Flashing headligths

[mitademedio]

I have a 1981 el camino that seems to be possesed,sometimes when the headligths are on they flash on and off,do you guys have ever had a similiar electrical problem,if so what was the culprit?

thanks in advance.

[cherryelky305]

I have an 80, and the wiring is a mess. I think its common for older cars to have hacked up messy failing wiring. Sometimes I have to choose weather to have headlights or dash lights, i cant have both. All in all its probably a grounding issue, some wire came loose or two wires rubbed through their coatings, it really could be anything.

One way to track it down is to take notice of when the problem occurs, when it rains, when its cold, stuff like that.

Anyway thats older cars for ya and part of the love hate relationships we have with them.

[mitademedio]

Iknow what you mean,Trying to fix a small thing it's like opening a can of worms,first im going to replace battery cables,second disconect sound system and if that doesnt solve it i will replace the headlight switch.

[bobss396]

The headlight switch is the cheapest and easiest way to go. That's what I always try to do first, the cheap and easiest things.

If that doesn't do it, hit your local library and find the chassis and body manual for your car, they should have them with some luck. Copy the wiring diagram section for the front part of the car and manually trace it back to the switch and fuse box. Look for pinched or chafed wire bundles.

Also look at the fuse panel first to make the fuses are all tight and the fuse box itself is secure. Pop out the headlight circuit fuse anyway to make sure that it isn't partially blown, which is rare but possible.

Bob

[mitademedio]

today while playing with it i found that only flash when in low beam mode,when i switch to high beams the flashing stops,so i guess changing the high beam low beam switch should be in order,i will post back if that resolves my probem.

[silicon212]

I was going to bring up the headlight dimmer switch as a failure in this, at least in my car, exhibits this behavior. Or the lights will simply extinguish.

[mitademedio]

Originally Posted by silicon212

I was going to bring up the headlight dimmer switch as a failure in this, at least in my car, exhibits this behavior. Or the lights will simply extinguish.

Ij ust replaced the dimmer switch hoping it will make the problem go away,but no cigar.I guess i'll have to keep looking,another electrical problem i have is with the wipers,everythng works but when i try to turn them off they wont turn off,only way to turn them off is to turn the key back to the off position,have u guys had this problem before?

[silicon212]

Re: the headlights: Check your grounds - there should be a harness-to-body ground in the vicinity of each light. Check to ensure there is continuity through these grounds i.e. the connections are in good shape and there is no corrosion - especially for the side where the battery is. Also, check your body-to-engine ground to ensure that's in good shape. When mine got torn, I simply went and bought a 2' piece of 2-gauge battery cable with an eye on each end - bolting one end to the alternator bracket and the other to the radiator support.

Does your car have intermittent wipers?

[mitademedio]

headligth ground is in good shape,i made sure of that,i dont think i have an engine to body ground,ill check that tomorrow,yes i do have intermitent wipers and was reading somewhere to disconect the wiper switch if the motor stops,replace the switch if the motor keeps going then replace the motor,i will check it tomorrow.

[mitademedio]

well finally got some time today and replaced the headligth switch,now the flashing lights are gone,still have to find the wipers switch,thanks to all for the help.