GFY mechanics: i changed an alternator out, now the headlights don't work. - GoFuckYourself.com

dyna mo · 07-26-2015, 04:42 PM

so i disconnected the neg terminal on the battery and moved the cable but i guess the tension on the cable snapped it back to position where it was still touching the battery post when i was wrenching on the connection on the alternator side of that cable.

well as i was ratcheting off the connector, the back of my ratchet touched the valve cover and kablam huge spark and the ratchet instantly heated up and i couldn't touch it. any way, i quickly moved the cable out of the way again, installed the new alternator, now the headlights don't work. so i fried something. it burned a notch into my ratchet!

so far it appears that all other electrical works, parking lights, turn signals, brake lights, reverse lights, horn, radio, windows. so i'm figuring it's the headlight switch on the dash, it's my understanding there is no fuse in line for headlights but there is a headlight relay????? maybe it's the relay???

input needed.

plaster · 07-26-2015, 04:47 PM

Change the light bulbs

clickity click · 07-26-2015, 04:53 PM

Change the light bulbs.

acer19 · 07-26-2015, 04:54 PM

Instrument gauge fuse ?

crockett · 07-26-2015, 04:57 PM

Check the fuses.. Then the lights..

ErectMedia · 07-26-2015, 05:00 PM

Probably a fuse

dyna mo · 07-26-2015, 05:02 PM

the lights are not getting any power, checked with the multimeter at the sockets. i checked the instrument gauge fuse also, was thinking the same, it's fine. the dash lights also work.

as best i've looked and researched, there is no headlight fuse.

dyna mo · 07-26-2015, 05:06 PM

i can't get the multimeter leads on the proper spots on the headlight switch harness without taking the whole damn thing out of the dash. so i haven't checked it yet.

ErectMedia · 07-26-2015, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyna mo

as best i've looked and researched, there is no headlight fuse.

make/model/year?

crockett · 07-26-2015, 05:07 PM

Perhaps the headlight relay.

SBJ · 07-26-2015, 05:11 PM

check the headlight fluid levels.

ErectMedia · 07-26-2015, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBJ

check the headlight fluid levels.

right next to the flux capacitor

dyna mo · 07-26-2015, 05:24 PM

so it looks like i fried the headlight on-off high beam low beam switch in the dash, i was able to unplug the wiring harness then i hot-wired the headlights bypassing the switch and they came on.

but now the dang auto parts is closed!

wtf it's beer thirty.

dyna mo · 07-26-2015, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBJ

check the headlight fluid levels.

i keep my headlights top-offed!

SBJ · 07-26-2015, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyna mo

i keep my headlights top-offed!

good for you! So many people don't pay attention to those fluids.

Glad you were at least able to figure out it was the switch.

In the early 90's I use to work on my own cars and did a lot of custom things. This is my 87' Mazda Extended cab. I had the tailgate and taillights shaved. The taillights were converted to LEDs and to get turn signals to work short term I wired up toggle switches on the hazards for left and right. So to use the turn signals I'd turn on the hazards and turn off one side via a toggle switch lol.. I later had it rewired by a pro and he laughed at my "fix"

ErectMedia · 07-26-2015, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyna mo

so it looks like i fried the headlight on-off high beam low beam switch in the dash, i was able to unplug the wiring harness then i hot-wired the headlights bypassing the switch and they came on.

but now the dang auto parts is closed!

wtf it's beer thirty.

Probably a sign to just junk it and buy a new car.

dyna mo · 07-26-2015, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBJ

good for you! So many people don't pay attention to those fluids.

Glad you were at least able to figure out it was the switch.

In the early 90's I use to work on my own cars and did a lot of custom things. This is my 87' Mazda Extended cab. I had the tailgate and taillights shaved. The taillights were converted to LEDs and to get turn signals to work short term I wired up toggle switches on the hazards for left and right. So to use the turn signals I'd turn on the hazards and turn off one side via a toggle switch lol.. I later had it rewired by a pro and he laughed at my "fix"

that looks nice! i'm a mazda fan too, had a b2000 way back when, a cosmo (their first rotary) and a couple rx-7s.

dyna mo · 07-26-2015, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErectMedia

Probably a sign to just junk it and buy a new car.

i should have done an angle on that for this thread eh.

thanks for the input, gfyers.

ErectMedia · 07-26-2015, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyna mo

thanks for the input, gfyers.

next round just take a piece of duct tape and wrap it over the loose battery terminal or at least set your phone to record and upload the fireworks to youtube.

