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No headlights

MOP wAteR

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I have a 1973 Cuda and I have no power to my headlights. I have running lights, tail lights, front and rear turn signals, reverse lights, and side markers...but no dash lights or headlights. I put in new headlight switch, dash dimmer switch, and new floor dimmer switch but still nothing. Can anyone relate? Any help is appreciated.
 

Challenger RTA

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Move on to a headlight relay upgrade. Start getting the parts. The dash light get the ground from the mounting screws. Dash lights a Brighter possibility Check fuse in fuse box.

Headlight relay upgrade.jpg
 

Challenger RTA

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Headlight sw in top right of diagram. See if you have power there. L1-16BK is the feed from splice one. If you don't have it there there's a problem before Splice 1. Then check L7-18BK Don't forget about grounds.
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MOP wAteR

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Well, the weirdest thing. I took the dash light cluster off to get to the light switch to check for power and before I took the switch panel out I turned the light switch on and the headlights came on.....now I'm very confused.🤪
 

Ricks72Chlgr440

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Well, the weirdest thing. I took the dash light cluster off to get to the light switch to check for power and before I took the switch panel out I turned the light switch on and the headlights came on.....now I'm very confused.🤪
Bad connection. Loose or corroded connections. Maybe you could gently wiggle the wires to see where the bad connection may originate.
 

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Like I said move on to a headlight relay upgrade. The only thing about it, it should be connected to the alternator stud not the battery. A fusible link wouldn't hurt. The diodes should blow before any damage but why take a chance. Besides it might protect the alternator.

As Rickschlger440 said.
Bad connection. Loose or corroded connections.
 

Ricks72Chlgr440

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Like I said move on to a headlight relay upgrade. The only thing about it, it should be connected to the alternator stud not the battery. A fusible link wouldn't hurt. The diodes should blow before any damage but why take a chance. Besides it might protect the alternator.

As Rickschlger440 said.
When I got my 72 Challenger I would drive at night and after about 5 minutes of the headlights being on high beam the lights would go out. Something obviously was getting hot and opening. Low beams never had a problem. I had crackback build me a relay setup that took the load off of the headlight switch. Problem solved. The relay setup also removes the heavy headlight load from the older wiring in our cars, especially if halogen bulbs are used.
 

Chryco Psycho

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I agree the relay upgrade is a must do , But you still need to source power from the headlight switch out to trip the relays start tracing power out from the headlight switch
 

MoparCarGuy

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The Cuda* single-headlight version of the relay upgrade.

*Side markers and front parking lamps are 1970 Cuda.

Headlight Relay Mod schematic_2 Headlights_Cuda.jpg
 
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