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Topic: courtesy lights

in Forum: C3 Electrical


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courtesy lights (1/9)
 3/17/18 8:37pm
Jeffy
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1969 Lemans blue coupe with a small block and turbo 400 auto.


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I read the post concerning the courtesy lights that wouldn't work, but I have the exact opposite problem. My courtesy lights won't go off when the doors are shut. 

I checked to make sure the headlight switch wasn't turned all the way counter-clockwise, and it wasn't. Then I thought maybe the door switches (courtesy and door ajar)  were bad so I replaced all of them with new terminal ends on the wires. 

I had to remove the bulbs, because the courtesy lights stay on and won't turn off. 

Any ideas what the problem might be?

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Re: courtesy lights (2/9)
 3/18/18 9:11am
cinorLifetime Member
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1975 L48 Stingray 1992 LT1


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In my electrical diagram when you follow the courtesy light it leads to a switch for the door , then branches and heads to the headlight switch then heads to connector  white wire.  This is for a 75 don't know if that helps or not but maybe could trace backwards and find the problem. could you have some bare wires somewhere?

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Re: courtesy lights (3/9)
 3/18/18 9:29am
Jeffy
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1969 Lemans blue coupe with a small block and turbo 400 auto.


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Not sure about the bare wire, but anything's possible with a car this old. I will check it out. Weird that it just started out of the blue.
Re: courtesy lights (4/9)
 3/18/18 10:06am
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

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#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


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If all of the switches are good, and properly adjusted, then you have a short to ground, most likely somewhere close to the switch. Disconnect the door switches(at the front door jambs) completely, and see if the lights will go out. If they do, then one or both of the switches need adjustment. If the lights do not go out, you have a short to ground. Thumbs Up

It's possible the headlight switch is faulty, also. 


|UPDATED|3/18/2018 7:06:04 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Re: courtesy lights (5/9)
 3/18/18 10:26am
Jeffy
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1969 Lemans blue coupe with a small block and turbo 400 auto.


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Disconnected both switches from the front and the lights stay on. The rear door switches have nothing to do with the courtesy lights?

The headlight switch was replaced about a year ago, so not sure it would be that.  How would I check the head light switch to make sure it isn't faulty?

Also, what would the adjustment to the switches be? Just making sure the tips of the terminals protrude enough to make contact?




|UPDATED|3/18/2018 7:26:58 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Re: courtesy lights (6/9)
 3/19/18 10:52am
manchestersharkLifetime Member
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Not only do they have to make contact, they have to push the end of the switch in far enough to disconnect the circuit. Thus the light loosing power and going out.

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Re: courtesy lights (7/9)
 3/19/18 10:45pm
Jeffy
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1969 Lemans blue coupe with a small block and turbo 400 auto.


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Thanks for your help.

Re: courtesy lights (8/9)
 3/21/18 3:32pm
Jeffy
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1969 Lemans blue coupe with a small block and turbo 400 auto.


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Found the issue. The wire on the driver side switch was grounded right behind the switch. Solved it by putting a piece of heat shrink tube on it.
Re: courtesy lights (9/9)
 3/22/18 9:05pm
stingrayjim jrLifetime Member
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Glad you found the culprit...   the rear door switches are for the car alarm/door ajar light...  :)



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