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Post Info TOPIC: 1965 B, No headlights...


Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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1965 B, No headlights...


What would be the common issue here? Just digging in right now. 

Lamps test fine. Tails, running and all signals work. Headlamp switch is brand new today.

Ground, wiring, high beam switch or circuit breaker?  Where is this breaker? 

Any ideas?

Thanks, Mark



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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT. 
 


A Poncho Legend!

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I would assume 66 is the same setup...

I would check for power at the dimmer switch and also power at any of the connectors. Could be as simple as a couple of burnt lights, bad dimmer switch.

We could do a phone call tonight if you like Mark.

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars



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Did you do anything with the floor dimmer switch? Could be sticky.


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Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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It clicks normally Brendan. I have running, tail and a dimmable dash, so I know I at least have power coming into the headlight switch. I'm going to check for power in at that dimmer switch plug. If good, I'll shunt the connector power across to low beam out, then high beam out and see if I get lights on either. If no power at dimmer plug then a possible wiring issue between the headlight switch and dimmer.

If lights while shunted at live dimmer plug; bad switch. Test switch. Replace. Delco D808

If no lights while shunted at live dimmer plug;  then it's an issue between that dimmer plug and the lamps themselves. First stop if no; check for power out at the headlamp plug while shunted at dimmer. If power out, then check lamp ground(s).

When done, I'm going to do a quick and cheap dual headlight relay setup near the horn relay as well.



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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT. 
 


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I believe I have the wiring diagrams for your 65 Mark. Let me know if you want them.

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars



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Thanks Carl, I have a 1965 Chassis shop manual. Came with it.

And...we have light!

Turns out it was a bad connection to the dimmer feed terminal. The connection had at some point become resistive and had melted the connector body a wee bit. A quick clean up of all 3 terminals on the dimmer, a deoxit of the plug connectors along with a tiny bit of Copper anti seize and all is good. Goes to show you how much current has to pass this terminal. Doesn't seem too high at 150 watts (4 high beam elements), but through a poor connection on a 14g wire you can see what can happen. Hence the need for relays. Imagine being in a corner at night and loosing the lights!

The car came with two new Sylvania Halogen High/low beams, so I stuck them in. Polished up all the front brightwork.

 

44984747605_b7c875af3c_z.jpg

 



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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT. 
 


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Yep... common problem.... to the floor dimmer switch inception to their demise when it went to the column... the wiring is the same through out (yellow, tan and light green)  The new column switches have their own host of issues...

NOW, question is, are you going to install the proper headlamp switch back in the car? You have park lamps on with the headlamps which didn't happen till '69... (unless you want it that way)



-- Edited by 67Poncho on Thursday 15th of November 2018 06:38:23 PM

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Vincent Jr.



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Never thought of that Vincent. I replaced what appeared to be the original vintage "Remy" switch with a Taiwan knock off.

Truth be told, I never noticed before if the markers were on when trying for headlamps. But I kind of like the look of having them on at the same time as the lamps.

Can always go back to the original switch if I change my mind. Cheers.



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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT. 
 


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It's a nice safety feature having them on if you happen to have a light out on one side. Original? No, but neither are halogen lights and there's no shame in having halogens in an old car instead of the faint yellow illumination of T-3's!

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars



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Preference prevails to what you like... The only one I ever converted was my '49 2-ton Chev 5-window... And only because I found era correct green cab lights.. I wanted them on with the headlights... and with them, the parks also come on.

 



-- Edited by 67Poncho on Thursday 15th of November 2018 07:05:22 PM

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Vincent Jr.



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I knew you would be doing relays. How many,,,, one for each light?
Will be following this thread.
I like your detailed explanations

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Cliff

Done Hurryin

Like the larger type for my eyes. 

 

 



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Yep, one for high beam, one for low Cliff.

 

You simply tap into your headlamp harness at the point it passes by from the fender to the rad support. Pick open the wrap, then simply cut the High beam (Black/Green stripe) and Low beam (Tan) wires and splice in the two relays.

The relay power (30) is fed from the horn relay power lug. There is usually room on the bus for another connector. Use a 14g wire minimum. 12g is better. I've been using relays with an integral ATO fuse with good luck. Cheap relays are available in bulk from Amazon.ca.

The relay input or trigger (86) is the firewall side of your cut.

The relay output (87) is the headlight side of your cut.

The relay ground (85) goes to wherever a good body connection is available. The left headlight ground is usually above or near the horn relay. 

There is usually a good hiding spot for the relays somewhere in with the horns if you prefer them hidden. But try to keep them dry and out of the weather.

 

The improvement in light can be dramatic on a 50 year old B Body, with all the questionable wiring, connections and switches. No more yellow light. It also takes a significant load off the main body feed, light switch, dimmer and wires back out to the relays and will brighten your dash and interior lights, allow the signal flasher to function properly at idle with lamps on, when the alternator output is lower.

Cheers,

relay.JPGrelay fused.JPG

 



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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT. 
 


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I already did the relay conversion on my El Camino. Dramaticly different !

Highly recommended.

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Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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I'm actually thinking of putting pre made and mounted kits together with simple instructions, to make it easy for anyone who's interested in doing a quick conversion.

You're right, it can make a huge difference.

 

 



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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT. 
 


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Another good topic on improvements that increase safety in these old cars. With the existing dim headlights/tailights and the single strap lap belts, I was afraid to the drive the Grande past sundown.

Perhaps you could post a pre package price?


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Keep the good ideas coming.
I did a switch over such as this when I installed an electrical fan on a Buick.
Seriously considering this for the Pontiac and Beaumont.

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Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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Waiting on relays right now. I'll make a prototype and make a post about it soon. 

If there is interest, I'll come up with a good price that makes it an economical upgrade, worth my while, and gives something back to the site.

 

 



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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT. 
 
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