64 High Beam Headlights Don't Work

[Jim P.]

Since re-assembling my headlight buckets, my hi beam lights don't work. I've tried many of the troubleshooting suggestions posted on different forums with no results. I'm going in circles. Here's happens,- on low beam setting ... low beams on ... hi beams are not ... hi beam telltale dash light is on,- on hi beam setting ... low beams on ... hi beam filaments are glowing ... hi beam telltale dash light is on,Here's a summary of parts,- original dimmer switch,- original dash light switch,- new low & hi beam replacement headlights,It looks to me like the 64 assembly & shop manual wiring schematics differ with respect to wire color locations at headlight connectors. I've tried both with same results. A couple other comments ... - the only forum suggestion I haven't tried is dis-assembling the firewall underhood harness to fuse box connection box (under master cylinder) and cleaning pins,- Many of suggestions center around a poor or bad ground but I'm unable to locate the source. Any help would be much appreciated.Jim

[Timothy B.]

Re: 64 High Beam Headlights Don't Work

Since re-assembling my headlight buckets, my hi beam lights don't work. I've tried many of the troubleshooting suggestions posted on different forums with no results. I'm going in circles. Here's happens,- on low beam setting ... low beams on ... hi beams are not ... hi beam telltale dash light is on,- on hi beam setting ... low beams on ... hi beam filaments are glowing ... hi beam telltale dash light is on,Here's a summary of parts,- original dimmer switch,- original dash light switch,- new low & hi beam replacement headlights,It looks to me like the 64 assembly & shop manual wiring schematics differ with respect to wire color locations at headlight connectors. I've tried both with same results. A couple other comments ... - the only forum suggestion I haven't tried is dis-assembling the firewall underhood harness to fuse box connection box (under master cylinder) and cleaning pins,- Many of suggestions center around a poor or bad ground but I'm unable to locate the source. Any help would be much appreciated.Jim

Jim,

I second the ground suggestion, the ground wires come from the headlights and bundle together in the harness then ground at the black wire that bolts to the core support at the top drivers side.

Get a test wire and go from battery negitive to that wire and see if the lights work. If so, the ground through the core support to frame is where to look, probably because of rust.

[Jim P.]

Re: 64 High Beam Headlights Don't Work

Tim,

Just ran a wire from battery negative to radiator support wire.

Same results, hi beam filaments glow orange but no light.

Jim

[Edward J.]

Re: 64 High Beam Headlights Don't Work

Jim how about the dimmer switch on the floor sometimes corrosion is a problem on the 3 wire connector? another thing I like to do is wiggle all wire connectors and connections to see if the light will flicker on or start working. another area is the harness connections where them pass through the buckets and mount to front of wheel wells, there location is prone to the weather and corrosion.

[Paul S.]

Re: 64 High Beam Headlights Don't Work

I'd check the dimmer switch wires ,too or try a new switch ( they arent expensive , if a generic one works then you can look for an nos gm one)

[Domenic T.]

Re: 64 High Beam Headlights Don't Work

Gosh,
Has all the signs of a bad ground splitting the voltage, not to rule out the other suggestions but that's exactly what a bad ground does.

DOM

[Bob R.]

Re: 64 High Beam Headlights Don't Work

If there is a break in your ground wire somewhere I don't think running a ground from the battery to the radiator support will find the problem. You will have a good known ground but you still have the broken wire to the ground. You need to run a ground wire directly from the headlight assembly to the radiator support. Just hook up something with alligator clips and see if that corrects the problem. If it does the ground somewhere in you harness is broken and the easiest thing is to just run a new ground wire.

[Jim P.]

Re: 64 High Beam Headlights Don't Work

Edward, Paul & Bob,





Thanks,
Jim

[Jim P.]

Re: 64 High Beam Headlights Don't Work

Edward,

Based on your suggestion I was able to get the right hi beam working by cleaning the harness connection from the bucket to the harness just forward of wheel well. Haven't worked left side yet.

It looks like the male connector end might be a bit rusty.

I was going to swab evapo-rust on those then clean with both connector ends with de-oxit and the apply dielectric grease to both male & female ends.

Does that sound OK or what would you suggest ? Also should I apply the dielectric directly to all connectors ?

Thanks,
Jim

[Edward J.]

Re: 64 High Beam Headlights Don't Work

Jim, dielectric grease is exactly what you'll need for any electric connectors. anytime you pull something apart electrical always use it to keep the corrosion out.