[camaromotorcars.com]

Jim, I visited the wiring diagrams. They are very well done and I think should be framed and hung on the wall! Actually, after looking at the diagrams, I learned more about my problem. The orange wire on the light switch, I believe is to always be hot. In my troubleshooting it is not. This is also the wire that has a bad connection behind the fuse panel. This is the lowest wire in the panel and over the years I think moisture ruined the connection. If the problem persists, you bet I will reroute that orange wire. Thanks, Richard.

[JimM]

the orange wire is the power lead for the courtesy lights.
It should be hot all the time. It comes from the clk-cty-ltr fuse, and only goes to the light switch so when you turn the knob all the way, the interior lights come on.

I don't think this is related to your other lighting problems, keep looking, probably have another bad wire maybe in the same area.

Those diagrams are gorgeous, and very well done. Thank Larry (user ID 69-er) for sharing them with us.

[JimM]

Originally Posted by JimM

the orange wire is the power lead for the courtesy lights.
It should be hot all the time. It comes from the clk-cty-ltr fuse, and only goes to the light switch so when you turn the knob all the way, the interior lights come on..

EDIT: and that's what I get for not looking at the diagrams my own self.

That particular orange wire has nothing to do with courtesy lights. It comes off the taillight fuse, goes straight to the light switch, and powers only the tail lights and parking lights.

The headlight side of the switch is powered by a 12 guage (big) red wire and is unfused, then a light blue wire goes down to the high beam switch. Just looking toward the law of averages, I'd peel the carpet back and check out that high beam switch if you are having headlight trouble.

[camaromotorcars.com]

Here is the latest on my problem. I would take a test light and touch the fuse for the headlights. It had power on one side but not the other and then sometimes it did. It was a new fuse. While touching the terminals on the fuse panel for the headlights I noticed sparks would fly. Here is what fixed my problem. The fuse holder for the headlights was rusty. I took the whole assembly off and cleaned and used electrical cleaner and battery corrosive protector. I also had to wrap the ends of the fuse with foil to get a better connection. All is well so far. Dashlights work good (new bulbs). Only problem now is that the turn signal indicators on the dash do not light up. They do work outside. Also, brake light does not seem to be getting power at the switch. Thanks, Richard.