1964 Headlight Warning Flasher Not Working

**William C.** · October 30, 2003, 09:49 AM

Re: 1964 Headlight Warning Flasher Not Working

Yes, the microswitches are tripped when the headlamp doors are open to turn off the light. If the switches are not installed, or operating properly that is one possible cause of the problem. The circuit needs to find ground to operate the light, and it does this thru the switches. you can test it by grounding the wires at the switch to see if you can force the lamp to operate. depending on the year the feed wire might be either grey or grey with a black stripe. ground that and the lamp should light. If the proper bulb is installed (GE #257) it will come on and then start blinking with the headlamps turned on.

**Jack W.** · October 30, 2003, 09:56 AM

Re: 1964 Headlight Warning Flasher Not Working

Headlight warning switches have everything to do with it - on my 65, upon purchase I noticed the "buckets not fully up" flasher never indicated, and upon investigation, the headlight harness was "customized" due to a little corner tap incident in the past - one warning switch was plain old not there, the other was not plugged in. Put the missing switch back on ($8 per from LIC), hooked both up (with a new harness from LL) and saw the warning flasher for the first time. Note: pretty tough to install or just wire up these headlight limit switches without taking the grill off.

**Mike Yager** · October 30, 2003, 10:07 AM

Re: 1964 Headlight Warning Flasher Not Working

James:

Repairing the switches on my '64 solved the problem. Easiest way I found to work on them is to remove the grill and one bumperette. You can then lay on your back with a cushion under your head and work on them.

Before doing that, take a quick look and see if everything appears to be in place. If so, you may want to first do a continuity check of yor wiring from the firewall harness plug. Its pretty easy to check with some long test leads. If you have continuity then your problem is most likely the switches.

Good Luck!

**James W.** · October 30, 2003, 01:28 PM

Re: 1964 Headlight Warning Flasher Not Working

Guys,

Thanks for the help. I currently have the grill and front bumpers removed and after a repaint of the front clip. I'll start checking the micro switches and wires tonight.

Two more questions... I installed new micro switches a few years back when I installed a new headlight wiring harness. My questions are these. Can the micro switches be installed more than one way? If the wires are connected to the wrong terminal, will this make the flasher not function?

Thanks again,

James West

**William V.** · October 30, 2003, 03:38 PM

Re: 1964 Headlight Warning Flasher Not Working

the switches are wired in parellel and open the circuit only when both buckets are fully open. This then turns off the flashing dash light. The switchs turn off (open the circuit) when operated. reversed wiring at a switch will have no affect on the lamp turning on/off. If the switches were installed in some way where they were always operated (open), the ground would not get through to light the lamp.

I had the same problem on my 66. the pin for the light lamp was bent in the bulkhead connector from the factory.

A good place to test the circuit both ways is at the bulkhead connector.

Good luck

**Doug C.** · October 31, 2003, 12:02 PM

Re: 1964 Headlight Warning Flasher Not Working

Is the GE #257 bulb still available? Nobody in town even seems to have a listing for it.

**James W.** · November 3, 2003, 11:50 AM

Re: 1964 Headlight Warning Flasher Not Working

To all that replied regarding this subject, I was successful in getting the headlight warning light to operate. The main problem ended up being the light bulb not being properly seated in the socket. I had went through eveyones recommednations and it all lead back to what I figured was a bad light bulb. It was a major PITA to reach up and get the socket removed and reinstalled with the dash cluster in place, but I did it. The bleeding didn't last too long either. Anyway, it works perfectly now.

Thanks again to all who contributed.

Best Regards,

James West

**mike yager** · November 4, 2003, 02:17 PM

Re: 1964 Headlight Warning Flasher Not Working

James:

You must have amazing dexterity to be able to get your hand up in there AND be able to have your head and a light positioned to see what you are doing.

If you ever have to do this job again, please take a photo of you doing this! I have never been able to do this.

**James W.** · November 4, 2003, 02:59 PM

Re: 1964 Headlight Warning Flasher Not Working

Mike,

I've been doing it this way for years. My father still owns a few mid years and I learned this amazing skill as a kid working under/behind the dash of all his Corvettes. He would remove the drivers seat for me and I would lay down in the drivers side footwell looking up under the dash with my head propped up with a rolled up towel. After placing the light were I needed it I would go to work replacing the bulbs. I've done it so many times that I can more or less do it by feel. The light just helps me to see where my hands are. Now that I'm 40 years old, the cuts, bruises and sore back last much longer.

I'm convinced that doing this for him all those years as a kid kept me from growing any taller than my current 5'9"/175 pound stature. There was a some reward to it as he did let me drive any one of the 8 to 10 midyear Corvettes he owned when I turned 16 and until I'd save enough lawn mowing money to by my first 1964 Corvette which is the one I've been working on.

Thanks again for your help, I really appreciated it.

Best Regards,

James West

1964 Headlight Warning Flasher Not Working

1964 Headlight Warning Flasher Not Working

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