headlight problem

[98chevy1]

not sure what the deal is but my lights (headlight,tail lights,ect) only work while the truck is running..and sometimmes they wont come on right away either. i've checked the 2 grounds that are on the radiator support for the headlight harness and the ground back on driver side behind tail light, i've wiggle the wires, replaced headlight switch. its an 84 with quad headlights, this started after i put it back together from an engine over haul. i also removed the factory oil,volt and temp gauges an replaced them with after market. please any help would be great!!

[98chevy1]

any thought?? anyone

[Loki]

does the hot wire go to the battery block or termianl, or is it powered only when the iginition switch is on. quick way to tell is if you turn the ignition to on without cranking, have your lights on and see if they come on. if they come on with the ignition switch in the on position, but not with the key out, you'll have to re wire it

[98chevy1]

i assume the hot wire goes to the batt. block..? cuz before the headlighs would work with ignition off. i went out tried what you mentioned and got nothing..with ign. on but not cranking and headlight switch on. even tried cranking and got nothing, truck started/running nothing. took a little bit of running an then they worked. even if truck were to "die" headlights shut off .. i swap for a tbi injection prior to me doing a complete rebuild. i went back to carb and swap back the original engine harness and left the fuse box/harness from the donor 87... there is only one wire from the harness going to that block ( the one on out side fire wall maybe 12" from brake booster)

[98chevy1]

also found out the horn wont work unless truck is running...what the heck is going on????