C2 65-Could This Be A Bad Ground?

[Mike M.]

I hooked up the headlights to try them and check that they are working correct. When I turn them on the high beam red light is on and no high beams. When I hit the dimmer switch the high beams come on but weak like a short and the red light stays on but also dims can't be a short or a fuse would blow. I've tried jumping the ground wire at the rad support. Nothing it stays the same. Any ideas where else to look. Its a complete new harness from Lectric.
Thanks Mike

[Gene M.]

Re: C2 65-Could This Be A Bad Ground?

Mike look first at a bad connection at dimmer switch. You are back feading thru low beams that's why they are dim. Secondly jumper switch to eliminate it as problem.

[Mike M.]

Not A Bad Ground

I found the problem. Left hand plug wires in wrong spot on plug connector. Black wire mating up with tan wire when plug connected. Switched wires in plug and everything works fine. I jumped the black wire right from the headlight plug to ground and everything went bright. Then check along with my meter and no circut.Thats why I thought it was a bad ground. Anyway problem solved,
Thanks Gene

[Joe C.]

Re: Not A Bad Ground

Mike:

Sounds like whoever made your headlight extender pigtails was following the Chevrolet wiring diagram. Take a look at the diagram, and you will see that it shows the wiring to be just like your pigtail was before you fixed it...........only problem is, it is crossed. BOTH extender harnesses should have the same wire orientation in the #1 sealed beam connector.The wiring diagram in your shop manual, which is also in the AIM, and reproduced in laminated form, has always been wrong. It has never been corrected! The problem is, that certain reproducers actually MAKE the headlight extension harnesses like it is shown in the diagram. Certain reproducers figured out that the schematic is wrong, and make their product accordingly.

Joe

[Richard S.]

Re: Not A Bad Ground

Joe, thanks for posting this VERY helpful information....it wiil certainly save someone some agony in this area during a restoration. Can you post suppliers who make CORRECT harness which will not only save time but cost as well.

[Joe C.]

Re: Not A Bad Ground

Rick:

I purchase all of my wiring from L.L. I am told that there is another excellent vender, out of California, I think. Sorry, no names.

I made the mistake of buying one set of headlight extension pigtails from a large and well known parts house, in the assumption that they were probably manufactured by Lectric. They were marked "left" and "right", which immediately raised suspicions, in my mind. After I discerned the difference between them, I studied the wiring diagram, and found the error. I rearranged the wires in the connector, removed the "left" and "right" tags, and installed. Everything worked AOK. I corrected the wiring diagram.

After I finished, I called L.L., and asked them if their extender harnesses are "left" and "right". They said that they should both be alike. I agreed, and so I had my answer. I don't know who produced the offending parts, but I know that it is not L.L.

Joe