bucket

On my '69 vette, the instrument light, associated with the headlight-open switches, comes on when I turn my headlights on and the headlight doors open. However, once the doors are open completely, the light does not go off. One of the switches was broken, and I replaced it. How should I troubleshoot the instrument light staying on?

'75

Are both switches adjusted correctly and both lights openning all the way?

DARROW

If your warning lights is staying on the switches are not shutting it off.

bucket

Well, the switches appear to be adjusted correctly, and the doors appear to be opening all the way. But I'm not sure how the switches work. And I'm not absolutely sure good contact is being made.

However, looking at the switches, it appears that the center button of each switch is depressed as a door opens. And I assume that if both switches are depressed correctly, the light will turn off.

If this is correct, is there a way that I can manually test the switches by using something like a screw to manually set the switches to cause the light to turn off, assuming everything is working correctly?

chadronvette

It sounds like you have a defective switch...If you remove the switches so you can push the buttons manually, plug one in, turn on the head lights and then press the switch, the light on the dash should go out. do each switch by itself and you will be able to find the defective one. The switch opens the contact when depressed. If the switch is removed, the contact is open. Hope this makes sense, typing in a hurry here.

bucket

Well, I did a little testing, based on what you told me. I unplugged the passenger side switch, and left the driver side switch in. The result is this: After turning on the headlights, opening the headlight doors, the alarm light went off. Therefore, although the passenger side switch appears to be making contact, I don't think it is.

I more closely inspected the contact points, and I'm now pretty sure that the contact between and switch and the little "push piece" is not what it appeared to be.

The passenger side headlight door appears to be completely open. Is there a way to adjust the switch position or something, so that the switch will make better contact with the little "push piece"?

By the way, thanks for the help.

chadronvette

sorry, you got me there. I don't know of any adjustment for the switch itself. Sounds like the light is not opening completely. The contact point is pretty much set by the part that kind of "locks" the headlight open. Maybe the limit adjustment is off a little?

bucket

That sounds reasonable. How do I make a "limit adjustment"?

chadronvette

On the outboard side of each of the light assemblies is an "arm" that extends down to the frame of the light assembly. if you shine a light up in there and push the lights up gently you will see it move. There is an adjusting screw on the end of that arm that sets the limit of the headlight. That arm that the switch goes into should bottom out and if it isn't, that screw should be the only thing that stops it...or maybe something is in the works and binding up...a wire or something?

Hope this helps...sorry I don't have a diagram.

LT-1 kid

also if the springs are wore out the headlights might not fully snap open, all you need is one side pluged in for the interior light to go off when the lights go up, good luck