parking light electrical

[Richard E.]

With the headlight light switch pulled out to the first position the park lamps light and the headlights are off which is normal operation. However, with the switch pulled out to the "headlight position", the park lights turn off (headlights are on however). The turn signals seem to work properly. I am wondering how to trouble shoot this situation so the park lights are on when the headlights are on. Is it possibly just a matter of replacing the headlight switch? All other electrical circuits seems to work fine on the car. I have had this car only a very short time and just noticed this problem. Any testing hints are greatly appreciated. Thanks much.

[Edward J.]

Re: parking light electrical

Rich, I know that in 63 this is normal operation, Do you have a 66 JM, it may spell it out for in the operations section.

[Richard E.]

Re: parking light electrical

Apologize for my ignorance Edward, are you referring to a specific technical manual (66 "JM")? Thanks.

[Timothy B.]

Re: parking light electrical

Richard,

The headlight/parking lamp operation you report is correct up until 1968 (I think). If you install the newer GM replacement headlight switch the front parking lights will stay on with the headlights.

[Donald A.]

Re: parking light electrical

66 Judging Manual ("JM") states "The headlight switch is designed to extinguish the front parking lights when pulled to the headlight position." So your system is working correctly Richard!

[Richard E.]

Re: parking light electrical

[Rich G.]

Re: parking light electrical

Parking lights OFF when head lights ON in my 66.

Rich G

[Donald A.]

Re: parking light electrical

Yes, same with my 66, parking lights are OFF when the headlights are ON. This function is confirmed in the 66 Judging Manual as I noted above.

[William C.]

Re: parking light electrical

Standard GM design practice until the passage of the Motor Vehicle Safety Standards act of 1966 with many small changes such as the side marker lamps starting in '68, per Federal mandate. I believe the parking lamp change was also part of that mandate.

[Larry M.]

Re: parking light electrical

Parking lights OFF when head lights ON in my 66.

Rich G

I agree........that's the way it was designed.

Larry

[Rob M.]

Re: parking light electrical

Richard,

Park lamps are off when headlights are on with my 66 as well. However, you stated that, "With the headlight light switch pulled out to the first position the park lamps light and the headlights are off which is normal operation." I believe this is incorrect and that the park lamps should be "on" when in this position. Mine turn on at this position and I believe others would support this function. You might want to check yours again.

Good luck

[Richard M.]

Re: parking light electrical

Yes 63 to 67 park lights off in headlight-on mode......so it is correct as is.

We had a brainstorming about this not that long ago when the OP needed to diagnose why his park lights stayed on in the headlight position....

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...408#post616408

In his case, it was changed by a prior owner moving the purple wire to the extra brown terminal on the light switch. The brown terminal is for tail lights, and is fed by the fused orange wire at the switch.

The OP swapped the purple wire back to the correct terminal and it was fixed.

[Richard E.]

Re: parking light electrical

Hi Rob,
Think we are saying the same thing, I used poor wording "the park lamps light" should have said "the parking lights are on". I agree with you; pull light switch to first position park lights on, headlights are off. Pulling out to the second position my experience reveals park lights & headlights both on. Thanks.

[Richard E.]

Re: parking light electrical

Ok, saves me a lot of time, nothing to fix! Thanks everyone. (Just a note: I realized the 66 Corvette I was currently using as a reference has a 4 way flasher wired in the circuit & this might explain why the park lights are "on" with the headlights.)

Thanks again.

[Matt L.]

Re: parking light electrical

Ok, saves me a lot of time, nothing to fix! Thanks everyone. (Just a note: I realized the 66 Corvette I was currently using as a reference has a 4 way flasher wired in the circuit & this might explain why the park lights are "on" with the headlights.)

Thanks again.

hi Richard,
my 66 has the hazard option also. however, it is correct operation when the front parking lights turn off when the headlights come on with or without the hazard option. i hope this helps.
take care,
matt