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I have a 2001 Tahoe (5.3 L) and the headlights will not ...

Sent to Car Experts January 26 11:09 AM

I have a 2001 Tahoe (5.3 L) and the headlights will not come on (low or high beam) on the automatic or manual position of the switch. I have replaced the lamps & switch, checked the fuses & swapped the relay (in fuse box). The still won't work (all other lights work). Any suggestions?

Optional Information:
2001 Chevrolet Tahoe 5.3 liter

Already Tried:
checked fuses, swapped out relay (with rear defroster relay - same type), replaced lamps, replaced switch.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $10
Answer
January 26 11:36 AM (26 minutes and 23 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

You need to check at the headlights to see if you are missing the power or the ground. The headlamps ground through the dimmer switch. You could have a problem with the dimmer switch and causing the headlights not to come on. Let me know what your findings are. Here is a wiring diagram for the headlights maybe it can help you out some.

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autodoc_2000 -- Auto Service Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 928 Car Accepts
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Reply
January 26 11:49 AM (13 minutes and 47 seconds later)
         
Reply to autodoc_2000's Post: How do I check the ground / power at the headlights?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
January 26 11:56 AM (6 minutes and 10 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

Use a test light and hook one end up to the battery ground. Take the pointed end and touch the terminals on the connector that plugs onto the bulb (disconnect the connector first). See if the light lights up when touching any terminals. It should light up on orange wire. If not let me know and I will help you further. If it lights up put the clamp end of the test light on the battery positive. Now take the pointed end and touch the terminals again. If it doesnt light up you have no ground and you will need to check for a ground at the dimmer switch. If you have a ground and power double check the bulb. Here is a picture of a test light. It can be aquired at most auto parts stores and department stores.

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autodoc_2000 -- Auto Service Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 928 Car Accepts
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Reply
January 26 1:13 PM (1 hour and 17 minutes and 3 seconds later)
         
I got a tester -- the tester did NOT light up when I touched it to either connector (connected to (-) side of battery. Any suggestions?
I'll send your payment...
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Reply
January 26 1:44 PM (31 minutes and 16 seconds later)
         
Relist: I still need help.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
January 26 2:06 PM (22 minutes and 9 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Go to the under hood junction block and check the two 15 amp fud=ses to see if you have power on both sides of the fuse. Use the diagram above to follow the power circuit. If you have power then you have a wiring issue. If no power it then goes to the relay from there to the headlight switch and from there back to a 10 amp fuse in the fuse block under the hood.

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autodoc_2000 -- Auto Service Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 928 Car Accepts
ASE Master Tech w/ Advance Engine Performance
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January 26 2:21 PM (15 minutes and 20 seconds later)
         
Reply to autodoc_2000's Post: How do I check for power on both sides of the fuses? attach the test light to the ground or positive side of the battery, or ???
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
January 26 2:27 PM (5 minutes and 56 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
To check for power attach the test light to the (-) ground side. To check for ground attach the test light to the (+) power side.

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autodoc_2000 -- Auto Service Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 928 Car Accepts
ASE Master Tech w/ Advance Engine Performance
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January 26 2:49 PM (22 minutes and 14 seconds later)
         
Reply to autodoc_2000's Post: I think I may have gotten a bad tester. The light doesn't go on even with things that work (horn fuse / tester connected to "-" post of battery)
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Reply
January 26 2:54 PM (5 minutes and 1 second later)
         
I retested the light connector (with light switched to "ON") the tester DID light up....
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
January 26 2:55 PM (4 seconds later)
         
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autodoc_2000 -- Auto Service Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 928 Car Accepts
ASE Master Tech w/ Advance Engine Performance
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January 26 3:02 PM (7 minutes and 41 seconds later)
         
The lamp connector lit up for a ground and these wires on the switch connector (green, black, & blue).

The other wires on the switch connector did not light up for a ground (tester connected to "+" side)

Any ideas??
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
January 26 3:11 PM (8 minutes and 28 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Do you mean that the light light lit up on the orange wire at the headlight itself?

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autodoc_2000 -- Auto Service Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 928 Car Accepts
ASE Master Tech w/ Advance Engine Performance
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January 26 3:15 PM (4 minutes and 44 seconds later)
         
Reply to autodoc_2000's Post: Yes, there is power at the headlamp (tester on "-" post / tester lit up when touching the orange connector.

I also tested for the ground and that was good.

I tested the Switch connector for ground and the Green, Black, & blue lit up for a ground. The other wires did not...
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
January 26 3:20 PM (4 minutes and 26 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
If you have power and ground at the connector to the bulb the headlight should be lighting up. Are you sure you have good light bulbs? Take a paper clip and put it in one of the pins in the connector and clip your test light to it. Now touch the other end to the other terminal does the light light up?

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autodoc_2000 -- Auto Service Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 928 Car Accepts
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January 26 3:31 PM (10 minutes and 59 seconds later)
         
Reply to autodoc_2000's Post: I tried the paper clip test on the lamp connector -- no light.

I re-tested the lamp connector -- it has power, but no ground...
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
January 26 3:40 PM (8 minutes and 55 seconds later)
         
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autodoc_2000 -- Auto Service Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 928 Car Accepts
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