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My courtesy lights go on when I turn the headlight switch to the left, but do not come on when the doors open.
Hopefully a minor issue. Any suggestions on where to start looking for a resolution?
Yep mine were all siezed up too.
Replacement was easy, and I got to see the engine mount area at the same time. Spent some time cleaning that up "While I was there"
At the risk of sounding like a fool
I went searching for switches, I found door jamb switches and courtesy light switches. They look the same.
I assume the courtesy light switch is the at the rear of the door? If so, what does the door jamb switch control?
I found two inoperable switches. The pin/plunger in my passenger side dor jamb switch, just pulls out of the switch.
And the rear driver's side switch is stuck "pushed" in.
Remove it from the hinge post and then compare it to any photos of the switch that they show where you plan on buying the switch from
I can say that the terminal ends of the wires on some of these switches are really unique and you may find that you may need to cut the plastic off to get them out or buy the correct terminal ends and crimp them onto your wire.
OR...do like I do in many cases and switch to the design of the switch that uses a different type of terminal end that attaches to it.
I got my passenger side door jamb switch to work. Now my courtesy lights come on when I open that door.
My driver's switch does not turn my courtesy lights on, but it does activate the ignition buzzer (which buzzes even without the key inserted, if I jiggle the ignition it will go off).
So, it is strange to me that the driver's door jamb switch is working for the buzzer and not the lights, Also, should the ignition buzzer be activated by the passenger side switch as well?
Last edited by fastimes; Nov 12, 2018 at 07:39 AM.
Yep mine were all siezed up too.
Replacement was easy, and I got to see the engine mount area at the same time. Spent some time cleaning that up "While I was there"
I'm surprised it didn't evolve into a body off restoration. The words "while I was there usually leads there".
I got my passenger side door jamb switch to work. Now my courtesy lights come on when I open that door.
My driver's switch does not turn my courtesy lights on, but it does activate the ignition buzzer (which buzzes even without the key inserted, if I jiggle the ignition it will go off). So, it is strange to me that the driver's door jamb switch is working for the buzzer and not the lights, Also, should the ignition buzzer be activated by the passenger side switch as well?
It is simple. The interior lights are not coming on when you open the drivers door. The wire for the interior lights that is attached to it is not making good contact.....but the wire for your key warning buzzer is grounding out as it is supposed to.
As for the key warning buzzer not working.when the right door is open, it is supposed to be that way. So...no.... the key warning buzzer should NOT work when the right door is open.
It is simple. The interior lights are not coming on when you open the drivers door. The wire for the interior lights that is attached to it is not making good contact.....but the wire for your key warning buzzer is grounding out as it is supposed to.
As for the key warning buzzer not working.when the right door is open, it is supposed to be that way. So...no.... the key warning buzzer should NOT work when the right door is open.
DUB
Thank you sir! Sounds like something I can handle! I appreciate your help.
Some of the designs GM used for these door jamb switches are really poor and in time they can fail. GM got smart an improved on them which is why I often times change them to the later design even though they are not correct for that specific Corvette year model.
It is oftentimes more important for something to work all the time for my customers than what it came with originally.....and if judging is not involved...my customers just want it to work all the time.
Some of the designs GM used for these door jamb switches are really poor and in time they can fail. GM got smart an improved on them which is why I often times change them to the later design even though they are not correct for that specific Corvette year model.
It is oftentimes more important for something to work all the time for my customers than what it came with originally.....and if judging is not involved...my customers just want it to work all the time.
DUB
Thanks DUB! I too am more interested in things working correctly. Mine will never be a show car.
I've already ordered the correct courtesy light switches, but if I can get the driver's side to operate the lights as well as the ignition buzzer, I'll hold off on replacing them for now.
Then I have to tackle the "door ajar" switches which don't work at all.
Thanks DUB! I too am more interested in things working correctly. Mine will never be a show car.
I've already ordered the correct courtesy light switches, but if I can get the driver's side to operate the lights as well as the ignition buzzer, I'll hold off on replacing them for now.
Then I have to tackle the "door ajar" switches which don't work at all.
Those switch wires are accessed thru the small panels in the rear wheel wells where the #3 body mounts live.
Those switch wires are accessed thru the small panels in the rear wheel wells where the #3 body mounts live.
Actually this is not true....they get un-threaded and pull out just like the door jamb switches by the hinges. No need in removing the plate for the #3 body mount area.
By removing the access plate all you can do is see the wires that go to the door ajar switches.....because you cannot see the actual switch and the connections. How know this is the metal plate that the switch threads into can often times fall out due to the rivets that hold it in fail and this plate can not be installed from the #3 body mount area w.here there is no way to do it.....so...there is no way to get to the backside of that switch. So it must be un-threaded and pulled out like I mentioned.
I got my courtesy lights working! Thank you DUB and the other members who gave me great advice.
I pulled the door jamb switch, cleaned the contacts with a needle file, and applied a dab of dielectric grease to the plunger and voila! Lights.
Feels good to solve a problem. Thank you again guys!
Courtesy lights
