Need some help from an electrical expert - narrowed down the headlight issue

[AF-s10]

Okay I think I have narrowed down the headlight problem, but I could use some help to see if this is potentially the fix.



I pulled down the diagram from autozone to review and check the fuse block. I found one that shows the wiring to and from the fuse block. With the help of one of the guys I work with, it looks like there is a wire off the fuse block that feeds both the headlamp switch and the dimmer switch. It also feeds a few other things, but I can\'t check the other items because they are not in the truck.



My question is, the wire that powers it is listed as ORN for the color. Is that orange or some other color? I don\'t want to chase the wrong wire.



Other question, I have followed the advice of a couple folks (thanks for all the previous help btw) and checked for power on both the headlamp switch, and also the dimmer switch. I have no power on any line going in. Would one wire cause the others to be dead as well? I am not a good person when it comes to electrical, i would assume a break in a circuit would bring the circuit down, but would all the other wires be dead from this one?



Again, thank you all for the help with this truck, I have already learned a lot just trying to fix the problems I had when I started! Also, if anyone needs it, I do have the schematic saved off on my PC, so I can post it if it would help to see what I am talking about.

[erkenbrand]

Yup, ORN is orange.



You should have power going in to your headlight switch from the fuse block. This power should be always hot - key on or key off. In my truck I found that I accidentally cut that line along with the others I was removing and it turned into a nightmare of backtracking until I found it.



To test it, I\'d suggest finding another hot wire and feeding power to the appropriate point on the switch. If your lights work then, you know what the problem is. Then, it\'s a relatively simple matter of tracing that wire back to find the break, or just run a new wire in its place back to the fuse block.



Good luck!

[gs97chevys10]

orn is orange and i agree use your radio wire for hot and check it radio is always hot or from bat. w/fuse inbetween as to not blow anymore.remember if it broken once you supply power to it it could ground out if open wire break so use (fused hot lead)....

[riotpolice75]

i\'m seein 4 orange wires comin off the fuse panel. stop/hazard, ECM-B, ignition switch, and headlamps. before you go pokin holes in all your wires lookin for power you might wanna start at the headlamp switch and backtrack that orange wire to the fuse panel.



check that you got power on both sides of the fuse first. if you do then you can eliminate everything between there and the battery. get yourself a small razor blade and a roll of electrical tape. your gonna need it.







smith

[AF-s10]

Is there a trick to tracking wires? I was looking at the wiring, and yeah I saw 4 wires. I was only able to figure out which wire was the radio wire, and noticed the first 2 rows of the top spots seems to have no power....

[s10carguy]

if you check continuity with a meter between the switch and the fuse block you may find a loose connection somewhere. you should find continuity to the main feed from the battery because the headlights aren\'t fused. disconnect the battery though.