TJM70's_48 Posted May 15, 2009 Report Share Posted May 15, 2009 (edited) Drove the car last Sunday, lights were working well...head, parking, tail, brake and instrument. Prior to the Sunday drive, I had pulled the blinker unit in the aftermarket turn signals...with it in the circuit I had no tail lights or turn signals. With it out, I had good tail lights. Tonight, went to pull out of the garage and I have no lights at all...the one that has me stumped is the brake light going out with all the others. Tried putting the blinker back in, no change. I don't think the blinker is part of the no-lights probelm, but, thought I'd put it in just in case. Horn and heater blower still work. Is there a common starting point for me to troubleshoot? Headlight switch? Is there a fuse anywhere? Pardon my lack of knowledge...I'm still getting to know my car (only had it for about a month). Thanks for any help in advance. Tom Edited May 15, 2009 by TJM70's_48 Added info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJM70's_48 Posted May 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 My car has the fuse on the headlight switch. Found it & it had a blown 20 amp fuse in it (along with an extra metal end from an old fuse inserted into the holder tube...to make the 20 A long enough, I guess). Fixed it but, I think that my headlight switch may need contact cleaning...it was a little sluggish to respond to pulling it on. What kind of construction is the switch & are the contacts accessable for spraying with contact cleaner? Would anyone be able to post or email me a schematic, diagram or image of the switch? I don't have a service manual (yet). Trying to decide which one to buy. Thanks, Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg g Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 Just work the switch a buch of times that chould clear any smut on the contacts The fuse should be a 30 amp and they are longer than sae type. Check all your grounds, run new ground wires if you need to. 6V uses a lot of current and current needs good grounds for flow. Nothing brightens up the lights like good grounds. Makes your geenny not have to works so hard also. One other thing, lots of times these cars have had their main cables changed over to wimpy 12 volt stuff. 6V should have at least 1 gauge cables if not 0. Stinks when all the light go away, keep a couple extra fuses in the glove box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJM70's_48 Posted May 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 Thanks for the tips, guys. I did use the 30A fuse. Hopefully, the reason for the blown fuse was just that it was under-sized at 20A. I don't think I'd have had as much confidence to buy the car in the first place without access to help like this. I really appreciate it. No sense in re-inventing the wheel; if I don't have to learn by making mistakes it'll save me a lot of headaches! Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveplym Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 Here's a wiring diagram. It may not get you there, but it will show you the road map. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJM70's_48 Posted May 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 If it were not for 1) the kindness of strangers and 2) the internet; I don't think I'd have the guts to have bought this car. Thanks for the diagram. I really appreciate it. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George NU Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 Hey Tom , These car are simple to learn , and it is a good idea to do so, as there are less and less of Us Old Farts every Year that have grown up with these fine cars,Hang in there and try your best to learn about your car....This SITE , along with the guys that make it what it is , The Best! NU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rdemarti Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 Back in 1969 I was in High School. Drove my 40 Dodge coupe to a basketball game somewhere in Lafayette, Ca. At the end of the game a couple of the cheerleaders were flirting with me, so I offered to drive them home instead of having to ride the school bus home. Well you know there's safety in numbers so I ended up with one girl lying on the big ledge behind the seats, two crammed in the gap/space behind the seats, and two in the front seat with me. So far...so good! About 5 minutes into the ride home, the lights went out and all the girls started to scream (you know how it is). All I had was some tin foil I found in the glovebox so I wrapped it around the fuse. While I was repairing things, the girls all got out and were standing on the roadside in the dark. Wouldn't you know the school bus just had to drive by at that moment. All the girls were saying "Oh No! Mr. ks():dhsg? saw us, we're in big trouble now". Sure enough, the girls all got into trouble (suspended) and of course me being the guy, got nothing more than a cool dude rep. Life's just not fair is it? Thought you might like the story, I had forgotten all about it until I saw your post. Regards, Rich DeMartile Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJM70's_48 Posted June 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2009 Rich...great story. My new 30A fuse blew out on me about two weeks ago...at midnight...and we live in the country... Got off to the side of the road and impressed my wife - 10 minutes to replace the fuse and get back home. Haven't found the short yet, though. Not doing much night driving anyway. Before we bought this car, I warned her that on my brother's 57 Sedan DeVille, at least for a few years, everytime we drove it...something failed. She's blessedly patient. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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