Thank You Edison, But I Hate Electrical Work. Headlights Out.

I’ve read a lot of posts about electrical systems here- mine has been cut and added to, fuse panel added, and seemingly had every wire raised around everything else- the perfect rays nest. So, I’ve opted for the 21 circuit ez wiring system- on order. in the meantime though, I shorted something out and now my headlights won’t turn on- only the headlights. I changed the bulbs, the circuit breaker behind the switch (not the switch though as I have a dimming dash function and don’t want to lose that), and am taking a look at the floor dimmer today.

I’ll of course sort this out with the new harness, but in the meantime, are there any other weak links I ought to look at?
Thanks in advance.

 

The floor dimmer is logical.

Also, on the inner front left fender there may be a three-wire junction block for the headlights. Testing there or jumping power to that may be revealing.

 

I agree with PeteL. You can bypass the foot dimmer to rule that out, or just use a multimeter to see where the power stops. start with the light switch in the on position and check for voltage at the fender junction block. Assuming that has no power, then work your way back to the dimmer and then the switch to figure out where the problem is.

for what it’s worth, my dimmer wasn’t working well, but after cycling it about 20 times it seems to have cleaned up the inner contacts so it’s working fine now.

I also pulled a rats nest of wiring out of my Jeep and it still ran fine. I also pulled out a real wasp nest and a real bird nest. Lol. I ended up using a basic fuse block and rewiring everything by hand. I looked into a 21 circuit panel (actually bought and returned it) as it is way overkill unless you have a ton of accessories. I’m only using 5 on my main panel, and I plan to add a second panel to separately fuse the few things running off my ignition acc post.

 

Yep, the floor-mounted dimmer switch could be a problem. Usually you'll lose just highs or lows though, not both. Bad ground at the grille usually loses one side or the other.

You have a multimeter? If not, I suggest you get one and learn to use it. You can trace forwards from the light switch, or backwards from the lights, until you find the problem. A test light will also work in this situation.

 

Check the ground too

 

Upgraded to a multimeter from a little single light current tester this past week and learning the ropes. Spent the day hunting things down and think it's a ground somewhere. Going back in this morning - getting under that dash is tough - you need to be a contortionist!

 

Update: I’m an idiot.
Lesson: keep it simple stupid. Also, glass fuses may appear in tact, but are in fact blown out.

Yep- after chasing wires, swapping switches, etc, it was the damn fuse.
Hahaha. Beers with Dad and scratching our heads yesterday was worth it though.

 

The problem with electricity is that there is no mystery, it is logical.
But...Electricity in itwelf is a Mistery. It is magic and so powerful.
Peop!e believe that it is a standard but imagine life without electricity

 

And potential fires to keep you warm in the winter time!

 

Very happy to report that my entire system is sorted - and I learned a lot - without any shorts or electrocution. With exception for my gas gauge - next on the list, was working - all lights are fully functional, and in top shape. I rebuilt my dimmable dash switch, my blinker switch, and mapped my fuse box.

Thank you all for comments.