Headlight issue, meed help

[John Wurner]

63 Cabrio, headlights (both) do not work on low beam, all other lights work. All lights work on high beam.
Its not the fuses.
Any help appreciated.
Thanks, John

[Gary Carriveau]

I had a similar problem (although this may not be the same as your problem).
No low beams but both low beam fuses looked good to the eye.
When I checked continuity with an ohm-meter they were both open circuit. I replaced them with new fuses and as I removed the old fuses the fusible link broke into two pieces in my hand.
I don't know how long the old fuses were in use but new fuses easily solved the problem.
Good luck in solving your problem.

Gary
'64 C Coupe

[David Jones]

John there is a chance your light relay has gone bad. When you switch from high to low beam listen for the relay clicking over. You could also examine the relay connections, when they get to be 54 years old they are susceptible to age related failure of the soldered connections. Turn the parking lights on and try using the flasher. The low beams should flash.

[John Wurner]

Hi Dave
Will try that. I am not getting any juice to the top of the fuses with the low beams on, so the relay is the possibility.
John

[David Jones]

John, on reviewing the wiring diagram I see that the light relay is normally closed which means in the non powered state the low beams should be on. If you find you have power to the high beam output post and nothing on the low beam then it is likely the contacts inside the relay are toast but bridge the two connections and see if the low beams come on. If so then you just found you need a new light relay.
Yellow wire on the light relay is term 56b and is low beam.

[Mike Wilson]

When you "flash", aren't the high beams activated rather than the low beams?

[David Jones]

Mike see attached PDF page 38 of the "C" drivers manual. Who would have thought the turn/flasher stalk would have so many functions in 64.
If this does not load I will send it to your PM unless you have a "C" drivers manual.

[John Wurner]

Thanks guys for the help.
I sprayed some contact cleaner in to the area around where the high/low lever enters the steering column, used some compressed air in the same area, cleaned some wire ends and all the lights work fine now.
Its a minor miracle.
John

[Jeffrey Leeds]

We all likely have some kind of contact cleaner on our garage shelf, but a couple of years ago I was introduced to a product n/o DeoxIT ( http://store.caig.com/ ) which has become my go to for situations like this because really works. I use the D series for every electrical connection now, and generally follow it up with the Shield S series as a protectant. Worth considering the next time you need to re-supply.

No affiliation, just a very satisfied customer.

Jeff

[Mike Wilson]

Thanks, David. I was able to see it. Wow! So many options! I'll check my B manual. My guess is it lists the same options.

Mike

[Ron LaDow]

John,
It's not common, but it's not unknown to burn out two bulb at nearly the same time.

[Mike Wilson]

I looked at the Caig site. Another wow! I can envision using it on all the electrical connections but especially the light sockets, switches and relays.

[Mike Wilson]

I just ordered the DeoxIT but be aware there is a minimum amount for an order. I added the flex tip attachment to meet their minimum.

Mike

[Jeffrey Leeds]

I think you can also find it on Amazon, Mike. Might be a more competitive price there.

Jeff

[Hugo Karasawa]

Radio Shack sells Deoxit.