71 Charger Headlight issues!

[jenkins71]

Hi guys!
Did some re-wiring work on my 71 Charger today. I replaced the ammeter wires as best I could, as they were melted a bit.
Okay, so here's my main problem. The headlights are doing something weird! They'll be on, then all of a sudden I'll here something under the dash click, like relay, and the headlights turn off! then after a few seconds they will turn back on. Then after maybe like 45 seconds, the CLICK will happen again and the headlights will go out again for a few seconds! It'll just repat this cycle over and over.
Any ideas of what the HECK is going on here? THanks! Sam

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

I don't have a '71 but there may be a circuit breaker on the '71 models that is tripping due to excess current or it's just plain faulty. After it cools back down, it resets and the lights come back on again until it gets too hot again and trips once more. Repeat, repeat, repeat......

 

[jenkins71]

I wasn't aware that there was a circuit breaker on this model..... there isn't one in the fuse box. Any clue where it might be?

 

[mopar 3 B]

There is no circuit breaker unless someone put it there and would be non-factory. Check the dimmer switch and maker sure a wire is not grounding to floor. Lighting circuit should be fuse linked in engine compartment before going through bulk head maybe someone put a circuit breaker there instead of replacing the fuse link.

 

[mrsnicks]

Dimmer or headlight switch. Start with the dimmer switch as it's easier to get to.

 

[Roger63]

If it is a hidden headlight car the part in question is located just to the righr of the ashtray under the dash

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

I don't have a '71 but there may be a circuit breaker.....

Key words are above in RED. It was a thought, an idea, sorry I was off base. Description sounds like a CB resetting. It was not intended to be an absolute truth.

 

[iraqivet01]

Not a circuit breaker. A relay would be making a clicking noise. If they are going on and off, sounds like a ground loosing contact, or the relay is going out.

 

[mopar 3 B]

Keep forgetting these have electric motors on the headlight doors. Relays to motors for headlight doors?

 

[Roger63]

Thats right and headlights and doors are all wired through the same relay

 

[jenkins71]

So if the door relay goes bad, the headlights go out?
Thanks

 

[mrsnicks]

No. The hide-a-way headlight relay is spliced into the green wire to the headlight switch to open and close the door based on the headlights turning on and off. The headlights get separate power from a completely separate wiring harness and source. I think the headlight switch has overload protection in it which can cause the headlights to go off. I still say it's the dimmer switch or headlight switch.

Patrick