Courtesy Light won't turn off
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Courtesy Light won't turn off
Hello,
I've searched previous posts and nothing seems to help. Came out of nowhere. I bought 2 new door switched- lights still stay on. This am I disconnected the door switches - lights stiill on. I disconnected the headlight pull switch thinking that was the problem- still stayed on. I took he courtesy light off the back wall under the deck- still on. Nothing else abnormal going on- headlights, tail lights fine etc. They only go off when I pull the fuse. Any ideas? thanks Paul in Ohio 1972 coupe 4 speed no courtesy light delay
I've searched previous posts and nothing seems to help. Came out of nowhere. I bought 2 new door switched- lights still stay on. This am I disconnected the door switches - lights stiill on. I disconnected the headlight pull switch thinking that was the problem- still stayed on. I took he courtesy light off the back wall under the deck- still on. Nothing else abnormal going on- headlights, tail lights fine etc. They only go off when I pull the fuse. Any ideas? thanks Paul in Ohio 1972 coupe 4 speed no courtesy light delay
Last edited by pauljalton; May 25, 2025 at 10:12 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Did the vendor specify the year those switches were designed to operate? In the 70s, GM was adding ground devices and changing the number of terminals.
Here's a page from the NCRS 1973-74 that explains some of this in the context of 1972 production. Hope this helps!
Here's a page from the NCRS 1973-74 that explains some of this in the context of 1972 production. Hope this helps!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,743
Likes: 1,385
pauljalton
What did you pull? What does this mean?
"I disconnected the headlight pull switch thinking that was the problem- still stayed on. I took he courtesy light off the back wall under the deck- still on."
I am not trying to offend you--- so this is just a question. Did you realize that turning the headlight **** will actuate and/or adjust dimness of the courtesy lamps? Did you turn the ****?
What did you pull? What does this mean?
"I disconnected the headlight pull switch thinking that was the problem- still stayed on. I took he courtesy light off the back wall under the deck- still on."
I am not trying to offend you--- so this is just a question. Did you realize that turning the headlight **** will actuate and/or adjust dimness of the courtesy lamps? Did you turn the ****?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 1,656
Likes: 383
From: Toronto, Ontario
pauljaltonDid you realize that turning the headlight **** will actuate and/or adjust dimness of the courtesy lamps? Did you turn the ****?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Just exercise the door switch with your finger. If it doesn't go out when you push it, either the switch is defective, the switch is wired improperly, or there is no chassis ground connected to the switch wire.
If it goes out when you push it, but doesn't when you close the door, you are missing the little cushion that the plunger is supposed to hit when the door closes...so the switch plunger is never moved far enough to actuate.
If it goes out when you push it, but doesn't when you close the door, you are missing the little cushion that the plunger is supposed to hit when the door closes...so the switch plunger is never moved far enough to actuate.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
No offense taken and I appreciate the efforts to help. I've owned this one for about 20 years- done most of the work myself. I restored the dash and interior long ago and I know my way around the car pretty good
Some Clarification:
Both door switches are new with the signal wire male connector- correct for 72. I took them both out, - making sure that the single wire is not grounded to the car. This would take any issue with the door switches out of play I believe
I disconnected the headlight switch briefly thinking that the rheostat? that you rotate to turn to dim the instrument lights and turn on the courtesy light is not the problem - thinking it was maybe stuck in the on position
I will try to trace and isolate the courtesy lights wiring thinking that maybe they are grounding out somewhere?
Some Clarification:
Both door switches are new with the signal wire male connector- correct for 72. I took them both out, - making sure that the single wire is not grounded to the car. This would take any issue with the door switches out of play I believe
I disconnected the headlight switch briefly thinking that the rheostat? that you rotate to turn to dim the instrument lights and turn on the courtesy light is not the problem - thinking it was maybe stuck in the on position
I will try to trace and isolate the courtesy lights wiring thinking that maybe they are grounding out somewhere?
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 703
Likes: 335
From: Aubrey TX
If you removed the door switches and the courtesy lights stay lit then you likely have a short to ground somewhere. Did you change any of the courtesy light sockets or any other work on the electrical system recently?
Years ago I had a similar problem and traced it back to a pinched wire under the passenger seat (old Mustang) that kept the seatbelt warning lit. Drove me nuts for weeks
Years ago I had a similar problem and traced it back to a pinched wire under the passenger seat (old Mustang) that kept the seatbelt warning lit. Drove me nuts for weeks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 724
From: Marietta GA
Remove / unscrew each of the u dr dash courtesy light bulb holders from the car (isolate them from any metal). I had bought new bulb holders and one was bad, so the bulb was always on, no matter if the door was closed. You just love the restoration parts, I ended up buying a new courtesy light for holder.
