Driving in to work tonight and I turn my left blinker on - my headlights go off. Then they come on and off (it's pitch black!!) all the way to work. I hit some RR tracks and they went out so I am thinking it is a ground, maybe? I am going to tinker with it in the daylight tomorrow to see if I can find the culprit. Got a long night ahead of me so thought I'd see if anyone might have experienced this before and can point me in an even closer direction. :P
Check your head light switch.The plug may have lose wire's or the plug may be cracked.
You mean at the dash, correct? I did not think of that, thank you Pintoman. I did check all of my wiring under the hood and it all looks A-OK.
Hello sagesunrise,
If you have changed to "Halogen headlamps" they require more current to run and your original Pinto headlight switch can not handel it. "Meltdown"
You need to replace the switch. Possibally install a relay switch.
From Pintony
Thanks Tony,
I have not switched to halogen lights, so I am leaning towards the loose connection at the switch. It is rather awkward to get to the back of the switch, but I was able to wiggle the wire a bit. I will keep trying to troubleshoot, but am thinking that the connection at the switch is the likely source. I do appreciate everyone's advice and tips, thank you.
I had a '71 a number of years ago, and a similar thing happened with the headlights. It turned out to be the floor dimmer switch plugin.
That is another option. It all started when I went to use my turn signals (had used them previously with no problem) so not sure if it is dimmer switch related, but I'll check it out Kris, thanks. Rack will be on it's way tomorrow! You should get your receipts that I sent tomorrow as well.
Hey sagesunrise,
OK, NO halogen....
Open the hood on your Pinto.
There are 2 grounds 1 near each headlight on the core support.
These grounds are most likely the next place to check.
ALSO make sure you have a ground from the battery to the frame "Chassis" to the engine block.
Remember that the alt. is bolted to the engine BUT the regulator is on the rad. core.
Make the charging systems life easy. make good grounds.
From Pintony
Now that you mention that, Tony, I noticed they did not reinstall my ground from the frame to the battery. I do have an extra ground strap that I will put back on the car. I agree on the good grounding issue. The two grounds coming off the core support near the headlights are nice and tight. I'll get that strap put back on and take a look at my wiring at the headlight switch and even the dimmer switch. I generally don't have to drive the little bugger at night but last night had to pull a graveyard so I am glad to have discovered the issue.
Just because the screws on your core support are tight does not mean they are clean.
Remove the screws and make sure the threads are not cloged with paint or corosion.
from Pinto.
P.S. Make sure that you inatall that ground strap or you will burn out the alt.
I had a similar problem 8 years ago. The headlights would go off and on when going over bumps, or just for no reason at all.
If memory serves, the mechanic said there was something funky with the connection at or near the ignitiion switch. He fixed it and I haven't had a problem since.
I have a new headlight to install and all I could get was halogens. I guess I'll need a new light switch then?
I HAD A SIMMILAR PROBLEM WITH A 79 PINTO I USED TO OWN, A MECHANIC TOLD ME MY ALTN. WAS GOING BAD. I REPLACED IT AND GUESS WHAT, I STILL HAD THE PROBLEM. I CURED THE PROBLEM WITH A NO COST CURE........I CLEANED THE BATTERY CABLES! THEY CAN LOOK CLEAN,BUT CLEANING THEM ANYWAY MIGHT HELP.........SCOTT