So Fix it

Ford vehicles feature two types of headlights: large one-piece lamps, which are called sealed-beam headlamps; and composite headlights, which have bulbs that plug into the glass housing from the rear of the headlight. Broken sealed-beam headlights cannot be repaired. Composite headlights, however, can be replaced in just a few minutes.

Instructions

1

Determine the type of headlight: a two-light system, which will have low and high beams in one unit; or a four-light part system, which has separate low and high beam lights. Sealed-beam headlights can be either square or round.

2

Remove the headlight housing trim by unscrewing the screws holding it in place. Remove the retaining ring by unscrewing the retaining screws while holding the back of the lamp in place. Lower it from the frame and unplug it from the back (three prongs on an two-light system; two prongs on a four-light system). Do not remove the two aiming screws, one on the top or bottom of the housing unit and another on the side. Both are spring-loaded and are not holding the retaining ring in place.

3

Clean the trim, retaining ring and socket that the new lamp will sit in. Make certain there is no corrosion and the wires on the plug are in good condition.

4

Plug in the new headlight and push the light into the socket. Make certain the writing on the headlight is at the top when you are pushing the light into the socket, which has grooves to navigate the lamp into place, guiding bumps on top of the lamp into the socket.

5

Screw the retaining screws into place, while holding the new headlight in place. Screw the trim back into place.

The 1969 Chevrolet truck has two headlights. Theore, each headlight will have two filaments built in; one for the high beam and one for low beam. Headlight failure was prevalent on some early vehicles. The dimmer switch on these vehicles mount on the floor and exposes the wiring and connections to an abundance of moisture and corrosion. Another issue was the actual headlight switch or the plug that connected to it would heat up and the connection would fail. Headlight failure is unacceptable, and all issues should be addressed and corrected to maintain safe driving.

Instructions

1

Put on safety glasses. Remove at least one headlight bulb, using a screwdriver to remove the hold-down ring around the headlight, and test it. Connect a jumper wire between one of the parallel prongs of the headlight and the positive terminal on a 12-volt battery. Connect a second jumper wire between the negative battery terminal or a grounded engine component and the single prong below the two parallel prongs. If the light is bad, replace it.

2

Inspect the entire fuse box for any blown or discolored fuses. The fuse box on a 69 Chevy truck is located under the dash on the drivers side of the truck. The 69 Chevy truck uses a glass tube fuse.

3

Inspect the ground wire, which bolts to the radiator support behind the headlight socket on most older vehicles, for a good connection. If the connection is burnt or discolored, unbolt it with a wrench and clean it with a wire brush. Most models have a small black wire that mounts to the chassis with a 5/16-inch self-tapping metal screw.

4

Charge the Chevy trucks battery with a charger or by running the engine for 15 minutes. If you are charging the battery, the red terminal of the charger should be connected to the positive terminal, and the black terminal connects to the negative terminal of the battery.

5

Pull the headlight switch to full-on position. If the switch is pulled out halfway, it lights the parking lights only. Click the dimmer switch several times; take notice as to whether the high-beam indicator lamp in the dash lights up. If the high-beam indicator lights up, test the dimmer switch.

6

Roll back the carpet or floor mat around the dimmer switch, found on the truck floor. Locate and remove the connector plug. Use two jumper wires and join all three wires of the dimmer switch plug together. If the headlights come on, replace the dimmer switch. If lights do not come on, check the plug with a 12-volt test light for a hot wire. One wire in the plug should light the test light unless the headlight switch is bad. Be sure the test light is grounded to a metal ground.

7

Remove the headlight switch. The main mechanism of the switch is behind the dashboard and the pull knob is on the outside of the dashboard. From under the dashboard, press the spring-loaded tab, located on the switch mechanism, and rotate the headlight switch to the left to activate the interior lights. The switch must be rotated to pull the knob and rod out of the switch mechanism. Unscrew the thin nut on the front side of the dashboard that holds the switch in the dash with a box-end wrench. Drop the switch below the dashboard and unplug it.

8

Probe the headlight connector plug with a 12-volt DC test light until the hot wire is found. If no hot wire is found, check the plug that comes through the cowl near the fuse box on the cowl side of the cab. Check the plug and headlight switch for heat related failure, melted or discolored wires.

9

Inspect the wiring harness plugs, on the firewall side of the cab, that go through the firewall, for burnt or discolored wires. These wires are located around the area where the steering shaft comes through the cowl.

10

Trace the wiring harness from the headlight bulbs or headlamps back to the cowl, checking for cracked, frayed or burnt wires. If any damaged wires are found, replace or repair the wiring harness.

