Interior Lights

[corvetterider84]

I'm not too sure what going on, but my interior lights are not functioning the way they should. They don't come on when I open either one of the doors or when I turn off the ignition.. They do, however, come on when I turn the dimmer switch to the on position, but they are very dim and I've even seen smoke coming from the area of the switch. I believe it must be the switch and was wondering what this job entails or if there could be other possible causes. I have the cluster out right now and to me it seems that the only way to gain access to the switch is by taking out the whole dash??:confused

 

[JonM]

What you need to do is take the knob off...their is a hole on the underside of the knob...stick something in the hole and push the clip towards the rear of the car...the knob should slid off. Then remove the nut around the shaft...then you need to unplug the switch under the dash and remove.

 

[rrubel]

It's also possible that it's the light control module. That's located under the dash on the passenger side, near the ECU. Little black box about 2"x2"x1/2" with a cutout where the connector is. Pull the kick panel off, find the module (it's supposed to be screwed in, but mine was just taped to the ECU wires), take it out, and carefully pull out the circuit board. Mine had a very obviously burned capacitor.
[RICHR]

 

[corvetterider84]

Thanks for that tip. I took mine out tonight and checked it out and it seemed fine. Nothing looked or smelled burnt. I then went to the headlight switch and pinpointed the problem (i think). The switch seems to perform all of its functions except when I turn it all the way to the left to turn on the interior lights. I actually seen it spark and the lights in the car come on very dim. I'm assuming thats where all the smoke I was seeing before came from. Now my other concern is would this switch being bad stop the interior lights from coming on when the doors are open???? Or could this be a whole different problem?? Either way I think I'm gonna try replacing the headlight switch to see what happens. Does anyone know where I could get one and for how much??? Thanks again everyone for the help.

 

[JonM]

http://www.tld-corvette.com/catalog.htm

Code: 670351
Price: $22.00

 

[corvetterider84]

Cool, thanks. I thought it would be more than that. For that money its definitely worth a shot.

 

[JonM]

If you think it should be more...you could send me the difference.

 

[corvetterider84]

will do.

 

[corvetterider84]

http://www.tld-corvette.com/catalog.htm

Code: 670351
Price: $22.00

Ok I bought the new switch and put it on today. I was surprised and upset to see that it was still sparking and the lights still wouldn't come on with the doors open. I then noticed that two wires that go to the brake light switch were very warm and were starting to melt since I respliced and taped them up the other day. When I disconnected those wires from the brake light switch the interior lights come on as bright as they should when I turn the dimmer switch on, however they still don't come on when I open the doors. I'm assuming that there must be a short in one or both of these wires, or could this brake light switch that I recently replaced be bad. I'm getting closer to solving this problem, but not quite there yet. Any suggestions??:confused

 

[JonM]

Ok I bought the new switch and put it on today. I was surprised and upset to see that it was still sparking and the lights still wouldn't come on with the doors open. I then noticed that two wires that go to the brake light switch were very warm and were starting to melt since I respliced and taped them up the other day. When I disconnected those wires from the brake light switch the interior lights come on as bright as they should when I turn the dimmer switch on, however they still don't come on when I open the doors. I'm assuming that there must be a short in one or both of these wires, or could this brake light switch that I recently replaced be bad. I'm getting closer to solving this problem, but not quite there yet. Any suggestions??:confused

It may be the delay switch as to the interior lights not coming on. This switch is taped to the fuse box harness under the hush pad on the pass. side. If I were you I would look at Geeky bills site and look up the wires and see if you can find a common denominator.

http://misterbill.homeip.net/vette/wiring/

 

[C4ME]

It may be the delay switch as to the interior lights not coming on. This switch is taped to the fuse box harness under the hush pad on the pass. side. If I were you I would look at Geeky bills site and look up the wires and see if you can find a common denominator.

http://misterbill.homeip.net/vette/wiring/

Is this site the 1984 harness as I am struggling with a short in my interior lights as they are all on constantly.

Joe

 

[JonM]

Is this site the 1984 harness as I am struggling with a short in my interior lights as they are all on constantly.

Joe

86 has the same module

 

[Redmanf1]

Some things to check. Check all under hood,glove box and interior bulbs that twist to make sure they are not bad. Also make sure that the twist bulbs are the same either one or two contact. I know this seems simple but I cannot tell you haw many twin contact's I have found with a single contact bulb. It will cause a short. Check the door switches, they are easy to take out. The reason you see a spark when you turn the switch is because you have a short. The relay could do this and when you turn the switch it is back feeding. Have you checked your fuse? You can check some of the things above but then you will need a test light and a meter.