Topic: Another interior light question.
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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Courtesy lights still don't work. But the center compartment light does work. When I rotate the light switch far left at night the dash lights dim and the amp meter shows discharge. But no courtesy lights. What do you all make of this?
|UPDATED|7/28/2013 7:30:29 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
|UPDATED|7/28/2013 7:30:29 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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I would say double check the bulbs installed that they are the correct ones.
If you can get to one of the courtesy lights check for 12 volts on the ORN wire.
No power you need to trace down the power side.
If power the you will need to chase the ground side
Will check the orange wire on the light in the driver's side footwell this afternoon. Thanks for the suggestion. Even old guys can get to that light!
|UPDATED|7/29/2013 5:27:29 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
|UPDATED|7/29/2013 5:27:29 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #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
"Due to recent economic developments, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off......" 
You say if you turn the light switch to the left, the instrument lamps dim, but you see a discharge on the amp gauge? That's not good....
What happens if you turn the switch the other direction?
If you are showing a discharge(engine running) when dimming the cluster lamps, and the courtesy lamps don't work when turned on with the switch...I'd say you have a short in the courtesy lamp circuit somewhere....
Make sure both courtesy lamps are properly grounded, and both have a full 12v. If not, they will not work....amazingly enough, but I'm sure you knew that.
btw..have you replaced the headlight switch in this thing recently? There are some bad ones out there....
|UPDATED|7/29/2013 10:18:28 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
You say if you turn the light switch to the left, the instrument lamps dim, but you see a discharge on the amp gauge? That's not good....
What happens if you turn the switch the other direction?
If you are showing a discharge(engine running) when dimming the cluster lamps, and the courtesy lamps don't work when turned on with the switch...I'd say you have a short in the courtesy lamp circuit somewhere....
Make sure both courtesy lamps are properly grounded, and both have a full 12v. If not, they will not work....amazingly enough, but I'm sure you knew that.
btw..have you replaced the headlight switch in this thing recently? There are some bad ones out there....
|UPDATED|7/29/2013 10:18:28 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Something is really Weird here 
|UPDATED|7/29/2013 5:24:38 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
The 12VDC that is at the courtesy lights, is also joined at a splice point with the Dome Lt, Cig Lighter and Clock.
If only the 2 courtesy lights do not have power, and the others work, the wires would have to be broken somewhere.
The Dome light and courtesy lights are joined at a splice point that can get a ground from the door SWS or from the headlight switch turned fully CCW.
If the power is good to the courtesy lights and the dome light is working it would have to be broken wires from the light sockets to the splice point
if turning the head light sw CCW and it causes an unusual load as seen on the amp meter (the dome light would come on) then something at the headlight switch must be wrong because opening the doors would do the same thing because that is the ground circuit.
If their is a delay timer it is installed into the circuit just prior to the door switches. if I have traced it wright it should be like this
|UPDATED|7/29/2013 5:24:38 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Thanks guys. I'm no auto electronics guru so thanks for your patience.
Recent developments:
1) With the driver's door open there is power to BOTH the orange and the white wire.
2) When I manually close the switch by pushing on it nothing happens to either wire. Though it appears that the white flickers but it could be my unsteady hand.
3) The courtesy light socket in the driver's side foot well is horribly corroded. I couldn't even remove the light bulb so I snipped the socket off and will replace with a new socket. (Could this be the root of the whole problem?)
Do I need a switch and a socket? Opinions are welcome.
BTW: The light at the rear of my convertible doesn't work. Only the light inside my storage compartment I.e. glove box.
|UPDATED|7/29/2013 6:22:51 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
|UPDATED|7/29/2013 6:22:51 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
The corrosion could cause you trouble. Check the other courtesy light it might be corroded also.
You should not have power on the wht wire. It could be their through the other bulbs because you do not have a ground through any of the switches.
If I read the above diagram right there should be a light in the passenger side foot well. But there is none. Ill bet there's mischief over there. I can't find replacement sockets online.
|UPDATED|7/30/2013 7:22:00 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
If I get one through O'Reilly I imagine it needs a plastic housing for insulation purposes like the original? Also, does lamp size or type matter?
I'll keep you all updated since I figure those who are helping me solve this mystery will want to know what gremlins I uncover. 
|UPDATED|7/30/2013 7:22:00 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #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
Yes, there should be a light for the passenger side, also. It is usually clipped up to the bottom of the dash, about the middle of the map pocket.Might be over towards the side vent, tho.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
What are the odds the clock starts working after the sockets, switches and bulbs are replaced?
Nah... that's too much to ask. 
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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