as the title says, and here is some more information. The dash lights all come on and i just need to hook up the tail lights but have to do some fabricating because the harness connects way in the back and mine only goes to about the front of the back seat. I am sure I can figure that out, but what really concerns me is the headlights. They don't turn on and just need some reference points. Anyone else been here before?

 

this sounds dumb, but......
did you check to make sure they are plugged in at the switch? How are the fuses? Are they grounded properly?

Since you swapped out the whole harness, I am assuming you have a wiring diagram for the harness.....
Check to see that you have 12 volts going into the switch. If you do, check and see if you have 12 volts coming out of the switch when the lights are turned on. If yes, check power at lights?

If no power coming into switch, check at fuse panel. Do you have power at the panel going to the headlight switch? If no, follow wiring to the relays that run the fuse box and check for power there.

Basically what all of this is saying is....
Start at one point and work your way thru the problem. Electrical problems can be really easy or really hard, depending on how you approach them. Go step by step from the battery, making sure that power enters and leaves each component on its way to the headlights. It can be time consuming, but you WILL find your culprit this way.

GOOD LUCK

 

I just went through this on my 87 GTA, and just as 911rsq says, go from component to component and check everything, and yes it is very frustrating but thats the way it goes. First, I removed both headlights and hooked them up to a 12 VDC source, and made sure the headlights went up and down in the first place. Next, I checked the headlight relay module that is on the firewall to the right of the wiper motor. I unplugged the two clips and slid it out. After yanking off the cover you can check to make sure your relay is in working condition, that when you switch the 12 VDC from the headlight off pin to the headlight on pin. If the relay doesn't switch, then you need to take apart the relay and clean the contacts in there. Next, I checked my headlight switch using a voltmeter on the continuity setting. I numbered the pins on the switch 1 through 6 (one being the top, and six being the bottom). If i remember correctly, in the off position I got continuity across 1 and 6, and across 2 and 3. In the parking light position i got 1-5 and 2-3. With the headlights on I got 1-5 and 2-3-4. This is all for a 87 firebird, so I'm guessing it should be the same for you. My problem was that the pins (contacts) on my switch were dirty. Well, thats about all I did, I hope this helps you. Also, like I said, I just went through this, so if you need more details on anything, more help, or I didn't explain anything let me know.

 

sounds like kin knows what he's talkin about. electrical is fun. i did it as an installer for 5 years.

 

Thanks alot 911, like I said, I just went through the whole headlight thing, so it's all fresh in my head.

 

Went back through it and found out we had a faulty connection. The headlights are fixed!

On a side not converting tail lights are a pain in the a$$, mainly because you have to take most of the interior out and take everything in the way out. I had one hell of a time trying to get the paneling back on. The list shortens on what I have to do to get my baby back, now it is down to

-hooking up exhaust
-tie rod
-power across engine bay
-put misc interior parts back

 

Dude basicly the story goes like this,

I have a 1986 TA, I have to switch on my light switch slowly so my headlight would raise. if I switch it on fast the lights come on but headlights don't raise, I think that I might need to replace the relays that make the doors go up cause I already replaced the headlight swich and still same prolem also the fog light switch was also replaced twice and fog lights don't work. I also made the fog lights on all the time and now none work, sometimes I have to bang the fog light switch while I'm driving. but now none work.

What do you think?
Is it the relays?