Courtesy Lights
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: Henrico VA
Courtesy Lights
My courtesy lights went out. They no longer work when either door is opened, nor can I turn them on manually. Are they in series or parallel for a '69? Is it likely a bulb or something more series?
Thanks, Adam
Thanks, Adam
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 457
Likes: 2
From: Tucson Arizona
Well...I had to replace the headlamp switch in my 71 to get the courtesy lamps to work. They actually derive power from the headlight switch, and the switch was bad. If you have power anywhere along the circuit, then the swich is not the problem, though.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
Play around with the door jam switches. When I got my vette only the drivers courtesy light came on. I jiggled the pass side light bulb and then it came on. Pass door jam switch didn't work untill I twisted it slightly so now that side works as well. The dome light behind the seats didn't come on so I pulled the lens cover off figuring the bulb was blown and when I twisted it, it also came on. So now all int. lights come on when either door is opened. Remember these are old and sometimes corroded switches and just need a little coaxing.
Good luck.
Glenn
Good luck.
Glenn
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: Henrico VA
Play around with the door jam switches. When I got my vette only the drivers courtesy light came on. I jiggled the pass side light bulb and then it came on. Pass door jam switch didn't work untill I twisted it slightly so now that side works as well. The dome light behind the seats didn't come on so I pulled the lens cover off figuring the bulb was blown and when I twisted it, it also came on. So now all int. lights come on when either door is opened. Remember these are old and sometimes corroded switches and just need a little coaxing.
Good luck.
Glenn
Good luck.
Glenn
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Easton PA
on my 79 there is a 30 sec. delay for courtesy lights shuting off after you shut the door. it is a orange box mounted to firewall behind glove box, not sure if 69 had it but they go bad, also jam switches
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: Henrico VA
It's funny; it was a fuse, but the correct 25A one kept blowing. I have a 30A fuse in there and it works perfectly... My courtesy lights, clock, middle radio, and DC outlet all work perfectly now. The horn buzzer no longer works when the door is open. It was annoying, but I kind of miss it.
CF JASOC Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,040
Likes: 34
From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Careful using the wrong amp fuse. My '71 uses a 20A for the Clock,Courtesy Lamps, Lighter. Feel the wires that go to the door switches and make sure they are not getting hot. My fuse blew unexpectedly, and it ended up being a bad ground on the door pillar for the switch on the driver side. It may be trying to tell you something. Just a thought.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,009
Likes: 11
From: Philadelphia, sub burbs Wynnewood, PA
It's funny; it was a fuse, but the correct 25A one kept blowing. I have a 30A fuse in there and it works perfectly... My courtesy lights, clock, middle radio, and DC outlet all work perfectly now. The horn buzzer no longer works when the door is open. It was annoying, but I kind of miss it.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: Henrico VA
Careful using the wrong amp fuse. My '71 uses a 20A for the Clock,Courtesy Lamps, Lighter. Feel the wires that go to the door switches and make sure they are not getting hot. My fuse blew unexpectedly, and it ended up being a bad ground on the door pillar for the switch on the driver side. It may be trying to tell you something. Just a thought.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
CTSY circuit only has 3 or 4 light bulbs and a timer and buzzer on it unless you have something plugged into the lighter. No way it should blow a 20 amp breaker unless something is wrong. Better to find it than have a fire
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: Henrico VA
It's funny once I've had something working and now it doesn't work...even if it was the most annoying feature on the car...but there are some close second placers...
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia
Putting a bigger fuse in because the correct one keeps blowing is unprofessional and dangerous. Remember, you have 38 year old wiring...One flash and you're ash!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
the circuit was fused at 25 amps and that should have been 125% max rated load. That means that the circuit should have no more than 20 amps with everything on. I would stick an amp meter in the fuse line and start unplugging stuff until I found where the extra current is going. Generally speaking, anything that is supposed to buzz or a timer is suspect, light bulbs usually don't cause a short like that.
