Weird problem with 77 Courtesy Lights. Help!

[Mark A.]

I'm working on a 77 coupe. The courtesy lights did not work at first. One connection was broken, and the fuse was blown. After repair, it will work once in awhile, but now they are stuck on and will not shut off. They would work maybe 5 times of opening and closing the door. When the lights went off I heard a "dink" sound. Wondering if there is a timer in the circuit that could be sticking. My wiring diagram is for earlier C-3's, and does not show one. Does anyone have an idea what could be wrong here? I need to get this fixed. Thanks for the help. Mark

[Edward J.]

Re: Weird problem with 77 Courtesy Lights. Help!

Mark I know that at some point they added a timer for the dome lights for later C3'S, If it does have one its behind the glove box and is housed in a Orange colored plastic housing. and they are known to be a problem. they do repro them.

[Mark A.]

Re: Weird problem with 77 Courtesy Lights. Help!

Do you mean behind the passenger dash pad? There is no glove box. Mark

[Alan D.]

Re: Weird problem with 77 Courtesy Lights. Help!

Mark,
If the car has the ZX2 option there is a timer assembly 461294 mounted above and between the speedometer and tachometer. This relay controls the courtesy lights and the dome light. The time delays the shutting off of the lights after closing the doors. It usually fails on but not always. The relay most likely is not performing correctly. To replace it usually requires lifting the dash pad to access it. Have fun.
The relay is not inexpensive but still available.

[Edward J.]

Re: Weird problem with 77 Courtesy Lights. Help!

Mark, sorry about miss leading you, the last one I did was on a 80 and it had a glove box. I am glad Alan chimed in with the correct location,

[Tom R.]

Re: Weird problem with 77 Courtesy Lights. Help!

Mark,
To replace it usually requires lifting the dash pad to access it. Have fun.
The relay is not inexpensive but still available.

You 77 guys should put your heads together and do a write up about what should be replaced while you have that dash out...like timer replay, tach board and any other perishable sort of items that are a pain to get to.

[John D.]

Re: Weird problem with 77 Courtesy Lights. Help!

Mark, if you have reactivated the timing relay that is between the specometer and the tachometer you should also plan for your battery to be dead at some time in the not so distant future. This is a long term problem that the 77's are famous for. I finally bypassed the timer and my electrical problems went away.