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.

Change the light bulbs

Change the light bulbs.

Instrument gauge fuse ?

Check the fuses.. Then the lights..

Probably a fuse :2 cents:

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.

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.

make/model/year?

Perhaps the headlight relay.

check the headlight fluid levels.

right next to the flux capacitor :1orglaugh

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! :mad: wtf it's beer thirty.

:1orglaugh

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"
http://mattblue.net/images/sbjs-mazda-2.jpg

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

:thumbsup

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.

:1orglaugh:1orglaugh

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




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. :thumbsup

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.
http://mattblue.net/images/sbjs-mazda-1.jpg

you're good at finding the positive! :winkwink:


:thumbsup i hear ya

I see no truck in this photo. :winkwink:

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. :2 cents:

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