Need Help with Headlight Wiring 1956 Chevy Truck

[BigMike56-72]

Well I took of the headlights and marked where each wire went but time went by the wayside (3 years, long story) and before I knew it when I went to install them the labels were blank(disappearing magic permanent marker). So now I don't know which wires go where. I've looked at the forums and online but cant fine anything. So I'm hoping one of you could help me out. Here a picture of the wires (mine) and the headlight (found online but its pretty much the same thing). What color goes where?

Thanks in advance for your help with this.

Mike

[capnduane]

You are missing the outside plastic part that holds the three wires. One of my headlights was like that, I ordered a new plug from LMC and spliced it in. The green wire is hi beam, the tan wire is low beam and the black is ground.

[BigMike56-72]

Originally Posted by capnduane

You are missing the outside plastic part that holds the three wires. One of my headlights was like that, I ordered a new plug from LMC and spliced it in. The green wire is hi beam, the tan wire is low beam and the black is ground.

Thanks for the reply. How do I know which prong is the hi beam, low beam,ground? When I removed them, the clips shown in the picture were just clipped onto the headlight directly. Are the two vertical prongs (on the headlight) Hi and Lo Beam and the horizontal prong the ground?


Mike

[capnduane]

The plastic body of the plug has the wire clips in it and only plugs in one way into the rear of the headlight. I think the horizontal prong is the ground and the two vertical prongs are the hi and low. At least that's what the wiring diagram in my shop manual shows?

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by BigMike56-72

Well I took of the headlights and marked where each wire went but time went by the wayside (3 years, long story) and before I knew it when I went to install them the labels were blank(disappearing magic permanent marker). So now I don't know which wires go where. I've looked at the forums and online but cant fine anything. So I'm hoping one of you could help me out. Here a picture of the wires (mine) and the headlight (found online but its pretty much the same thing). What color goes where?

Thanks in advance for your help with this.

Mike

You need something like this for those headlights. The plastic type may melt
Head light Socket

[BigMike56-72]

Thanks again. I will try it out when I get home tonight.

[BigMike56-72]

So I tried it out tonight and the lights worked but they worked both ways meaning that I swapped the green (pass) and the red (drive) wires and the light still worked. Black to ground. My question is which is the right way? I have the following adapter (shown in picture) that I am using. Thanks again for your help with this.



Mike

[capnduane]

Here's wiring diagram for 55 truck. The plug you have is not the stock one. The pigtail I replaced on my truck was a replica of the original with the correct color wires already installed in it. I would go out and pull the headlight out of my truck, and check the orientation of the wires, but my back has flared up and don't feel up to the task! Are you sure the wires are correctly plugged into your dimmer switch?

[BigMike56-72]

Originally Posted by capnduane

Here's wiring diagram for 55 truck. The plug you have is not the stock one. The pigtail I replaced on my truck was a replica of the original with the correct color wires already installed in it. I would go out and pull the headlight out of my truck, and check the orientation of the wires, but my back has flared up and don't feel up to the task! Are you sure the wires are correctly plugged into your dimmer switch?

As far as I know they are. I never removed or replaced the dimmer switch. I mean I did remove it but I did not disconnect any wires that were connected to it. So it's the same as when I first got the truck. I got the pigtail from the Truck Shop in OC (I figured it would work since they knew what I was looking for when I went in there) Thanks again for your help. I know too well about back issues as well. Hope you feel better soon. Maybe another forum member can chime in and help me out as well?

Mike

[capnduane]

Sorry I wasn't of more help, but with the plug you have, a WAG would be green to ground, black to pass and tan to drive. Good luck! Looking at the back of the headlight this would be tan to right spade, black to center horizontal spade and green to left spade.

[BigMike56-72]

Originally Posted by capnduane

Sorry I wasn't of more help, but with the plug you have, a WAG would be green to ground, black to pass and tan to drive. Good luck! Looking at the back of the headlight this would be tan to right spade, black to center horizontal spade and green to left spade.

What does WAG mean? Sorry. LOL. Thanks again for your help. You have been a great help for me so far.

Mike

[franken]

Sorry if this is a DA (dummb ...) answer, but wiring is pretty simple if you break it down.
Every circuit is just a path from the battery to something and back to the battery. Everything comes from the battery, and goes back to the battery. Yes, when running the alternator/generator is there.
Think of a circle drawn on whatever, or in your mind. The circle is the wiring.
Erase a bit of the circle and put a battery there. Erase another part and put a light there. You have a light that's always on.
Add a switch in the circle and you can turn off the light. All the switch does is connect the circle or disconnect.

The lines on a wiring diagram are just flattening the circle so they can put lots of them on the same page. All are the same thing--battery to switch (or control device), back to the battery. 100% of the time.

Electricity can be simplified for vehicles. For one, it isn't likely to hurt you. We have 3 parts.

Electromotive Force, or Voltage (E, EMF), which is related to the battery and charging system. Typically 12V in a car/light truck. This is constant as long as the system is working.
Load, or resistance (R) (lets keep it simple), or the things using power.
The 2 above create current or intensity (I) which represents the electrons provided by the battery and flowing through the circle.

The relationship is I=V/R or current is voltage divided by current. Or I/V=R, or I/R=V, etc.
The point is as resistance increases (dim lights)/decreases, current drops/increases, or as voltage decreases (dead battery), current decreases (car won't start).

Of course, since wiring exists in the real world, things rot so wiring goes bad, and/or connections get poor. Or, stated another way, resistance increases. More resistance, less current, more heat somewhere it doesn't belong, no bueno...

[capnduane]

There ya go! left- black, top/center- tan, and right- green. Worth a try, Good luck!

[dwcsr]

Wire it like this and plug it in

[vintovka]

I just rewired my all my 54 lights. headlights, turn, park and taillights. Took a while but straight forward. Be sure to double Check each connection before you crimp in connector and cover every splice with shrink tube. I have a full length schematic for mine and it was invaluable for wiring. A conductivity wand with a light and multi meter are nice to have as well. A large box of extra fuses are a must for us amateurs.

[BigMike56-72]

Wow you guys are awesome. I am going to wire it up tonight. Thanks again for all your guys help.

Mike

[1project2many]

Mike, if you need a photo of a GM connector I can get one tonight.

[BigMike56-72]

Originally Posted by 1project2many

Mike, if you need a photo of a GM connector I can get one tonight.

GM connector? Is that the original connector? More pics never hurt anyone.

Thanks

Mike

[1project2many]

Yep... the original connector. We were buried in snow last night but I'll get one posted.

[BigMike56-72]

Originally Posted by 1project2many

Yep... the original connector. We were buried in snow last night but I'll get one posted.

Thanks!

Mike

[1project2many]

I'm sorry that I haven't addressed this. We had snow again this weekend so more work. Here is confirmed wiring w/ OEM colors. I will get the actual connector photo tonight if still needed.

[BigMike56-72]

Thank you so much for confirming this for me. I appreciate it.

Love the username btw 1project2many. that is me for sure. lol.

Mike