If you are having trouble with the headlights on your 1973 Dodge Charger, one of four main electrical components on the headlight circuit may have failed: the headlight bulbs, the fuse that prevents surges of electricity from damaging the other components, the wiring harness that brings power to the headlight bulbs, or the headlight switch, which allows the driver to change between the low and high beam headlights. Any one of these components may be the cause of the problems you are having with your headlights.
Tools Used: Voltmeter, Latex gloves, Eraser, Dielectric gel, Socket wrench, Screwdriver
Troubleshoot Headlight Problems
Turn on your 1973 Dodge Charger's headlights. Replace any one that does not turn on. Prop open the hood with the hood support rod. Unplug the headlight wiring harness. Put on your latex gloves to prevent the oils from your fingers damaging the headlight bulb. Press in on the retaining clip securing the headlight bulb in place. Pull out the headlight bulb and insert the new one. Secure it in place with the retaining clip. Plug back in the wiring harness. Turn on the headlights again. If any still do not come on, continue to the next step.
Open the fuse box on the left side of the engine compartment. Pull out the fuse that operates on headlight circuit that has the non-functioning headlight bulb. Check whether the fuse is blown. Replace if it is blown. Turn the headlights on again. If any still do not come on, continue to the next step.
Unplug the headlight wiring harness. Inspect the contacts on the headlight wiring harness for corrosion. Scrub away a layer of corrosion with an eraser. Spread a small amount of dielectric gel over the contacts to prevent future corrosion. Plug the wiring harness back in. Turn on the headlights. If they still do not work, turn them off again. Unplug the wiring harness. Connect the negative lead of the voltmeter to the negative battery terminal. Connect the positive lead to the wiring harness. Determine if any voltage is coming through the harness. Replace if no voltage is coming through. If voltage is coming through, continue to the next step.
Loosen the negative battery terminal with your socket wrench. Lift off the negative battery cable and set aside. Sit in the driver's seat. Remove the two screws securing the steering column bezel to the steering column. Remove the bezel. Unplug the wiring block on the back of the headlight switch. Check whether the contacts on the wiring block and the contacts in the headlight switch are corroded. Clean them in the same manner you did for the headlight wiring harness. Plug the block back into the switch. Reconnect the battery cable. Turn back on the headlights. If they still do not work, unplug the wiring block. Open the fuse panel in the cabin of the Charger. Pull out the fuse for the headlight switch. Check whether it is blown. Replace if it is. If it's not, replace the headlight switch.
0 Comments