markers & inner headlights functionnal.
Could the dash lamps be "dimmed"??

Any help would be appreciated!!!
Thanks!

 

When you pull the switch to its first position the marker lights front and rear, and the dash lamps (instrument illumination) should come on.
When you pull it out to the second position the front marker lights might go out but the headlights should come on, the rear lights and dash lights should stay on.
The inner (main beam or brights depending on which version of English you prefer ) should come on when you operate the foot switch along with the warning light.
The front markers going off when the headlights are on is a hangover from the days of dynamo generators not being able to supply the demands of the electrical system. I thought this had gone with the advent of alternators, but your car demonstrates I was wrong.


It seems to me your dash lamps are wired wrongly, they should be on when the lights are on in any position, otherwise all is normal.


Roger.

 

The headlight switch rotates left or right to dim or brighten the dash lights. All marker lights and front park lights and rear tail lights come on together with first detent of headlight switch. When red high beam indicator is on four headlamps should be on. Push floor switch and red light out and two outer headlamps on (low beam). This car should be equipped with an alternator.

 

So there is no question of a hidden dimmer that could be somewhere under the dash that could resolve my instruments panel lights!?

What should I check first?
Already check fuses, and the one for instruments is OK.

Maybe a wire or plug to check?
Thanks a lot!!

 

OMG!!! This is what I wanted to hear (or read!)!
Thought that a dimmer was somewhere, but did not know where to look!!

Feelling dumb right now...

Will try it as soon as I'll be back from work!!

Thanks

 

To reiterate and amend Roger's post:

Headlight switch Position 1:

• Instrument Lights, through dimmer rheostat, Green wire, PNL LPS fuse, and then Grey wire.
• Parking Lights (including front and rear parking lights and front and rear sidemarkers) through the TAIL fuse and the Brown wire

Headlight switch Position 2:

• Instrument Lights, through dimmer rheostat, Green wire, PNL LPS fuse, and then Grey wire.
• Parking Lights (including front and rear parking lights and front and rear sidemarkers) through the TAIL fuse and the Brown wire
• Headlights, controlled through dimmer switch, through headlight switch circuit breaker and Light Blue wire:
  • Low Beam filaments on two outer bulbs through the Tan wire
  • High Beam filaments on two outer bulbs plus two inner bulbs, and instrument panel High Beam indicator lamp, all through the Light Green wire.

- Eric

 

Thanks a lot for ALL your help guys!!
Really appreciate all your replies and help!!

 

I'm afraid that your response demonstrates that you are wrong...

For the 1968 model year, the front parking lights stay on with the headlights.

As for the lights that don't work, basic troubleshooting 101. Check that the bulbs aren't burned out. Verify power at the connectors with a test light. Verify good grounds. This is about the simplest circuit there is. The fact that the red light on the dash illuminates with the high beam switch says the switch is working. The fact that the outboard lamps illuminate the high beam filament indicates that the wiring to the core support is good. This is either burned out bulbs or bad connections to the inboard bulbs.

 

Note to self, don't make posts in too much haste.
Hope I didn't cause too much confusion.


Roger.

 

Easy fix of the day: all my instruments lights, courtesy & console lights working!!


How did I fix it??
Simply turned the dimmer to the left and everything was Ok!!

The only thing to fix is the inner headlights!

Thanks again!!

 

Glad you got it fixed!

Wish they were all the easy.

- Eric