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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Electrical Idiot Needs Help- Headlight Problem

Posted by: tornik550 Mar 17 2009, 06:31 PM

I am an absolute electrical idiot. I recently rebuilt my engine. I also rewired the car from the firewall back. I am having a problem that I cannot figure out. For some reason, my headlights will work if the ignition key is turned however it will not work if the engine is started. Other than replacing all the fuses, I did not think that I did anything that should affect the headlights. Please help!

Posted by: ArtechnikA Mar 17 2009, 08:28 PM

QUOTE(tornik550 @ Mar 17 2009, 08:31 PM)

...I did not think that I did anything that should affect the headlights. Please help!

my _guess_ is that you have a ground floating.

When the engine (alternator...) is off your headlights are finding a ground through some weird path. When the alternator is supplying charging current, it is energizing whatever component was allowing current to flow through it previously.

Are your headlights working really well, or is it just a vague glow?

Highbeams and low beams both affected the same ?

You may have to resort to tracing through the wiring diagram, but first, find and clean the headlight ground points really well (from the 'it couldn't hurt' file...)

Posted by: 904svo Mar 17 2009, 09:54 PM

Make sure you have the transmission ground strap installed!

Posted by: ejm Mar 18 2009, 04:28 AM

Could be an ignition switch problem. The headlights get power thru the "X" contact in the switch which has power in the on postion but not while cranking. After starting try turning the switch slightly to off and see if the lights work.