Topic: Headlight Question...

[LTD]

Okay guys...maybe someone can help me out here. 

I was going over a few things on the car today and the only thing that I found that does not work is the headlights.  What could this problem be?  If you turn the lights on, everything else lights up such as the rear lights and parking lights.  The headlights on the car are brand new but nothing functions.  Any ideas???

[rkellerjr]

fuse?  check the headlight plugs for corrosion?

[ta78w72]

You've got to get the wiring diagram and get your volt meter out.  You could have a bad switch.  But you can't say for sure unless you start measuring voltage.

[LTD]

Thanks guys!

Where is the fuse box located on these cars? 

[ta78w72]

It's on the firewall on the drivers side.  If you have a hush panel installed, you'll have to remove it to see the fuse panel.

[LTD]

Okay, thanks!  I'll start out with the easy method and if I don't find anything...I'll take larger measures.

[RENOVATIONS]

Do you get anything with the brights on??

[LTD]

Do you get anything with the brights on??

No.  I get nothing at all with the brights on.  I looked through the fuse box yesterday afternoon but didn't pull anything out.  I didn't see one labeled as headlights.  Which fuse are they on?

[jjr]

only thing I found that does not work is the headlights.  What could this problem be?

 Fuse, switch, fuseable link, bad or missing grounds.

 I agree with ta78w72, you have to find where the voltage stops to know what the culprit is. Otherwise
you replace good parts and get very frustrated.

 There's a breakdown of what fuse handles what in both the Owners manual, or the Pontiac Service Manual.

 Absent those, check them all...

 Joe R 

[ta78w72]

I don't believe there is a fuse for headlights in the fuse box.  They depend on fuseable links.  At least that's my thinking.  The brown wires are the hot ones.   You might have a bad bulkhead connector.  The only way to isolate the problem is with your volt meter.  Do you have a service manual?
The red wire is power to the switch.  You should have 12 volt there.  Then, with the headlights on, you should have 12 volts at the brown wire.  If you don't get 12 volts at the brown wire with the switch on, then you've got a bad switch.  You can pull the switch out and test it.  With the knob facing away from you, connect one lead of your Ohm meter to the to left terminal, the other lead goes to the brown terminal labelled "9".  Pull the switch to on and you should get a closed circuit.  If you don't, the switch is bad.

[Rick]

Do you have a service manual?

If you don't, Hitman sells them on CDROM.  Well worth the investment -- otherwise, it's like feeling around in the dark in a room full of sewing needles...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190183331873&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RSCC_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=190151466166&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=StoreCatToStoreCat&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget

[RENOVATIONS]

Or here  http://www.78ta.com/sale/cdsale.htm (little better price than the eBay auction)

Rick is right though...they are invaluable