Trouble with lights

[baclay9]

Ok, my headlights and running lights haven't worked on my truck since I got it. The dash lights or brights don't work either. I do have turn signals and brake lights though. I tried trouble shooting it today. I checked the power coming to the switch and it isn't getting any power. I couldn't find a fuse that said it went to runnng lights though. Can anyone tell me what fuse it is? Anything else I should check?

FYI : it is a 83 C10

[joe231]

On my '89 the headlight switch is fed by a fusible linked wire that goes to the power distribution block on the firewall.
Do you have a diagram for your '83?
If not, check here
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/sm...?topic=11766.0

[baclay9]

Thanks for the resource Joe. I may be screwed though. That may as well be written in French. LOL

[baclay9]

I still can't figure it out boys. No power to the headlight switch and I can't figure out why. I have checked every fuse in the fuse block and I am stumped.

[RandyP]

Does the cab itself have power? Like your interior dome lamp, windows/locks (if equipped), radio (not fed with a hot wire directly to the battery) and idiot lights on the dash. Just trying to see if you have power in the cab or if the issue is just with the lamps.

[joe231]

Ok, I just looked at a diagram for your truck. The headlight switch is fed through a heavy gauge red wire that goes to the distribution block on the fire wall. it doesn't have a typical fuse, it has a fusible link on it. So the fusible link is either bad or the wire is un-hooked. Do you know what I'm talking about?



the wire could be connected here


or at the big lug on your alternator

[85burb]

Had same exact problem with mine. The big red wire that feeds the switch was getting no power. There should be like 3 dig red wires that are coming outside of cab. They should all have power.

[baclay9]

I saw that fusable link under the hood and have power on the "cab side" of that link. Let me go check it again just to be sure.

[85burb]

There are 3 red wires. Not sure what one is the right one. If you have power at all 3 take connector off and inspect connections.

[baclay9]

OK, the wire coming out of that fuseable link has power all the way to the fire wall. There is another red one there that has no power. It is coming out of the engine wireing loom and going into the back of the fuse box. It doesn't appear to come diectly off of the power distrobution box though.

To answer an earlier question I seem to have power to everything else. (Door lock and windows, gauges, ect..) Seems to just be running and headlights/brights.

[85burb]

Take the wire connector off and big red wire to the fire wall. Should have power there.

[baclay9]

I am calling the wire that doesn't have power red but it actually looks pink. It is the same size as the two red ones though. It appears to run through the loom on the engine and disappear down to the starter.

[joe231]

Originally Posted by baclay9

I am calling the wire that doesn't have power red but it actually looks pink. It is the same size as the two red ones though. It appears to run through the loom on the engine and disappear down to the starter.

that one should have a fusible link on it and be on the same terminal as the hot battery cable. I'm betting that is your problem. Either the fusible link is bad or you have a bad connection/corrosion.
Time to crawl under and check it out.

[baclay9]

Originally Posted by joe231

Time to crawl under and check it out.

YEEEEEE-HAAAAWWWW!!!!!!!!!!

I will check it out tomorrow and let you guys know what I find out.

[joe231]

[baclay9]

Ok guys I got it figured out. The red wire was running down to the starter and didn't have any power for whatever reason. I cut it and tied it into the power distribution box and walla...I have lights.

It doesn't have one of those fusible links on it. What exactly do they do? Do I need one? Can I buy one at the auto parts store?

Thanks for all the help guys!!!

[54Caddy]

You can get them at napa, They basically act as a fuse but in a wire. After a certain amount of power is on them they will burn out just like a fuse. Its a circuit protector. It would be best to put one on.

[85burb]

Good to here. Happy you figured it out. Put fuseable link in for sure or atleast a fuse. Just something.

[joe231]

Originally Posted by baclay9

Ok guys I got it figured out. The red wire was running down to the starter and didn't have any power for whatever reason. I cut it and tied it into the power distribution box and walla...I have lights.

It doesn't have one of those fusible links on it. What exactly do they do? Do I need one? Can I buy one at the auto parts store?

Thanks for all the help guys!!!

glad you fixed it!!

as the other guys have stated, a fusible link is a throw away fuse basically. you could just use an inline fuse socket. you want some kind of protection so if something were to happen to cause an over current (such as a short to ground) it will pop the fuse and not melt your wiring....