head lights out !!

[wlkelley3]

Wow! Good thing I found this. My headlights don't work either but all the other lights do. I thought it was the microswitch that allowed power to the headlights when they are open but not when they are closed thus allowing the other lights to be on when the rocker switch is on. Learned a lot and might have saved me a lot of unnecessary work. Thought it was the microswitch because when I first got the car years ago the headlights worked. But then started having issues with them going out and coming back on after rolling the lights open/closed. Now where can I get these relays at? Local autoparts store or from Gil?

[Dale .D]

Originally Posted by wlkelley3 Wow! Good thing I found this. My headlights don't work either but all the other lights do. I thought it was the microswitch that allowed power to the headlights when they are open but not when they are closed thus allowing the other lights to be on when the rocker switch is on. Learned a lot and might have saved me a lot of unnecessary work. Thought it was the microswitch because when I first got the car years ago the headlights worked. But then started having issues with them going out and coming back on after rolling the lights open/closed. Now where can I get these relays at? Local autoparts store or from Gil?

My pain is your pain too . Glad this helped. This site has some very knowledgeable people that really contribute to all us Opelers. Cheers & thanks. I'm ordering both the low beam relay & main relay from OGTS tomorrow. I doubt that the same relays are easily attainable but I've been wrong before.

[wlkelley3]

OK, one more question. I can't find the relays in OGTS catalog. Does anyone have the part number/order number? Or do I just call Gil and ask him if he can send me the relays.

[Dale .D]

Originally Posted by wlkelley3 OK, one more question. I can't find the relays in OGTS catalog. Does anyone have the part number/order number? Or do I just call Gil and ask him if he can send me the relays.

Just talked to Gil.He has the 7 prong relays new but the low beams are used rebuilt & tested

[wlkelley3]

I finally found the headlight relay and got it ordered from Gil. Didn't find the low beam but if the only have used that's why. I plan on replacing the main relay and checking the low beam and order it if I have to. Thanks again.

[wlkelley3]

Well, got the relay installed. It Works!!! Fixed the headlights. They come on. Now another question. It's been a lo-o-ong time since the car has been on the road and the headlights worked and I don't remember exactly how they work. Are they supposed to come on as soon as they roll over, even with the light switch off? Mine are on when they are up no matter what the light switch position and the key is on. They aren't on when the key is off so no worries there. Don't remember if that's what they are supposed to do. Just makes no sense headlights up and on with other lights off. Also the brake lights only work if the key is on.

[SpringGT]

If your ignition is on, the minute that you roll the headlights up and they lock in place, all of the lights that you need will come on (i.e., headlights, taillights, side marker lights, license plate light, instrument lights, etc,). If you turn the ignition off with the headlights up, all lights should go off.

The light switch on the dash turns on parking lights, tail lights, license light and rear side marker lights when the headlights are hidden. The dash switch has no control over the headlights, as it is a parking light switch. At least on the '73 models.
HTH
Bob

[wlkelley3]

Good, that's what they do. Just didn't seem right to me.

[grslightng02]

Basically as stated by others, you have two options. Rewire your headlights to a fuse and toggle switch so you can manually turn them on an off at your control.... or repair AND restore the original system to function as it did when new.

A few things to consider:

1)The headlight wiring in these cars was not the best quality and should be replaced no matter what! The insulation breaks down and nearly falls apart leaving bare wiring exposed with poor contacts and poor grounding. Poor grounding can also cause poor headlight performance.

2)These headlights had (If I recall correctly) two microswitches on the driver side and one on the passenger side and NO FUSE!!! If something goes wrong and sparks... there's no safety measure.

Whether you decide to troubleshoot your system or just take it apart and restore it... you're putting time, labor, and money into it.

Make your decision on whether you want a manual on/off toggle switch, or restore the original system that turns them on & off as the headlights roll into place. Either decision you will have to replace and rewire... but don't simply troubleshoot to put a bandaid on a bleeding wound.

BTW... Thank you to Anonymous D for supplying the link to the diagrams and pics!

[wlkelley3]

I had headlight issues before the restoration. During the restoration I did all of that. I rewired and fused the headlights along with replacing or repairing most of the wiring in the car. That was actually what I started doing to the car that lead to the car being torn down and a complete restoration performed. The more I tore apart the more I found wrong or in need of repair.