67 Blinking Warning "LIGHTS" on Cluster

[Kirk M.]

What is exactly the "circuit" that actuates this blinking light? Mine originally worked fine after cluster reconditioning but has recently been acting up. I have some minor issues at the headlight with the wiring (bubbasized) and was wondering if something at the headlight actuates the light or whether it is something at the switch in conjunction with the lights being pulled out. Just trying to troubleshoot the blinking light. The problem seems to be that it works most of the way down (ie: as the headlights are lowering) but when the park, even with the lights on, the warning light goes out. Thanks.

Kirk

[Donald T.]

Re: 67 Blinking Warning "LIGHTS" on Cluster

The flasher is integrated in the bulb. So you may need to replace the bulb. The currently available foreign bulbs do not work very well. If you can find an NOS GE 257 bulb, it will work much better.

[Kirk M.]

Re: 67 Blinking Warning "LIGHTS" on Cluster

The bulb flashes fine when lit, the problem is when the headlight buckets are fully down it turns off - hence I'm wondering about what actuates the circuit sending power to the bulb.

[Keith B.]

Re: 67 Blinking Warning "LIGHTS" on Cluster

are your limiter swiches by your headlight motors working

[Kirk M.]

Re: 67 Blinking Warning "LIGHTS" on Cluster

are your limiter swiches by your headlight motors working

Here we go, I'm about to learn something new. I do not know what those are, so could you please explain. Thanks.

[Kirk M.]

Re: 67 Blinking Warning "LIGHTS" on Cluster

The thing is, the harness to the DS light has been chopped at some time and there are splice connectors on several of the wires. When I turned the lights on last week, I noticed the DS bulb was dim. By squeezing the connector and adjusting its position I was able to restore the brightness. So, I'm kinda wondering whether this "weak circuit" is what is causing the intermittent failure of the warning light at full close. Make any sense?

Kirk

[Jack H.]

Re: 67 Blinking Warning "LIGHTS" on Cluster

Each headlight has a micro switch that the headlight mechanism presses against when the headlight doors open fully. That action turns OFF the voltage to the warning lamps in the cockpit instrument cluster.

BOTH headlights need to open fully and press against their respective micro switch for the feed to the warning lamps to turn off...

[David T.]

Re: 67 Blinking Warning "LIGHTS" on Cluster

The headlamp warning lamp is just a warning that your headlamp buckets are not completely open. There are two limit switches (microswitches) one on the inboard of each headlamp pivot. You can usually access these switches by reaching through the gap between the front of the open hood and the nose of the Vette. These switches are wired to be normally closed, so when your buckets are closed the switches are "on." They control your dash lamp. Power to the switches comes from the headlamp switch. When you turn on your headlamps and the buckets are not completely open, the switches are closed and your headlamp warning lamp will light (flash.) When the buckets open completely the pivot stop will depress the switch actuator opening the circuit and turning off the warning light. Both switches must open before the light will go out. You can check the operation of the switches with an ohm meter after unplugging the switch connectors. The rest of the circuit can be checked by disconnecting the switch connectors and using a jumper wire on the connectors of each to verify operation. The position of the headlamp switch has no effect on the position of the headlamp buckets. It only provides power to the headlamps and to the warning light circuit. With the headlamp switch in the on position; if either switch is closed (jumpered) the light will be on, if both switches are open (unplugged) the light should be off. If you do not get the expected results, you may need to replace the switches or check the wiring between the switches and the warning light. One perinneal trouble spot is the firewall connector by the fuse box. The contacts here tend to get corroded and cause intermittent connections. Don't forget to put a bolt through the locking hole in your hood prop when you are reaching in for the switch connectors. It's no fun having it close when you hands are in there. Also if you are working on the 'bubbaized' connectors under the dash it's a good idea to disconnect the negative battery cable! Good luck.

Dave T.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 67 Blinking Warning "LIGHTS" on Cluster

Kirk,

You mentioned the harness has been spliced many times in the past. It may be a good idea to consider replacing it with a new headlight harness.

[Kirk M.]

Re: 67 Blinking Warning "LIGHTS" on Cluster

Thanks David and all. Now I have something to check and make sure things are working properly. Unfortunately, it is one of those time that I need a car buddy so I can wiggle some wires while someone else watches the warning light. Thanks again.

Kirk