what's up with my low beams?

[ScHpAnKy]

my low beams provide a constant 10-12v with the switch pulled to turn on the low beams and I tested it with a multimeter, but the headlights once wired up don't illuminate... what?

[ScHpAnKy]

to add to this, I'm using US ellipsoids on a '88
I have no idea if the lights worked otherwise, im putting the car together from nothing.

[stamar]

fuse.

bulb

wire.

[ScHpAnKy]

fuse.

bulb

wire.

fuse is good
bulb is good
wire provides voltage when switched to headlights on position

however, no illumination

where do the headlights ground to?

[ScHpAnKy]

this is still unresolved, I have voltage at the fusebox, the relay, and bulb connector, but no illumination with a brand new bulb... wtf?

[ScHpAnKy]

oh that's cool, I jumped the relay and now my switch wiring melted.

[DaveSmed]

That sucks. Don't do that.


When you measured power at the socket, the bulb was probably unplugged. Take your measurements with the bulb plugged in. MUCH easier to find the problem.

[ScHpAnKy]

ended up finding out what it was... kinda...

for some reason I have continuity from the brown ground wires on the headlight harness, but I can't use them for grounds, ran some new grounds and headlights work. That explains the voltage on the line but no lights, even after good bulbs, relays, etc

As for the magic smoke I let out early, not really sure why that happened but everything still works.