Headlights not working.

[pjdn]

I have the just the opposite problem that 96silverado350 had. My day time lights are workin but my headlight don't work when i turn them on and no high beam. i know about the override switch, that dont work, and my parking break is not engaged, and i checked the fuse and it looks fine. Any suggestions?

[777stickman]

Originally Posted by pjdn

I have the just the opposite problem that 96silverado350 had. My day time lights are workin but my headlight don't work when i turn them on and no high beam. i know about the override switch, that dont work, and my parking break is not engaged, and i checked the fuse and it looks fine. Any suggestions?

Since I don't what year or model you're talking about, I'll talk about a 98 C/K. Since you don't have low's or high's (the lows only go thru the DRL relay) I would suspect the light switch. On the '98 the power comes from fuse #8, a 50a fuse in the underhood fuse block. (just because a fuse looks good doesn't mean it is!!!). From the fuse power goes to the headlamp switch. From there it goes to the DRL module and out to the dimmer switch and to the lights. Recap: 1) Fuse, 2) Headlight Switch, 3) DRL Module, 4) Dimmer Switch & 5) Wiring. This out of a '98 C/K Service manual.

[pjdn]

Originally Posted by 777stickman

Since I don't what year or model you're talking about, I'll talk about a 98 C/K. Since you don't have low's or high's (the lows only go thru the DRL relay) I would suspect the light switch. On the '98 the power comes from fuse #8, a 50a fuse in the underhood fuse block. (just because a fuse looks good doesn't mean it is!!!). From the fuse power goes to the headlamp switch. From there it goes to the DRL module and out to the dimmer switch and to the lights. Recap: 1) Fuse, 2) Headlight Switch, 3) DRL Module, 4) Dimmer Switch & 5) Wiring. This out of a '98 C/K Service manual.

Sorry about that.The year model is '96. I meant to say same year/model/350 vortex engine. I changed out the in dash light switch with a friend of mine while waiting for a reply. It didn't fix the problem. I will proceed with troubleshooting the other devices you listed. Let me know if there is a difference between the '98 and '96. Thanks.

[777stickman]

I really don't think there is any difference, but not postive. ?'s. Are you sure you've got power from the fuse to the light switch? When you turn the light switch on (key in the "run" position) do the DRL's and the dash indicator light go off? Do the tail lights come on?

[pjdn]

I have run through and completed the troubleshooting of all (5) things you listed.
I have no power from the fuse to the light switch and when I turn on the lights the DRL's and dash indicator light go off.
I then started pushing and pulling on the wire harness going to the turn signal on the steering column looking for a possible short. Bingo! The lights started working and brights also with the tilt steering in the down position only. When I tilted it up more than (2) notches they would go out. I then checked out the connection to the turn signal and found it to be a solid connection. The harness actually unplugs about a foot down under the dash.
It would help to know what color wire I should be looking for. I have removed all wire-ties to try and isolate the short or broken wire if there is one. Sorry for any confusion. Im not not much of a technical writer.
I do however appreciate any help I can get.

[777stickman]

Originally Posted by pjdn

I have run through and completed the troubleshooting of all (5) things you listed.
I have no power from the fuse to the light switch and when I turn on the lights the DRL's and dash indicator light go off.
I then started pushing and pulling on the wire harness going to the turn signal on the steering column looking for a possible short. Bingo! The lights started working and brights also with the tilt steering in the down position only. When I tilted it up more than (2) notches they would go out. I then checked out the connection to the turn signal and found it to be a solid connection. The harness actually unplugs about a foot down under the dash.
It would help to know what color wire I should be looking for. I have removed all wire-ties to try and isolate the short or broken wire if there is one. Sorry for any confusion. Im not not much of a technical writer.
I do however appreciate any help I can get.

You're doing great man. You said you don't have any power from the fuse to the light switch, but after reading your post you definately do. The wire coming from the DRL module to the dimmer switch is a yellow one. In that connector ( C266) there's about 4 yellow wires. The wire your looking for is in pin E13?? As I look at the book it's the lower right. In the upper left look for a white or pink wire. Next to E13 on the same row is a purple wire (DRL feed) and next to that is a light green wire (high beam feed). These wires as I see it are not part of the "unplugable" part of the connector. Let me know what happens. I'll be looking...........Steve

[pjdn]

Okay. You are correct on having power to the fuse that was obvious. The word (no) is a typo. However, I found the problem. The shorted or actually broken wire was located at the solid connection of the turn signal assembly on the steering column. There are three rows of wire connections. The inside row has (12 wires), the middle has (7 wires) and the outside has (3 wires). All of these (22 wires total) appear to be spot-welded to the connector thats why I called it a solid connection.The (3 wire) connection consists of grey (top), yellow (middle) and purple (bottom) wires. Well both the (grey) and the (yellow) wires had broken spot-welds. Bad news is that there are (2) star screws that mount the turn signal assembly. The one on top next to the emergency flasher was easy but the one on the front face was hard to reach because it was so close to the steering column. Stripped out the star insert of the screw so Im going to attempt repair without removing. (Got any ideas.) I should have spent the extra time to buy the proper tool. I hate when I do that. These wires are accessable somewhat since they are on the outside. My patience was starting to run thin when I stripped the screw plus with the rain and all I decided to pick back up on it tomorrow. Slowly but surely getting there...Dennis

[Riche]

"(Got any ideas.)"
Can you get a dremel tool to the head of the screw and grind it off???

[pjdn]

Sorta getting a late start today. Their seems to be alot of cross-section and top surface area to the head. I thought maybe I could grind a flat for a screw driver slot. I hope I dont have to remove it. We will see.