At night my headlights do not come on automatically or work by the light switch

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

If there is power at the light sockets, then either you have a bad ground or the light sockets are bad. How did you check ground? Did you check the headlamp ground relay?

I attached a pic below showing ground and the relay. Check both. There is a splice in the ground wire, so confirm there is continuity at the sockets.

Here are a few links you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Let me know what you find.

Joe.

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Saturday, March 13th, 2021 AT 12:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SONOMACOBWEB
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 CHEVROLET S-10
  • 4.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
My headlights don't work with the switch in day time. They do work automatic. And if I pull it in my garage the headlights will work with switch but nothing else. Not parking lights no dash no rears. Only headlights. But they all work automatic when it gets dark ! Help please it's so annoying
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Saturday, March 13th, 2021 AT 12:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
You have an illumination fuse, should be interior fuse box. Turn on headlamp switch, check fuse, also check fuse circuit for voltage, use a test lite.

The diagram is for instrument illumination.
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Saturday, March 13th, 2021 AT 12:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SONOMACOBWEB
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I dnt have a test light. And where would I check it?
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Saturday, March 13th, 2021 AT 12:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Check for voltage at the fuse in the diagram, go from there.

A test light is a basic automotive diagnostic tool, doesn't cost much. If your going to work on your own vehicle, you need some of the basic tools.

I can only recommend what to check, you have to do the testing.
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Saturday, March 13th, 2021 AT 12:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KAWASAKI_DUDE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 CHEVROLET S-10
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 135,000 MILES
My head lights stopped working. The lights used to work but they would cut out and I would hear a clicking noise coming from the glove box area. I checked out the contents of the glove box area and found a relay access panel. I replaced the relay but my lights have not turned back on. My regular running/parking lights still work but they are not bright. Does any one have any ideas?
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Saturday, March 13th, 2021 AT 12:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Could be a bad switch or relay.

Read the guides below on testing electrical they will help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

The wiring diagrams for your headlights are attached below
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Saturday, March 13th, 2021 AT 12:41 PM (Merged)

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