[Gary L]

I am checking the new wiring out now. All wiring is new using AAW harnesses. Factory AC, factory gauges, auto floor shift and console. The ignition and HL switches are new.


The first issue is the parking lights come on when the battery is connected and the HL switch is in the off position. Basically on all the time. When the switch is in the parking light position the parking lights stay on and taillights come on. Does it sound like the HL switch is bad? I haven't pulled the switch out yet since it is a pain to do it.

The second issue is when the ignition switch is off, the turn signal flasher clicks with no lights flashing. When the ignition switch is on, the lights flash which I think is normal operation. I would think the flasher could not work without a load (no lights on). Maybe the turn signal switch is seeing power with the ignition switch off?

 

[billdini]

Grounds, are they all connected. There is a wire from the dash including the headlight switch that must be grounded.

 

[cherokeepeople]

yup sure sounds like grounds.ground straps back of engine to firewall,pass fenderwell to frame and i thin there is also one on drivers side.

 

[B52bombardier1]

I went cheap on a headlight switch for my 70 EC with similar electrical symptoms as you. Mistake, false economy. Should'a gone for the AC Delco headlight switch eventually which solved my problems.

Rick

 

[Gary L]

Thanks all. Grounds are what I normally suspect on car electrical issues. I just received the ground strap kit and will get it installed, but there is no engine yet.

Where is the ground wire from the dash located? All wires in the harnesses were connected. I believe the HL switch is grounded to the dash as installed.

 

[Dean]

A poor or missing ground will not cause the parking lights to be on or cause power to the turn signal flasher with the key off.
Something is miss wired.

 

[Gary L]

That is my thought too. I am starting to think the HL switch is bad even though brand new. The 20 ga. purple wire goes directly from the switch to the parking lamps. The HL switch is always hot, so there must be an internal short. Only other possibility is somehow the purple wire is touching 12V somewhere in the new harness.

As far as the turn signal flasher goes it appears to be powered from a brown 18 ga. wire that
is always hot. Is that correct?

 

[DUTCH MAX HEADWORK]

No engine. Where have you grounded the main battery cable? Do you have the small ground wire from the battery to the fender? I would ground the main neg cable to the frame and install the ground strap kit you have on hand. Then work from there. Ground issues can be a mind game. Best eliminate the potential before testing.

The red wire to the headlight switch is always hot as is the orange wire. If you have power at the purple wire with the switch in off, remove the wires from the switch and check to see if you still have power at the purple wire. If no power, then the switch is toast.

For the flasher, let's see what happens once you get the ground installed.

There is a possible but most unlikely way to configure the pin out into the headlight switch connector that would cause this headlight issue. A picture of the wires going into the connector would be helpful to verify this connection.

 

[Gary L]

Thanks for asking Dutch. I did not set up the background for this post. I have connected a battery to the bulkhead terminal and to the battery ground connection on the firewall to get power. Headlights (hi and low), turn signals with the key on, back up lights, heater/AC controls, pink wire to starter, radio, dash lights and voltmeter all work.

My next task is to dig the HL switch out and install body ground straps. I will get back as soon as I can.

Thanks for the help, all.

 

[Gary L]

Took the switch out of the dash. Connected the switch to the harness and have red and orange wires hot. The purple wire is not hot. In other words with the switch out of the dash the parking lights do not come on unless they are turned on by the switch. Strange.

 

[Gary L]

Well, both issues resolved, somehow. By removing and reinstalling the HL switch my parking lights work only by the switch. I also got the ground straps installed and the turn signal issue was resolved. I have no real solution but it all works.

It is clear once the straps are on the car the body grounds to the frame, frame to inner fender/radiator support where the battery is grounded. This ground path is important to have a common ground for all systems.

I am not sure what Dutch was trying to tell me about the switch connector picture he posted, but thanks.

 

[Gary L]

One last post. I found the problem with the parking lights upon reinstall. The switch was not fully shutting off from the parking light position. The thickness of the repro dash strip and repro switch caused this and the nut could not seat all the way. There is only about 1/16" between the parking light detent and off, but it works.

 

[DUTCH MAX HEADWORK]

I am not sure what Dutch was trying to tell me about the switch connector picture he posted, but thanks.

I just wanted you to have a reference of the stock pinout locations for the switch. Someone could have moved the terminals in the connectors and boffed it up. There is a mod that can be done to keep the parking lights lit with the headlights on. The mod is listed in the stickies at the top of the electrical section. I'm glad you got it all figured out. Now I know the issues with the repop dash trim parts.