GENTLEMEN, THE COURTESY LIGHTS ON MY 65 CONVERTIBLE STAY ON WHETHER THE DOORS AND REAR HATCH ARE OPEN OR CLOSED. WHAT GIVES? ARE THE COURTESY LIGHT SWITHCES BROKEN? DO I HAVE A GROUND WIRE NOT CONNECTED PROPERLY? THANKS IN ADVANCE. HOW DO I TAKE THE COURTESY LIGHT SWITHCES OUT IF THEY ARE IN FACT THE PROBLEM? THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ALL YOUR HELP. AND THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED ME WITH MY DISTRIBUTOR PROBLEM. KAS
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Re: MID YEAR COURTESY LIGHTS
Keith,
When operating properly the door jamb switches complete the ground for this circuit and the courtesy lights go on. I had a number of problems with mine (which are now cured), but here is a (partial?) list of what could be wrong:
1. Bad jamb switch (these go for about $10 each). 2. One of the wires for the switches is pinched and is grouding out somewhere. 3. It might even tie into a worn-out headlight switch (about $20).
None of my courtesy lights worked at all (the drivers side light was cut and sittng in the glovebox). I replaced the headlight switch because the dash lights flickered when I rotated the headlight knob, and to my surprise when I rotated the knob past the detent position the passenger side courtesy bulb came on. However this bulb still didn't come on when I "just" opened the doors. Two new jamb switches cured that problem. After I re-installed the socket and bulb from the glovebox onto the drivers side I was 2 for 3. Finally, the rear hatch light was fixed by just adjusting the way the bulb sat in its socket (easy enough).
Like I've heard before, sometimes a problem isn't just one thing, but a combination of problems - even for something as simple as courtesy lights!
Good Luck, John R. -
Re: MID YEAR COURTESY LIGHTS
One unlikely but possible problem is that the headlight switch could be rotated to the "on" position.Comment
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Re: MID YEAR COURTESY LIGHTS
Agree with prior comment re headlight sw. If that's not it, here's how it works: All three lamps get 12v all the time on an orange wire "cortesy-clock" circuit. A white wire goes to both door switches and the headlight switch. Any one of these switches can ground the white wire and light the lamps. A failure in any one of these switches, or a short to ground anywhere on the white wire will light the lamps. Common problems are: a shorting together of the wires at the back of one of the door switches or pinching the white wire somewhere along the way. Unplug the white wire at each of these points to isolate the problem area. Good Hunting!Comment
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Re: MID YEAR COURTESY LIGHTS
You might also check the fuse box connections, this was my problem.Comment
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Re: MID YEAR COURTESY LIGHTS
Gents, thanks for your help. The problem turned out to be a series of loose wires, bent light sockets and one ground break. The door jamb swithches, amazingly enough, were just fine. Your collective advice vectored me in the right areas to conduct a "systems analysis" and saved me lots of time and and expense. Again, thanks. Sincerely, KASComment
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Re: MID YEAR COURTESY LIGHTS
I have (notice the present tense) the opposite situation, no lights at all. Here is what I have checked: 1. Door jamb sockets and rear convertible sockets get no power 2. Glove box light is completey missing 3. Orange power wires appear intact
Should I be checking the headlight switch? The orange "hot" wires? The door jamb sockets themselves?
Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks, GaryComment
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Re: MID YEAR COURTESY LIGHTS
Gary,
This was the same problem that I had, and my prior post indicates the steps I went through. The headlight switch is a cheap part ($20) and (as far as I know) the same for most GM cars of this period. So maybe you could "borrow" one from a friend to try it out.
John R.Comment
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Re: MID YEAR COURTESY LIGHTS
As an added question, does anyone have a suitable replacement bulb (type and number) for their mid-year courtesy lights? I cannot find one locally especially since I don't have one to compare to. Mine are all missing.Comment
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