1964 C2 Headlight and Brake Indicator Problem with

[Peter C.]

Hi there:

I am in the midst of finshing up a dash harness replacement. I have the instrument cluster back together again. The tip on using 1/4-20 rod so as to get extra room in putting the instrument cluster bulbs back in was very helpful.

All the gauges are working more or less (ammeter is going from right extreme to left extreme and not sitting in the middle of the gauge - probably needs a rebuild this winter). However, I am now having trouble with the headlight and brake indicator lights. Both lights were working yesterday before I installed them into the instrument cluster (in order to get the headlight indicator to work I was required to ground it) including flashing with the brand new GE 257 (american made NOS).

Today I installed the various lights and connectors into the instrument cluster. While doing the install, I made sure that the brown wire went to the capacitator adjacent to the ignition switch. I was unable to locate an instrument cluster ground in the new harness. As a result, I ran a ground wire from the instrument cluster bayonet to the ground location on the bird cage where the harness is grounded (in addition I have an additional ground running from the same bolt through 12 gauge wire to the drivers side bellhousing bolt). Aditionally, I am unable to find a wire from the new harness for the capacitor adjacent to the light switch. I checked for power at the parking brake sensor (AKA pin switch) and there was no power regardless of whether the switch was open or closed.

Finally, I checked all the fuses and they are all good (when I initially checked the top fuse was blown but I replaced it and it did not blow again). I assume the one blown fuse was from my hot install of the dash today.

Please let me know your thoughts on how to diagnose these two problems:

1.) Headlight indicator inoperative at all times; and

2.) Brake Indicator inoperative at all times

Best regards,

Peter Cook

PS The high beam indicator works just fine.

PPS I have not installed a wiper switch as it still on order.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1964 C2 Headlight and Brake Indicator Problem with

Peter,

The headlight warning bulb gets power when the headlights are on and the ground is completed at the front harness so it sounds like it's working properly if you have to ground the socket to get the bulb lit.

Check the emergency brake switch for power and function. It's located on the arm by the firewall.

Instrument cluster ground is a black wire w/ female connector that plugs into a spade that's attached at the top of the cluster with one of the small screws.

Harness ground is a black w/ white striped wire that attaches to the bird cage to the left of the radio.

Bird cage ground is on the drivers side behind the rocker moulding and connects the sill with the # 2 body mount. All these grounds need to be complete so check with ohm meter.

Do you have a AIM as this will answer many questions.