[7o Chevelle]

I picked up a 69 Nova last night and im having some trouble with the wiring. When I turn on the lights, only the side marker lamps, parking lamps and driver side tail light come on. Headlights don't come on, dash lights don't come on and passenger side tail light doesn't come on. But when I press the brights the driver side headlight comes on. I don't get it, all the fuses are good?

& also the wipers don't come on. I wonder if it's all connected to the same problem? Im not very good when it comes to wiring so I may sound dumb.

 

[Pioneer4x4]

With that many issues I would start with checking ground wiring.

 

[7o Chevelle]

With that many issues I would start with checking ground wiring.

Ok.

 

[blm]

I would start with the simple things first like checking/swapping the bulbs. Could be just a bunch of burned out bulbs. Next I would check all the grounds. If no fix or not a complete fix I would check the headlight switch. All the lights you mentioned run through the headlight switch which can be purchased at most auto parts store or just slave in one from another car to test. A multimeter comes in very handy when troubleshooting electrical problems.

 

[Coppertop]

I picked up a 69 Nova last night and im having some trouble with the wiring. When I turn on the lights, only the side marker lamps, parking lamps and driver side tail light come on. Headlights don't come on, dash lights don't come on and passenger side tail light doesn't come on. But when I press the brights the driver side headlight comes on. I don't get it, all the fuses are good?

& also the wipers don't come on. I wonder if it's all connected to the same problem? Im not very good when it comes to wiring so I may sound dumb.

How dare you post this here when we have a sister site for Novas!!



The first step is to see if there is voltage at the headlights--green is HI filament, tan is LO filament. If yes, bulbs/grounds... if no, start working backwards.

Often times the dimmer switch is bad. But since your wipers aren't working I'm wondering if the bulkhead connector that links the interior to the engine harness is full of corrosion.

As for additional lights troubleshooting, please see the "sticky" at the top area of the electrical section I wrote about how the headlamp switch works.

 

[7o Chevelle]

Update. I got the headlights to work. I got a new switch and dimmer switch. But now im having the most trouble with the tail lights and blinkers. I changed the flasher fuse and the whole assembly in the column but still nothing. The right blinker light just stays on it doesn't blink then the left one will blink but very slowly??

 

[Coppertop]

Update. I got the headlights to work. I got a new switch and dimmer switch. But now im having the most trouble with the tail lights and blinkers. I changed the flasher fuse and the whole assembly in the column but still nothing. The right blinker light just stays on it doesn't blink then the left one will blink but very slowly??

Tail lights and blinkers are on different circuits. Not sure without more info on what exactly is going on.

As far as blinkers not blinking, did you replace the turn signal flasher can?? PS it's not the one in the fuse block. Look for purple and pink wires going to it, probably loose and flopping around at this point.

 

[7o Chevelle]

Tail lights and blinkers are on different circuits. Not sure without more info on what exactly is going on.

As far as blinkers not blinking, did you replace the turn signal flasher can?? PS it's not the one in the fuse block. Look for purple and pink wires going to it, probably loose and flopping around at this point.

Yes I replaced that. I got the blinkers to work but the front passenger blinker doesn't blink and neither the passenger side rear blinker or front blinker blink when the lights are on I've replaced all bulbs and I replaced the rear sockets and cleaned the grounds. I'm so confused???

 

[Coppertop]

Yes I replaced that. I got the blinkers to work but the front passenger blinker doesn't blink and neither the passenger side rear blinker or front blinker blink when the lights are on I've replaced all bulbs and I replaced the rear sockets and cleaned the grounds. I'm so confused???

Whoa, slow down Anthony

No need to keep spending $ on anything and everything.


Assuming you have the correct bulbs in place....Still sounds like a grounding issues. What you should do is turn on your lights with the car runnning. Activate the passenger side blinkers. Take a long piece of wire from the battery (-) terminal and run it to front and back bulb socket's base. Wedge the piece of wire between the bulb's base and the socket. This is to provide an uninterrrupted ground path.

See if that changes the conditions of things. Start there.

 

[7o Chevelle]

Whoa, slow down Anthony

No need to keep spending $ on anything and everything.


Assuming you have the correct bulbs in place....Still sounds like a grounding issues. What you should do is turn on your lights with the car runnning. Activate the passenger side blinkers. Take a long piece of wire from the battery (-) terminal and run it to front and back bulb socket's base. Wedge the piece of wire between the bulb's base and the socket. This is to provide an uninterrrupted ground path.

See if that changes the conditions of things. Start there.

Thats a good tip lol im tired of spending money but atleast i can mark those off the list of things that are wrong. but i noticed yesterday that the ground wire to the battery was burnt up and not in good condition but the car starts fine if that even matters. but im going to go get a 2 new cables (yes, spending more money lol) but im going to run one from the battery to the alternator bracket and the other from the battery to the frame and see what that does.

 

[66sc]

If the dimmer switch isn't used for a while it can make the headlights not work. Jump up and down on it for a while and see if they start working.

The connector and connections at the dimmer switch can also be a problem. Pull back the carpet and have a look.

For other lights, remember tail/parking lights are one filament and brake, turn signal and 4 way flashers another.

If working on electrical stuff you need a DVM. Otherwise you're blind.

 

[7o Chevelle]

If the dimmer switch isn't used for a while it can make the headlights not work. Jump up and down on it for a while and see if they start working.

The connector and connections at the dimmer switch can also be a problem. Pull back the carpet and have a look.

For other lights, remember tail/parking lights are one filament and brake, turn signal and 4 way flashers another.

If working on electrical stuff you need a DVM. Otherwise you're blind.

Headlights work, and both flashers in the back work now with the lights on and off. But now neither flashers come on in the front? It's like one day something works then the next it doesn't? & as far as the brake lights there still not working even though last weekend they did?

 

[7o Chevelle]

Still don't have any idea why brake lights aren't working? I replaced the brake switch and still nothing?

 

[Dean]

Replacing things that have nothing wrong with them is no help.
Got a volt meter or test light?

 

[7o Chevelle]

We'll I only replaced everything I have because now I know for sure it's not something that's broken or old and worn out. And yes were getting power to the rear tail light sockets but the brake lights don't come On but I know the actual brake lights work because if you cross the wires at the rear connectors they get very bright

 

[blm]

A multimeter comes in very handy when troubleshooting electrical problems.

Replacing things that have nothing wrong with them is no help.
Got a volt meter or test light?

If you don't know how to use one there is no time like the present to learn. You will thank yourself.

 

[7o Chevelle]

If you don't know how to use one there is no time like the present to learn. You will thank yourself.

Well my dad is the one who used it and he's an airplane mechanic and car mechanic but I know how to use it also. My dad thinks it's a ground somewhere but we went through all of them. Does not having the rear side markets not hooked up have anything to do with it? Because when the piece that the bulk connects to isn't getting a good ground in the socket the blinkers on the dash won't blink.

 

[blm]

Anthony:You can use your multimeter to diagnose your problem/problems. If your meter tells you that you have DC power to a component/light/etc and it doesn't work then you don't have a ground. Many odd or unexplained electrical issues are related to poor or non existent grounds. If you have a meter and use it properly electrical issues become easy.

 

[Dean]

In very simple terms;
<whatever> not working have power going to it, yes or no?
Have a good ground, yes or no?
If no, that is why it's not working so there is no need to replace it.

 

[7o Chevelle]

In very simple terms;
<whatever> not working have power going to it, yes or no?
Have a good ground, yes or no?
If no, that is why it's not working so there is no need to replace it.

Ok but if im getting power for the lights when the lights are on and blinkers in the back why aren't I getting brake lights?