electrical gremlin

[nyernga]

Ok, this may be a brain twister for most. It sure has been for me

Headlights off........foglamps off.......running lights on and all is ok.

flip on the foglamps and the headlights glow very dimly.


plugged in a spare light directly to the headlight connector thereby taking the installed headlamp out of the loop.......same result.

connected brown and green wires and ran a seperate ground from the black on test lamp and same result.. Removed the ground wire and light got dimmer but still drew voltage.

This isn't a major issue yet but I do prefer having the headlamps AND foglamps on at the same time. I'm concerned however about the amp draw when all the lights are on.

any ideas folks?????????

Len

 

[Agent 86]

Sounds like a bad ground connection

 

[nyernga]

Sounds like a bad ground connection

That's what I'm guessing also. The only question is where? In the headlight grounding or the foglamp? I did some resistance testing at both headlight connectors and the only variance is in the right side from the brown to green wires.
The beer will have to wait...

Len

 

[JonM]

These two are for an 84 but I doubt they are any different for yours...the two common grounds for the head and fog lamps are 106 and 107 Located on the radiator support brace. (left and right)

http://misterbill.homeip.net/vette/wiring/headlamps.jpg

http://misterbill.homeip.net/vette/wiring/fog%20lamps.jpg

 

[Ken]

Hey, you're the one who was screwing around with your lights. You broke it Len, now fix it! :L

 

[nyernga]

Hey, you're the one who was screwing around with your lights. You broke it Len, now fix it! :L

I'm woiking on it Ken......I'm woiking on it. So many things share the same ground though. Thanks to Jon I located the two grounds by the horns. I removed and sanded the areas but the problem remains.

I guess I'll change the oil for now and tackle it again later...

Len

ps: Thanks Jon

and Ken?

 

[JonM]

Changing the oil should fix it...the entire electrial system is connected to the dip stick. :L

 

[KOPBET]

Just curious, what happens when the HL are on high beam?

 

[nyernga]

Just curious, what happens when the HL are on high beam?

The high beams work fine and the HB indicator light works. I'm beginning to think it's in the fog lamp circuit but they're a biatch to get at. I know they work THROUGH the high beams so they turn off when the HB's are on.

Len

ps: Hey Jon.....the oil change didn't help.....

 

[KOPBET]

I would look for a bad ground at the LH headlight (black wire to gnd).

 

[ecss]

Are you using the OEM spec. fog lamp bulbs?

The problem you have can occur if you use a higher wattage fog lamp replacement bulb.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

Just a thought....

Could it be that the switch contacts on the high/low switch are arced and not able to hold current when the fog lights are on with the low beams?

 

[nyernga]

Are you using the OEM spec. fog lamp bulbs?

The problem you have can occur if you use a higher wattage fog lamp replacement bulb.

I do have a slightly higher wattage foglight bulb. It's been in there for almost two years though. The problem just got worse. Now I have no foglights and the two headlights light dimly. If I turn on the highs, I get blinded by both which tells me the highs work. To make matters worse, now the HB indicator light stays on no matter the position of the switch.

I guess the question now is thus: l _ l <---this being the bulb terminals......I have green on the bottom....brown on the left.....black on the right. I've tried various combinations but have gotten so close to the forrest that I can no longer see the trees.....:confused

Len

 

[nyernga]

Just a thought....

Could it be that the switch contacts on the high/low switch are arced and not able to hold current when the fog lights are on with the low beams?

Thats a possibility I suppose. I've never had any problems going from HB to LB or the fogs acting right. But at this point....I may need a good nights sleep before going back out in the garage.

Len

 

[wishuwerehere82]

Len,

It's sounding more like the switch is causing the problem, especially if the HB indicator stays on with the low beams on. The switch contacts may have broken off inside the switch.
Since the switch does control the output to the lamps and to the indicators, that seems to be the common link.

Pete.

 

[nyernga]

Len,

It's sounding more like the switch is causing the problem, especially if the HB indicator stays on with the low beams on. The switch contacts may have broken off inside the switch.
Since the switch does control the output to the lamps and to the indicators, that seems to be the common link.

Pete.

Thanks Pete. You're right about one thing. It HAS to be something both lights have in common. And that would be the switch. Especially in light of the fogs now not working. I guess it's off to Mid America for a switch. If I ever get this figured out I'll be sure to post the remedy..

Len

 

[ecss]

I guess the question now is thus: l _ l <---this being the bulb terminals......I have green on the bottom....brown on the left.....black on the right. I've tried various combinations but have gotten so close to the forrest that I can no longer see the trees.....:confused

I believe it should be Green on the left. Black on the right and Brown on the bottom.

 

[nyernga]

I believe it should be Green on the left. Black on the right and Brown on the bottom.

I'll go give that combo a shot.....


Thanks ecss....

Len

 

[nyernga]

I believe it should be Green on the left. Black on the right and Brown on the bottom.

bingo!!!!!!!!!

The lights work correctly, the foglights work as well. The only issue now is the original where the headlamps glow dimly when just the fogs are used.

you are a lifesaver ecss..

Len

 

[Agent 86]

Not sure what years, but the fog lamp can be grounded through the headlight filament. Give your fog lights their own ground and your problems gould be gone.