Replacing some bulbs and now no headlights or crank.

[SpiderCake]

Howdy,

Started the once over on the newly purchased 76 today. Running lights were not working in the rear as well as the plate lights. I removed the driver side rear assembly, cleaned it including taking a Dremel with a wire wheel to the inside of the bulb holders. I also cleaned the tops of the positive contacts in each bulb holder. Back together, on the car and everything tested fine. I didn't remove the passenger side rear, just removed the lenses, cleaned the socket of the bad bulb and replaced it. Lenses back on and tested it but this time when switching on the headlights to test I got no headlights and the car would not turn over. For some reason the brake light was still on so I pulled the hand brake and put it back down, cycled the key and the headlights came back as well as cranking. I moved on to the plate lights, took one off, cleaned it, installed a bulb and now I'm back to no headlights or crank. I removed the one plate light bulb and disconnected both rear assemblies at the harness connector. Still no headlights or crank. When I cycle the headlight switch through parking then on the gauges light up in parking then dim in the on position. Still get the warning lights to cycle as they do normally. Another note, I replaced the negative cable and the positive cable end a few days ago but I've driven the car since then.

Suggestions?

Thanks,

~SC

[spider2081]

Do you have a volt/ohm meter? I would measure the battery voltage first. See if it changes when you turn things on. With a fully charged batter there should not be much change except when engine is cranking to start. Then it drop toward 11 volts from it's 12.6 volts.

[SpiderCake]

That is the plan today. Will report back thanks.

~SC

[SpiderCake]

First try and back to normal. Battery with no load is showing 12.6, all the testing must have made it drop. Battery is only 2 years old but the car was non op for 6 years. Previous owner must have thrown a used battery in it. Going to run a trickle on it for a bit to get out of it what I can and most likely replace it soon. Thanks for the response.

~SC

[SpiderCake]

Not so sure about the battery being the issue. I mounted the plate light and it did it again. Installed a new battery. disconnected everything in the rear and still no front lights or turn over. No big drop in voltage when headlights are on. Reviewing fuses and relays now to see what might be bad.

~SC

[spider2081]

How about the primary engine ground that connects to the bell housing near the starter to the driver side floor.

[SpecialTool]

...or the power to the starter solenoid...

[SpiderCake]

So I found some bulbs in the rear that were wrong, replaced them. Replaced the side running bulbs, cleaned all lighting connections and reconnected everything. No issues since. I think I 'm going to put fuse block upgrade on my to do list.

Thanks for posts everyone.

~SC