Front marker lights turn off when headlights turn on Read more: http:

Hi, I,m new to this forum and just lookin for some help. I bought a 65 longbed recently. Someone had put a tilt steering column in the truck (worst hack job I,ve seen in awhile, anyway..). I finally got the front marker lights to come on and they no longer come on when I hit the brakes! Next problem is that the front markers turn off as soon as I turn the headlights on. Does anyone have any idea where else I should be looking? The only obvious damage to wiring is at the column, which I have been trying to repair. I think it may be a ground or short issue, but not sure and not sure where to look. Never had this body style before and have wanted one for awhile. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you.  

ah!! i saw this post on custom classic trucks...

thats normal...  for the front parking lights to turn off...

this is a later GM switch that shows a jumper between the #3 and #4 terminals to turn the front parking lights on with the switch







run this voltage drop test also....   it should be printable..



you could still have a ground issue at the front bulbs...  

don't forget that the bulb sockets on the front of this truck are probably only connected with 2 wires.. the  turn and the parking light wire..


you can for a test...  strip some 18 gauge wire back about 5 inches..   remove the turn signal bulbs from their sockets..  wrap and then twist the loop of wire tight around the base of the glass part of the bulb but right at the top of the brass body.  then ground the other end of the wire ...

see if the bulbs start working again..

you can also do a voltage drop test like #2 , 3, or 4 above to the brass part of the bulb... if you get more than the 2/100 of a volt.. you have a ground issue...  this is measured to the negative battery post...  

don't forget that the bulb sockets on the front of this truck are probably only connected with 2 wires.. the  turn and the parking light wire..   the bulb is grounded via the clips that hold it in place..  

electrons flow from negative to positive...  no ground .. no light function...


you can for a test...  strip some 18 gauge wire back about 5 inches..   remove the turn signal bulbs from their sockets..  wrap and then twist the loop of wire tight around the base of the glass part of the bulb but right at the top of the brass body.  then ground the other end of the wire ...

see if the bulbs start working again..

you can also do a voltage drop test like #2 , 3, or 4 above to the brass part of the bulb... if you get more than the 2/100 of a volt.. you have a ground issue...  this is measured to the negative battery post...