Headlights on, wont go out! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

coolguycentral · 08-31-2014, 10:55 AM

I took my super 72 out for a joyride a couple weeks ago, she ran great. I pulled up to the garage and noticed the headlights were on. I checked the switch, it was off and no other lights were on. I checked the high beams they still worked. Turned the light switch on, all the dash, parking lights etc. came on no problem, but when I turned off he switch the headlights still remained on. I pulled her into the garage and shut her off and the headlights were still on, with the switch off and ignition off. I disconnected the battery for the evening. I pulled the dash, replaced all the bulbs in the dash, replaced the headlight switch, checked all the other bulbs in the truck, and when I reconnected the battery: headlights on! I looked at the wiring to the sockets and the grounds and have nothing.

Any similar issues, possible solutions, or suggestions that I haven't covered yet?

**VetteVet** · 08-31-2014, 01:46 PM

In your headlight plug there is a red wire that feeds the switch with with power. The blue wire that is there also, is the feed wire for the headlights, and it runs to the dimmer switch on the floor board. The blue wire is not hot until the headlight switch is pulled out all the way. If you have a short in the plug between the red wire and the blue wire, then you would have headlights all the time. Did your headlights stay on when the switch plug was pulled off the headlight switch?

Here is a picture of the switch and how the wires go.

Name: Headlight Switch 1.jpg
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Name: Headlight Switch 1.jpg
Views: 804
Size: 56.4 KB

coolguycentral · 09-01-2014, 01:32 PM

I just pulled the harness out of the new switch, connected the battery and still the headlights are on. The harness is in great shape. Im going to mess with it tonight.

coolguycentral · 09-04-2014, 08:27 PM

I pulled out the dimmer switch and noticed some corrosion on the connections. I am going to replace the dimmer switch and harness and see where this gets me.

jchav62 · 12-13-2021, 12:51 PM

Old thread... but did this ever get resolved? I ran into the exact same problem last night on my 62...

El Dorado Jim · 12-13-2021, 06:51 PM

following

jchav62 · 12-15-2021, 04:56 PM

For me it was the dimmer switch connector. I plan on replacing the switch and the connector soon, but I was able to temporarily fix it with insulated connectors...

JC62

**bhap** · 12-15-2021, 06:40 PM

If you have headlight relays, give them a sharp "tap" and see if the lights go out.

RustyPile · 12-15-2021, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchav62

For me it was the dimmer switch connector. I plan on replacing the switch and the connector soon, but I was able to temporarily fix it with insulated connectors...

JC62

This doesn't make sense. The headlight switch provides power to the dimmer switch. If the headlight switch is working properly, when it's off, there is no power applied to the dimmer switch. Therefore, the lights cannot remain on (and not turn off) if the dimmer switch fails.

RustyPile · 12-15-2021, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhap

If you have headlight relays, give them a sharp "tap" and see if the lights go out.

Or disconnect the main power feed to them.

**kwmech** · 12-16-2021, 01:57 PM

Faulty headlamp switch--power has to come from the switch before it gets to the dimmer, unless relayed as stated above

08-31-2014, 10:55 AM	#1
coolguycentral Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3	Headlights on, wont go out! I took my super 72 out for a joyride a couple weeks ago, she ran great. I pulled up to the garage and noticed the headlights were on. I checked the switch, it was off and no other lights were on. I checked the high beams they still worked. Turned the light switch on, all the dash, parking lights etc. came on no problem, but when I turned off he switch the headlights still remained on. I pulled her into the garage and shut her off and the headlights were still on, with the switch off and ignition off. I disconnected the battery for the evening. I pulled the dash, replaced all the bulbs in the dash, replaced the headlight switch, checked all the other bulbs in the truck, and when I reconnected the battery: headlights on! I looked at the wiring to the sockets and the grounds and have nothing. Any similar issues, possible solutions, or suggestions that I haven't covered yet?

08-31-2014, 01:46 PM	#2
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,719	Re: Headlights on, wont go out! In your headlight plug there is a red wire that feeds the switch with with power. The blue wire that is there also, is the feed wire for the headlights, and it runs to the dimmer switch on the floor board. The blue wire is not hot until the headlight switch is pulled out all the way. If you have a short in the plug between the red wire and the blue wire, then you would have headlights all the time. Did your headlights stay on when the switch plug was pulled off the headlight switch? Here is a picture of the switch and how the wires go. __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.

09-01-2014, 01:32 PM	#3
coolguycentral Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3	Re: Headlights on, wont go out! I just pulled the harness out of the new switch, connected the battery and still the headlights are on. The harness is in great shape. Im going to mess with it tonight.

09-04-2014, 08:27 PM	#4
coolguycentral Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3	Re: Headlights on, wont go out! I pulled out the dimmer switch and noticed some corrosion on the connections. I am going to replace the dimmer switch and harness and see where this gets me. __________________ Sleeper '72 Cheyenne Super

12-13-2021, 12:51 PM	#5
jchav62 1962 C-10 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico Posts: 4,978	Re: Headlights on, wont go out! Old thread... but did this ever get resolved? I ran into the exact same problem last night on my 62... __________________ Joseph Chavez "See the USA in a Chevrolet!!" ......................_____ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(O)___//___/__(O)_/ 1962 C10 Shortbed Fleetside 327/th350 GV overdrive 1974 C10 Longbed Fleetside 350/th350 "The Trash Truck" 1999 Chevy 2500 OBS, Longbed 5.7/4L80E 4x4 2015 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x4

12-13-2021, 06:51 PM	#6
El Dorado Jim Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: El Dorado Ca Posts: 3,374	Re: Headlights on, wont go out! following

12-15-2021, 04:56 PM	#7
jchav62 1962 C-10 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico Posts: 4,978	Re: Headlights on, wont go out! For me it was the dimmer switch connector. I plan on replacing the switch and the connector soon, but I was able to temporarily fix it with insulated connectors... JC62 __________________ Joseph Chavez "See the USA in a Chevrolet!!" ......................_____ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(O)___//___/__(O)_/ 1962 C10 Shortbed Fleetside 327/th350 GV overdrive 1974 C10 Longbed Fleetside 350/th350 "The Trash Truck" 1999 Chevy 2500 OBS, Longbed 5.7/4L80E 4x4 2015 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x4

12-15-2021, 06:40 PM	#8
bhap Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 264	Re: Headlights on, wont go out! If you have headlight relays, give them a sharp "tap" and see if the lights go out.

12-16-2021, 01:57 PM	#11
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,637	Re: Headlights on, wont go out! Faulty headlamp switch--power has to come from the switch before it gets to the dimmer, unless relayed as stated above

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