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Topic: Dome light problem

in Forum: C3 Electrical


Dome light problem

Posted: 5/29/05 5:58pm Message 1 of 6
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA
Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379
Vette(s): 1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.

I replaced the headlight switch in the '81 the other day, and now the dome light stays on when I turn the headlights on. And no matter which way I turn the knob, it still won't turn off.  WTH?!

This problem didn't occur with the old switch. The reason I changed the switch, was the rheostat part of the switch was overheating and smoldering.

Any ideas?





GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.
3.54 Dana 44
'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975




Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.


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Dome light problem

Posted: 5/29/05 8:38pm Message 2 of 6
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424
Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!

When the switch is rotated in normal operation the dome light wires are grounded by the headlight switch.  I suspect something is grounding the wire.  It could be a defective switch.  Look at your old switch.  You will see when the very front of it is rotated, it pushes down a contact lever that just hits the switch housing.  The housing has a ground wire.  When they contact the circuit is complete.

Either this contact is stuck shut, the switch is shorting, or the wire has been pinched to ground.

OR some other weird off the wall crap just happened at the same time.  Not likely, but I have seen weird non-associated things.  But not likely.




Dome light problem

Posted: 5/31/05 6:21pm Message 3 of 6
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA
Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379
Vette(s): 1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.

Thanks Ken.

BTW, is it normal for the ceramic part on the switch to get hot while the lights are on?

Darryl 





GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.
3.54 Dana 44
'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975




Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.


Lifetime Member #26

Dome light problem

Posted: 6/1/05 5:20pm Message 4 of 6
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424
Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!
No, you have an overload in the circuit, or a poor contact creating the heat.


Dome light problem

Posted: 6/2/05 8:08am Message 5 of 6
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA
Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379
Vette(s): 1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.

Any areas within the lighting system in specific I should be checking out?

Darryl





GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.
3.54 Dana 44
'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975




Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.


Lifetime Member #26

Dome light problem

Posted: 6/2/05 6:39pm Message 6 of 6
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424
Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!

Any over load on the dash light circuit.




in Forum: C3 Electrical


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