1981 Chevrolet Van Running Lights / Tail Lights

CHUCK765

MEMBER
1981 CHEVROLET VAN
5.7L
V8
RWD
AUTOMATIC
59,000 MILES

I have No Running Lights or Tail Lights when I turn on my headlight switch (which is now new). I do have turn signals, emg. Flashers, and brake lights. When I tested the wires the yellow and dark green turn signal wires worked but also work for the brake lights. And my brown, white, black, dark blue wires all have no voltage when lights are turned on/ off, brakes engaged, turn signals or flashers used. I was blowing the tail light fuse but found an orange wire under the dash that I cut and it now does not blow. I haven't found out what that wire goes to. Somebody prior to me owning this has messed with the wiring and dash. Please help, give me some advise, etc. I am on SS and really need this vehicle to work. I can not afford to take it to a shop. I'm trying to live off of 1250 per month and with 3 doctors and all my meds I have very little to live on. Thank you for offering this site.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,871 POSTS

My diagram for this circuit is extremely poor. It doesn't show which wires are which for the head light switch, but there is an orange wire that appears to be a 12 volt feed wire. It is common to the horn circuit, so check if the horn is working. Next, pull the head light switch out and check for 12 volts on the orange wire. If it is missing, repair the wire you cut or reconnect it temporarily with a small jumper wire. Now check for 12 volts again at the switch.

If the fuse blows, I need to know if that happens right away or only after you turn on the tail lights. Remove the fuse, then use a pair of small jumper wires to connect the terminals to a 12 volt light bulb. A brake light bulb works well. When the circuit is live and the short is present, the bulb will be full brightness and hot so be sure it's not laying on the carpet or against a plastic door panel. Now you can unplug electrical connectors and move things around to see what makes the short go away. When it does, the bulb will get dim or go out.

See if the bulb is bright right away or only after the head light switch is turned on.