Headlights don't work

[opelclanermelo]

i have a opel GT '71 european version

my drivinglights don't work when i turn over the headlights they dont come on

if removed the left front headlicht en controled the micro switches
the one for the indicator light when they are not closed is working now

but my lights ican't figure it out

i have downloaded the wirering diagram from the GT from this site en i se 2 switches next to the headlight witch one do i need for the light switch

i have yellow/white and brown on the micro switch is that ok?

can someone help me or show me witch icon on the wirering diagram i must have for the officiale micro switch for the headlicht

if i lay the mounting plate for the switches down like the foto in the workshop manual they the right one is for the not closed switch en the left for the lights is that correct ?

thanks anyway for the help

[GTJIM]

Make sure that the wires which go through the turning mechanisim into the rotating headlight buckets is all new and not deteriorated - that is one of the main problems with GT headlights ... and can cause fires!

There is no headligh switch as such - just the micro switches that control the headlight relays. There are two different micro-switch set-ups with the earlier GTs having one less micro-switch. So you need to know if there are two switches behind one light turning mechanisim and one behind the other turning mechanisim - or just two total. The wiring is different.

[opelclanermelo]

i dont know if there is another microswitch behind the right headlight
but for that system with two switches to work they both must be switcht on before the lights go on

[namba209]

Only one microswitch, in the left bucket turns on the headlight relay. The other one or two, if there is a switch in the right bucket is for an unlocked condition on either bucket. According to my DESTEC schematic, a Black wire goes to the microswitch from the fuse panel #6 and a Black/Yellow wire goes to the headlight relay to operate it when the lights are unlocked from the closed position. HTH.

[hrcollinsjr]

Let's keep it simple. I would check the headlight relay before I worried about the micro switch. The headlight relay behind the fuse panel has the 12 gauge yellow and black wire hooked to it. Apply 12v to the terminal where the y/b wire (terminal 85) is, the headlights and parking lights should all come on, if they don't you may have a relay problem. The relay can be removed and opened up for inspection. I've never had a micro switch go bad but have seen several relays quit functioning properly.

HTH,
Harold

[namba209]

That's a very good point Harold. In over 40 years working on aircraft, that have a bunch of microswitches, I've only seen a handful go bad. Usually the actuating arms need adjusting or there is gunk around the little button on the switch that stops them from working, but the internal contacts seem to be indestrucxtible.

[Gordy]

I learned YEARS ago (the hard way) the way to tell if it's the relay or the switch which is bad. If nothing happens when you turn the headlights on the micro switch is most likely the culprit. If the relay is bad but the micro switch is good, when you turn on the lights (flip them over) the tail lights and dash lights should still be operating. Cost me $300 at a Buick/ Opel dealer for them to "trouble shoot" the problem (mine was the relay bad) when their own FSM explained that clearly. The Better Business Bureau sided with me on that one!

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by Gordy If the relay is bad but the micro switch is good, when you turn on the lights (flip them over) the tail lights and dash lights should still be operating.

Probably correct most of the time! Since the headlight contacts are the ones that take most of the heat and are the ones that usually fail. I'm looking at the easiest thing to test first! Some of you might enjoy diving in head first, I prefer to go at it a little slower. Sometimes the turtle really does win.

Harold

[jvandyke]

I had a relay go out on mine last year, I believe I just lost headlights but I can't remember. I put in a standard RadioShack one and it worked although the headlights came on when the running lights switch was turned on even though they were still down. Is this helpful? Probably not. Just needed to post something......withdrawal is a terrible thing.

[opelclanermelo]

aha

thanks for the info guys

the micro switch isnt the problem if i mesure ohms over it it works perfect closed 1KOhm not closed and when i close the switch 0,001 Ohm

if i put the yellow wire at the relau on the 12V spot the lights come on
but you speak over the Black and yellow Black wire

i have on the headlicht microswitch yellow/white and brown
so thats not wright dos some one know where these wires are from?

its a car that i bougt from someone who wont finish the restauration so there are a few bugs in the car

i wil mesure on and keep you up with the progres

Thanks For Now Guys

[opelclanermelo]

Hi guys

after a few hours work i finally have it
the microswitch had a problem the lip where the switch was turn on and off with was broken

so problem solved

thanks for the help