Headlight problem

[540Z]

Hey Guys,

I'm having a bit of a problem with the headlights on my '72 Z. It seems that the driver's side headlight is very dim while the passenger side headlight is fine. If I unplug the pass side headlight from the harness, they both go out entirely, but if I unplug the driver side headlight, the pass side headlight is OK and remains on. I cleaned up the connectors to both lights and checked both fuses and they appear OK. Any ideas?

Thanks,

TR

[MikeW]

I recall having this problem 20+ years ago and I think the problem was a improper ground. What was happening is that one headlight was actually grounded through the other headlight which was effectively causing too much resistance hence the dim light. I wish I could remember better but it's been a long time.

[geezer]

It seems to be be bad ground connections. Some wiring maintainance is probably in order.

[Zak's Z]

My friend just picked up a '71 with me from the US and his seems to have the same problem, I was just searching for this. Good timing, we'll look at the grounds. anywhere particular that might be obvious for a bad ground?

[540Z]

While looking through a schematic in repair manual, it appears to me that the grounds for the headlight system are located near the headlight switch itself. Isn't that kind of odd? Just a thought.

TR

[justinr54321]

Don't mean to hijack the thread a little, however, if unable to find the ground, you can pick up the headlight wiring harness upgrade through Zs-Ondabrain (Dave). I picked one up, and the difference was nite and day, litterally. My switch does not overheat at all, and it takes the power directly from the battery to the headlights, allowing the full voltage of 12V to the headlights, rather than about 9V to 10V, which is lossed by the yards upon yards of wiring going through the car. Just my 2c. However, I'll look when I get home tonight where the stock grounding is.

Justin

[540Z]

Yup. I'm a dipstick... Red 'n' Yeller wire fell out of the back of the headlight harness connector when I gave her a little more than a cursory tug. A little solder & heatshrink and life is good again! Good thing I had a few connectors left over from a parts car.

I've got one of those dual relay headlight harnesses from VB or BV (that company in Kansas now known as Black Dragon), so I guess it's time to install it. Denial is not just a river in Egypt...

Thanks a lot for your help, guys!

TR

[Zak's Z]

I have the harness from Dave. It's still in the box! (my Z is still in pieces). I should suggest this part for my friend. He's a new member and will probably introduce himself once he gets the safety done for his Z.