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Headlight question

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JPSmit

JPSmit

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the other night I finished up with the relays for my headlights. Got everything hooked up and turned on the lights. Everything works great except that, along with the headlight, one signal light comes on. (driver's side)

I don't know

a) if it is even supposed to

b) if is it supposed to, why the other won't.

I have checked the filaments on the other and they are fine - four ways work and signals work.

I've looked at the wiring diagram and they seem to be separate circuits (signals and headlights) and as far as I know only share a common ground. However, even there, both side are grounded through the same circuit - so, they should both be the same.

Any thoughts wise sages?
 
Not sure about a 76, and don't have a wiring diagram for same,.. BUT, the running lights on both sides generally come on when the headlights are on. Aren't they dual filament bulbs, one for the running light and one for the turn signal? position ONE of the headlight switch should turn on the running lights only, and postion TWO, all lit.......that's they way it is on earlier cars anyway.. (at least on mine....) The turn signals use the second filament.
 
Yeah, like Bill I would almost guess that light you're seeing is a parking light.
With headlights <span style="text-decoration: underline">on</span>, it should go on too.
The problem sounds like the *other* side is not on.
 
I'm pretty sure you are correct - they are dual filament - and actually are beehive (bugeye) lights.

forgot about the step one switch position - I'll check tomorrow
 
If the parking light isn't supposed to come on then I will bet that the ground on that side is bad and the headlight is grounding through the parking light (is this headlight dimmer than the other headlight?).
Bill
 
Front bee hive parking lights only have one filament in the bulb, rear have two.

Parking lights are not supose to be on when the headlights are.
 
Edit time Jack.
 
jlaird said:
Front bee hive parking lights only have one filament in the bulb, rear have two.

Parking lights are not supose to be on when the headlights are.
Click to expand...

there are three wires going to the socket - ground plus two others - ergo dual filament correct?
 
just checked and step one (running lights) only one comes one - still confused as they all work in every other respect but might have a minute to ceck tonite.
 
One MUST have a dual filament bulb on the front of a Bugeye (bee-hive type)! Parking lights and turn-signals are separate circuits in the same housing!
 
:winner1: Mike!

I started this with a flawed assumption namely that one wire was flasher and the other was signal and the third was ground. It wasn't till I started isolating (with a test light) that I realized that one wire is parking and the other was all flashing things. The instant I figured that out, the light bulb went on, or more to the point went off :wall: - burned out filament. New bulb and all is fine. :banana:

Of course the prince of darkness wasn't going to let me off so easily. then I noticed that the flashers barely worked. Was just ready to start major surgery when for once I thought of trying something simple. swapped out the flasher with the signal flasher and BINGO - defective unit (again) So, one more thing off the list.

Thanks all - spring is coming! :cheers:
 
Yea, I screwed up front lights have two filaments also. Rear has two but works three wires, brake, parking, and stop. Duh.
 
The bee-hives at the rear of a BE should be only one filament (though I think a dual filament bulb will work in a pinch!), since the parking lights and brake lights are in the tail-light housing, and only the turn-signals are in the bee-hive!
 
If you look in the VB Catalog there are two separate bases for the Beehive Lamps. One being two wire and one being three wire. On Bugsy my '68 with a BE Bonnet I acquired a set of two wire bases and therefore cannot use a two filament bulb and get parking lamps going. I will be ordering new 3 wire bases, interchangeable with 2 wire bases. Wiring already run just need a couple of bases, as I recall < $15 for the pair.
 
The two separate bases are, originally, for the front and rear of the BE, front needing the three wire and rear the two wire! You could the three wire one on the rear as well, and wire an extra set of parking/tail lights at the rear in the bee-hives I suppose.
 
Not my day I guess. Sneaks quietly away into the bushes.
 
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