Headlights stopped working after bulb replacement?

H ANDERS

MEMBER
1993 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
5.7L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
224,000 MILES

The parking lights work, but headlights won’t come on.
Confirmed that the headlight bulbs are okay. Replaced the headlight switch in the dash but didn’t fix the problem. The dimmer switch in the dash seems to be working okay, but the instrument panel lights don’t seem to be lighting. Can’t seem to confirm that I am getting constant power to the light switch with a meter.
Cleaned and re-tightened the ground wires in the engine compartment next to the battery and the one on the opposite side front.
Is there a separate ground wire for the headlights?

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

The left side has a ground, and the right side has a different one. Both are sheet metal grounds.

Here is the thing. If you have parking lights, power is making it to the switch and out to the park lamps. At the same time, it should be going to the lamps. Did you check if there is power at the light sockets where the headlamps are connected? If there isn't, the problem is between the switch and the lamp.

I attached the wiring schematic for a vehicle without daytime driving lights. If that is incorrect, let me know.

Also, at the light switch, there should be a red wire that provides power. You can check it, but I suspect it is getting power for the park lamps to work.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

Images (Click to make bigger)