Headlights not working

[jablack]

I've been all over this thing and can't figure out why the lights aren't working. It's an 85 GMC Sierra. I've checked the fuses, wiring, headlight switch, and the headlights. I'm just not getting power to the headlights, but all the other lights work just fine. If I'm missing something like a relay that I don't know about let me know. Thanks for the help.

[bitchin85]

do your brights work? my brights work but my lo beams dont work.. its the switch on the column for high/lo beams. i just havent gotten around to fixing it yet lol

[87chevy.com]

Your going to need a wiring diagram to figure it out... like *****in85 said, maybe your switch is in Hi mode and your high beams are out... but a wiring diagram will be your friend.
clint

[jablack]

I had the feeling it was something like that. The bright switch is not working, but I thought all four lights came on when it's on bright.

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Originally Posted by jablack

I've been all over this thing and can't figure out why the lights aren't working. It's an 85 GMC Sierra. I've checked the fuses, wiring, headlight switch, and the headlights. I'm just not getting power to the headlights, but all the other lights work just fine. If I'm missing something like a relay that I don't know about let me know. Thanks for the help.

I probably can't contribute since you have checked the wiring...mine weren't working then I checked some wires and found a few bad splices and after fixing them they were fine....What I was wondering is your wheels...I've been thinking about a pair just like those but all the ones I have seen are 4.5 lug patterns..are those not 5 inch will adapters or did you find a pair of 5 inch patterns?

[LONGHAIR]

Dimmer switch. This is a very common thing. The older floor mounted version was even more problematic. A lot of guys used to carry a spare because it only takes seconds to change one out.

[joe231]

make sure you have power going to the column mounted dimmer when the headlight switch is on. Have the lights ever worked? Have you checked the grounds on the core support?

[jablack]

I've only had the truck about a month. It was a shell when I got it. I had to replace alot of the wiring, including the grounds on the radiator support and firewall. I'm going to tear into the column tomorrow and see what's going on. It's a tilt and loose at the steering wheel so while I'm in there I'll check out why the dimmer is not working.
The wheels are 5x5 bolt pattern. They came off a 1979 GMC Vandura my grand father had. They were the only wheels I had that looked half way descent and had good tires. It came with some rusted rallys with no center caps or trim rings. The tires were big 31-10.5-15 in the back and 255-70-15 in the front. They had bad dry rot and one blew out. I'm going to clean up the rallys and get some tires. I love rallys..

[PapaBo]

check the ground strap

[jablack]

I've checked all the grounds. I tore into the column last night. I pushed the rod down for the brights and still nothing. I have power all over the bright switch but it's not at the headlights, both dim or bright.
On a good note I got to drive it for the first time. I think it's gonna be a nice truck. I guess it helps that everything is new..

[LONGHAIR]

If the power goes into the switch and doesn't come out......

[jablack]

Yeah. I'm going to look more into it today.