65 Headlight switch...How does this happen.

[Gary C.]

So, I have an original delco-remy headlight switch and a later reproduction headlight switch. Both switches work as they should when put in my 67. Neither switch works properly in my 65. In the 65 the park lamps do not turn off when the headlight are on. This occurs with either switch. Both switches work properly in the 67.

The 65 is a mostly original old car and as such has a few battle scars...the harness connector for the headlight switch has some melted plastic...evidence of a prior mishap. I cannot tell that any wiring has been replaced or altered in the circuit however. The park lamps turn on, the signals work properly, the headlights work properly but the park lamps do not turn off when the headlights are on.

Anyone have a suggestion to troubleshoot this....is there somewhere in the headlamp harness I should look? or ???

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Gary

[William C.]

Re: 65 Headlight switch...How does this happen.

I'd start by looking inside the melted plastic to see if two terminals have shorted together to cause the headlamp feed to migrate to the park lamps. Do the park lamps function normally in the park lamp mode, IE no sign of headlamp illumination?

[Peter L.]

Re: 65 Headlight switch...How does this happen.

Gary - In addition to Bill's sage advice, it's worth noting that the original Headlamp Switch used in the 1965 Corvette production (also in the 64 & 66) was the Delco-Remy GM part number 1995131 (131 is stamped on the metal part of the switch assembly). The Headlamp Switch for 1967 Corvette production was changed to Delco-Remy GM p/n 1995149 (149 is stamped on the metal part of the switch assembly).
The CHEVROLET Parts History (Jan 1, 1965 thru Jan 1, 1973) shows "1995131 USE 1995149 04-67". While the 67 Headlamp Switch (149) was the GM Service replacement for the 64 to 66 Headlamp Switch, I don't know if the 131 switch operation functions( i.e., with which lamps are on and/or off in the various positions) are the same as the '67 149 Headlamp Switch. While the operations aspect might be academic for driving purposes, there might be a difference for Operation's judging for the 64-66 vs the 67. Hopefully, some other members have some first-hand advise as to the operations aspect from the Judging perspective. Pete

[Vinnie P.]

Re: 65 Headlight switch...How does this happen.

If I recall correctly, there is a difference and I really don't remember which, but the 1965 operation of the parking lamps is different than in 1966 or 1967. Just don't remember if they are to stay on, or off when the headlights are on...check the wiring diagram for both years and you'll be able to find the difference. I had a replacement switch and it was wired different and I had to move one of the terminals to another terminal internally for the park lights to work correctly...but it's been too many years for me to remember which is which.

[Gary C.]

Re: 65 Headlight switch...How does this happen.

Thanks guys. My understanding is that the park lights should not be on when the headlights are on. Mine stay on when the headlights are turned on. The same switches when placed in my 67 will turn off the park lights when the headlights are on, so the switches operate as they should in the 67, but not in the 65. This makes me think the switches are good and my problem is elsewhere, but maybe this is a false assumption.

My headlights operate properly and are not on when the switch is in the park lamp position. The harness connector has an area of melted plastic but it does not appear to allow any of the wire terminal ends to get anywhere near in contact with one another. I guess my next step should be to get a closer look at the harness connector plug and make sure all of the harness wire ends are in the proper positions in the plug as maybe someone has moved one of them previously.

Appreciate the suggestions.

[Carl N.]

Re: 65 Headlight switch...How does this happen.

Gary, you are correct - 1965 head lights on - park lights off - park lights - on head lights off - also check the connection at the bulkhead in the firewall and make sure they are clean

[Larry M.]

Re: 65 Headlight switch...How does this happen.

Gary:

Sometime in the late 1960's (around 1968) new federal and state laws were enacted so that auto parking lights and headlights were on at the same time. Prior to this these light circuits were separate. Old posts on various car forums indicate that in some states retrofit was required for the older cars. And in some cases the owner just wanted to do it.

I would check for a jumper wire somewhere in the harness, or perhaps the headlight electrical switch connector has been "rearranged" to allow this. I would start with the switch connector first.........as you earlier suggested.

If you "Google" this problem you will see that it has been discussed on other forums (Ford forum, old cars forums, etc etc). You will eventually find the cause.

Larry

[Gary C.]

Re: 65 Headlight switch...How does this happen.

Thanks everyone for pointing me in the proper direction. The purple harness wire had been previously relocated to the front of the plug.....it should be at the rear...after doing this, satisfaction, it all works as it should. One less thing for those pesky judges to bust my chops over....Now about this sticky wiper switch.

Regards

Gary