I have a '63 model. Found that the front running/parking lights wont work. This is a new vehicle to me,so dont know prior history. After much investigation I have found that the wire going out to front is grounded. This is not as it should be, correct??? I have traced the wire back to the firewall and disconnected the harness there and checked and it is on the interior side that is grounded. Traced wire back to headlight switch and thats where I stopped. Also as a side note, I have been using the wire diagram for wire id. Not enough room for me to undo wire from switch. Is it possible that the switch itself has an internal failure? If so, how do I remove the damn thing!!!! I searched on here and found others talking about the little button that you have to depress to remove the shaft. I dont think the indentation on my finger will go away for some time from pushing on that thing. Thanks,Jerry
Have you tried just turning on the tail lamps and see if the work, on the earlier cars the park lamps were not lit when the headlamps were on.
The tails do work when headlights are on. According to the wiring diagram, the front lights are a two way system. First turn signal, second parking light. Also, the confusing thing is that the parking light wire is showing that it is grounded when using a multimeter. I have disconnected the plugs to each light and tested the rest of the curcuit. It seems to be coming from the switch.......
Also, the confusing thing is that the parking light wire is showing that it is grounded when using a multimeter. >mcklinjw +++++++++++++ Not clear what you are doing there ... with the bulb out of the socket, the outer shell should be grounded, the other (two?) contact(s) should read open if the switch is off. But the hot wire would show close to ground reading if the bulb is still in the socket -- filament doesn't have much resistance.
OK, I was second guessing myself so I just went and rechecked it.With bulbs out and switch off, I get continuity through contact at the bulb. With switch on I get none. Just so you know,I am just using a multimeter with a tone source to check these things.
again did you check the park lamps with the switch in the tail lamp position. the tail lamps will stay on with the headlamps but the front parking lamps may not.
I kinda feel stupid now. I guess you learn something new everyday. 5.0 Chero, thank you! I never had a problem to begin with. LOL. I guess thats why they call them "Parking lamps" right!!!! Why would they have them turn off with headlights on?
Battery's weren't what they are now they felt that you did not need them with the headlamps on so to need to waste the juice