SBJ · 07-26-2015, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyna mo

that looks nice! i'm a mazda fan too, had a b2000 way back when, a cosmo (their first rotary) and a couple rx-7s.

Thanks! I've had 5 different mazda trucks back in the 90's. This was my fav. Wish I would've done these trucks when I started porn and had the money to really do things. I was a broke factory worker back when I did this.

dyna mo · 07-26-2015, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErectMedia

next round just take a piece of duct tape and wrap it over the loose battery terminal or at least set your phone to record and upload the fireworks to youtube.

you're good at finding the positive!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBJ

Thanks! I've had 5 different mazda trucks back in the 90's. This was my fav. Wish I would've done these trucks when I started porn and had the money to really do things. I was a broke factory worker back when I did this.

i hear ya

ErectMedia · 07-26-2015, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBJ

Thanks! I've had 5 different mazda trucks back in the 90's. This was my fav. Wish I would've done these trucks when I started porn and had the money to really do things. I was a broke factory worker back when I did this.

I see no truck in this photo.

Makes ya appreciate shit more/take care of shit more when money isn't falling outta your pockets. I restored a 78 and 79 Cutlass back in my younger days when money wasn't as easy. Still managed just took a little longer.

SBJ · 07-26-2015, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErectMedia

I see no truck in this photo.

Makes ya appreciate shit more/take care of shit more when money isn't falling outta your pockets. I restored a 78 and 79 Cutlass back in my younger days when money wasn't as easy. Still managed just took a little longer.

I totally hear you and agree with you. I worked many 50-60+ hour weeks to get extra money for my toys.

07-26-2015, 04:42 PM	#1
dyna mo The People's Post Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: invisible 7-11 Posts: 63,941	GFY mechanics: i changed an alternator out, now the headlights don't work. so i disconnected the neg terminal on the battery and moved the cable but i guess the tension on the cable snapped it back to position where it was still touching the battery post when i was wrenching on the connection on the alternator side of that cable. well as i was ratcheting off the connector, the back of my ratchet touched the valve cover and kablam huge spark and the ratchet instantly heated up and i couldn't touch it. any way, i quickly moved the cable out of the way again, installed the new alternator, now the headlights don't work. so i fried something. it burned a notch into my ratchet! so far it appears that all other electrical works, parking lights, turn signals, brake lights, reverse lights, horn, radio, windows. so i'm figuring it's the headlight switch on the dash, it's my understanding there is no fuse in line for headlights but there is a headlight relay????? maybe it's the relay??? input needed.

07-26-2015, 05:00 PM	#6
ErectMedia Confirmed Chicago Pimp Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 7,100	Probably a fuse __________________ Domain Name Registration Web3 Domains

07-26-2015, 05:11 PM	#11
SBJ So Fucking Fabulous Industry Role: Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 11,374	check the headlight fluid levels. __________________ Chaturbate - Make tons of money from Cams! *Name Silo - Domains under $9 and free ID protect*

07-26-2015, 04:47 PM	#2
plaster So Fucking Banned Industry Role: Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 2,295	Change the light bulbs

07-26-2015, 04:53 PM	#3
clickity click So Fecking Bummed Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 3,682	Change the light bulbs.

07-26-2015, 04:54 PM	#4
acer19 Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 323	Instrument gauge fuse ?

07-26-2015, 04:57 PM	#5
crockett in a van by the river Industry Role: Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 76,806	Check the fuses.. Then the lights..

07-26-2015, 05:02 PM	#7
dyna mo The People's Post Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: invisible 7-11 Posts: 63,941	the lights are not getting any power, checked with the multimeter at the sockets. i checked the instrument gauge fuse also, was thinking the same, it's fine. the dash lights also work. as best i've looked and researched, there is no headlight fuse.

07-26-2015, 05:06 PM	#8
dyna mo The People's Post Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: invisible 7-11 Posts: 63,941	i can't get the multimeter leads on the proper spots on the headlight switch harness without taking the whole damn thing out of the dash. so i haven't checked it yet.

07-26-2015, 05:07 PM	#10
crockett in a van by the river Industry Role: Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 76,806	Perhaps the headlight relay.

07-26-2015, 05:24 PM	#13
dyna mo The People's Post Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: invisible 7-11 Posts: 63,941	so it looks like i fried the headlight on-off high beam low beam switch in the dash, i was able to unplug the wiring harness then i hot-wired the headlights bypassing the switch and they came on. but now the dang auto parts is closed! wtf it's beer thirty.