Your Dodge Rams headlights provide the light you need to drive safely at night. Regularly inspect the trucks headlights to ensure they function properly. If they dont function properly or are burned out, promptly replace them with new, better-performing headlights. Replacing a burned out bulb is simple, requiring only basic tools and a little time.

Instructions

1

Turn off the Dodge Ram and set its parking break. Ensure the headlight switch is in the "Off" position.

2

Open the hood.

3

Unscrew the expanding fastener located in the headlight welt. Use a socket wrench to remove the three bolts holding the headlight assembly to the vehicle body.

4

Pull the headlight assembly away from the vehicle body in order to access the electrical connections.

5

Unlock and remove the headlight connector by depressing the plastic tab and pulling straight back from the headlamp.

6

Twist the headlight collar 1/4-turn to remove it from the headlight assembly.

7

Insert the new bulb into the headlight assembly and lock it in place. Reconnect all electrical connections. Reverse the above steps to replace headlight assembly. Ensure that all electrical connections are secure and that all bolts and screws are tight.

8

Check the functionality of the headlights by turning the headlight selector switch to the "On" position. The headlights should illuminate. If not, double check all electrical connections.

Replacing the headlights on the Suzuki Grand Vitara may be required if the lights have damage or if they are extremely discolored or cloudy. Replacement headlights are available from the Suzuki dealer network and through some specialty parts stores. Used headlights can often be found in salvage yards at a much lower price, but check them over to make sure they are not damaged or discolored as well.

Instructions

1

Open the hood of your Grand Vitara, then locate the screws in the perimeter of the grill from the front. Remove them with a Phillips screwdriver and lift the grill off the car.

2

Locate the electrical connector on the back of the headlight assembly and disconnect it by pulling it straight away from the back of the headlight assembly. You will need to depress the locking tab on the connector before you can remove it.

3

Locate the screw in the radiator support above the headlight assembly. Remove it with a Phillips screwdriver. Move to the front of the light and remove the two screws at the bottom of the headlight assembly with your Phillips screwdriver, then pull the headlight assembly straight out. Disconnect any wires that are still attached.

4

Position the new headlight in the front of your Suzuki and install the three retaining screws. Tighten them with a Phillps screwdriver. Connect the electrical connector to the rear of the headlight assembly, pushing it in until the locking tab engages. Repeat the process on the opposite side of the truck.

5

Position the grill in place on the front of the vehicle and install the retaining screws. Tighten the screws with a Phillips screwdriver. Close the hood.

Automobile headlights have gotten progressively smaller, brighter, and more focused on the road. In early cars headlights were mounted in big, hulking, self-contained units to the front of the grille. As vehicles got more sophisticated headlights were integrated into the body, though they remained self-contained units. In modern vehicles the headlamp is usually a shell which houses replaceable light bulbs.

The First Headlamps

The earliest cars used gas or oil and acetylene-powered headlights mounted to the hood, which were about as big as a basketball and externally powered. Drivers had to get out of the car to turn them on. They had to be frequently repaired or replaced, especially if operated in rainy weather. Electric headlamps finally came into use in 1912. They were still bulky and externally powered, but held up better in inclement weather.

Electric Headlights

As electric headlamps became powered by the cars electrical system, they got smaller and more frequently integrated into the body of the car. They were about the size of a grapefruit or smaller. Mounted at the far, outside corners of the hood, the brighter, smaller electric lights could be focused lower to provide a wide sweep of the road ahead while creating less glare in the eyes of on-coming drivers.

Halogen Headlights

Halogen headlights came of age in the mid-60s. Using a tungsten filament they produce a much brighter light than the older electric lights and last much longer. Because of the improved brightness, they allowed an explosion in headlight shapes and sizes. In the 70s and 80s rectangular-shaped headlights about the size of a checkbook were popular. They were made possible by the superior brightness of halogen lights. They remained self-contained units that plugged into the headlight frame on the car.

High Intensity Discharge

Halogen lamps remain the most common form of car headlight. In modern cars, though, the lamp casing is part of the car. Only the bulbs are replaced. Most manufacturers also offer high-intensity discharge, or HID bulbs. HID lamps use no filament at all. They use an inert gas, usually xenon, that glows brilliantly when a high-voltage arc is present. These lamps can produce twice the brightness of halogen, use less energy, and can appear in different colors. The bluish-white headlights on some high-end cars is produced through HID lamps. Some manufacturers now make bluish halogen bulbs to imitate HIDs, but the halogens do not produce as bright or clear a light.