69 Dart Headlights Issue

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69Dart4DR

69Dart4DR

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Hello Mopar Wizards,

I am trying to trace down a headlight issue. My headlights will not turn on. The parking lights and blinkers work fine. I just installed a brand-new battery. I used a circuit tester, and the fuses all seem to be good. I checked the headlight female-plug, and it is reading 0 volts on a multi-meter. I printed out the wiring diagram and am trying to trace down the path. Any suggestions on where to start?

Cheers,
Tom
69 Dodge Dart
 
Tom, buzz over to mymopar.com and download the 69 dodge service manual. It's a free download and will have the factory wiring diagram, which will help you running this down. Also, the headlight circuit is not fused. That said, You can check for power at the dimmer switch. But that wiring diagram will be a big help.
 
RustyRatRod said:
Tom, buzz over to mymopar.com and download the 69 dodge service manual. It's a free download and will have the factory wiring diagram, which will help you running this down. Also, the headlight circuit is not fused. That said, You can check for power at the dimmer switch. But that wiring diagram will be a big help.
Click to expand...
Thank you for that link. Taking a look in the manual on how to check the voltage at the switch. Guessing it probably needs to be cleaned?
 
69Dart4DR said:
Thank you for that link. Taking a look in the manual on how to check the voltage at the switch. Guessing it probably needs to be cleaned?
Click to expand...
Possibly. It could be bad, as @HemiSSDart mentioned. It's a common failure. I always like diagnosis though, which is why I suggested the wiring diagram. That way, there's no guesswork and no wasted expenditure.
 
RustyRatRod said:
Possibly. It could be bad, as @HemiSSDart mentioned. It's a common failure. I always like diagnosis though, which is why I suggested the wiring diagram. That way, there's no guesswork and no wasted expenditure.
Click to expand...
from the manual "remove the knob by depressing the release button on the switch and pull the knob out. After removing the bezel with Tool C-3824, lower the switch and disconnect the multiple connector." (8-75)

Reading the manual, it sounds like I need to remove that round bezel to pull the switch out from the dash. I'm not sure what it means by "remove knob by depressing the release button...."

PXL_20250107_012224515.jpg
 
69Dart4DR said:
from the manual "remove the knob by depressing the release button on the switch and pull the knob out. After removing the bezel with Tool C-3824, lower the switch and disconnect the multiple connector." (8-75)

Reading the manual, it sounds like I need to remove that round bezel to pull the switch out from the dash. I'm not sure what it means by "remove knob by depressing the release button...."

View attachment 1716349241
Click to expand...
The release button is either on the top or side of the headlight switch. So you're going to have to reach under the dash and feel for it. It's a small, spring loaded button. But here's the trick. You have to pull the headlight switch out FIRST and then push the button and pull the knob out. Then, yes, you have to unscrew the bezel and then remove the switch.
 
RustyRatRod said:
The release button is either on the top or side of the headlight switch. So you're going to have to reach under the dash and feel for it. It's a small, spring loaded button. But here's the trick. You have to pull the headlight switch out FIRST and then push the button and pull the knob out. Then, yes, you have to unscrew the bezel and then remove the switch.
Click to expand...
Is there a method or tool everyone uses to remove that bezel without damaging it? Other than the one listed.

edit: spoke too soon, I think I get it
 
69Dart4DR said:
Is there a method or tool everyone uses to remove that bezel without damaging it? Other than the one listed.
Click to expand...
I just use a screwdriver and small hammer, if you take it easy it will loosen and you can screw the rest of it out by hand...
 
Here is how this works and the functional path

FIRST there IS NO fuse for the headlights. The power ONLY for the lights (not park/ tail, etc) comes off the black ammeter wire, the "welded splice"

There's a breaker right in/ on the light switch for that circuit.

With the switch "clear out" headlights power is fed TO the floor dimmer switch. Two of the terminals should be hot with the light switch on.

The dimmer is a simple SPDT (2 way, or double throw) switch. Power from the light switch feeds to the dimmer, and when you punch it, it switches the output from one terminal (hi) to the other (lo.)

THEN the lo and the hi beam power feeds through the bulkhead connector, ANOTHER trouble spot

When the hi and lo beam wires reach the headlights, both of them are grounded through ONE wire at a grounding point on the rad cross support. Check that.

In rare cases where EG the VR is over voltage, etc, all the lights can burn out

HOW TO CHECK

One easy place to start is the dimmer switch. Pull it out or probe the connector in place, and with the light switch, "on" you should have power at two of the three terminals. If only one is hot, likely a bad dimmer. Does the hi beam dash indicator light? Then it's likely either bulkhead connector, damaged harness in the engine bay, bad headlights, or that ground I mentioned.
 
67Dart273 said:
Here is how this works and the functional path

FIRST there IS NO fuse for the headlights. The power ONLY for the lights (not park/ tail, etc) comes off the black ammeter wire, the "welded splice"

There's a breaker right in/ on the light switch for that circuit.

With the switch "clear out" headlights power is fed TO the floor dimmer switch. Two of the terminals should be hot with the light switch on.

The dimmer is a simple SPDT (2 way, or double throw) switch. Power from the light switch feeds to the dimmer, and when you punch it, it switches the output from one terminal (hi) to the other (lo.)

THEN the lo and the hi beam power feeds through the bulkhead connector, ANOTHER trouble spot

When the hi and lo beam wires reach the headlights, both of them are grounded through ONE wire at a grounding point on the rad cross support. Check that.

In rare cases where EG the VR is over voltage, etc, all the lights can burn out

HOW TO CHECK

One easy place to start is the dimmer switch. Pull it out or probe the connector in place, and with the light switch, "on" you should have power at two of the three terminals. If only one is hot, likely a bad dimmer. Does the hi beam dash indicator light? Then it's likely either bulkhead connector, damaged harness in the engine bay, bad headlights, or that ground I mentioned.
Click to expand...

Thank you for such a detailed guide. I'm going to walk through this after I finish this switch (if it doesn't solve it).

I don't see any way to disassemble this thing further. I'm going to try cleaning the exterior contacts. Is there a way to pull this apart further?
 
69Dart4DR said:
Thank you for such a detailed guide. I'm going to walk through this after I finish this switch (if it doesn't solve it).

I don't see any way to disassemble this thing further. I'm going to try cleaning the exterior contacts. Is there a way to pull this apart further?
Click to expand...
No and last I knew those switches should be available through "real" auto parts stores. And I agree, you better find out where the water came from
 
As mentioned make sure to chk dimmer switch. I had 4 harness and everyone had a melted dimmer switch connector. Water from shoes/boots pools down there.
 
69Dart4DR said:
Got it off! Looks rough
Click to expand...
Glad you got it all functional.



The plastic part is reproduced, saw one recently.

If not put a wanted ad and some one will have a good used one.

My 67 dart had the same issue.

I cleaned up the switch contacts and replaced the plastic and tightened the terminals.

All good now
 
69Dart4DR said:
Hello Mopar Wizards,

I am trying to trace down a headlight issue. My headlights will not turn on. The parking lights and blinkers work fine. I just installed a brand-new battery. I used a circuit tester, and the fuses all seem to be good. I checked the headlight female-plug, and it is reading 0 volts on a multi-meter. I printed out the wiring diagram and am trying to trace down the path. Any suggestions on where to start?

Cheers,
Tom
69 Dodge Dart
Click to expand...
1. Do you have power to the hi/low switch on the floor?
2. Power at the bulk head connector on the engine side?
3. Power at the bilb?
 
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