81 Courtesy Light Timer
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
81 Courtesy Light Timer
Does anyone have any experience with replacing the transistor in the Courtesy Light timer? I have a shorted transistor and it causes the lights to staty on (until I unplug the timer) and I hate to replace the whole assemble if I can buy the transistor. Yes, I am being cheap, but I still beleive it is better to fix something as opposed to replacing it.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I will probably do that until I can locate the transistor. It seems like it is a GM stamped part from RCA, but of course there is not a cross reference that I can find. Motorola does the same with parts they make for car companies (or did).
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 601
Likes: 0
From: Nottingham
For a start, have a look at http://iotech.no/corvette/index.htm This is a great site for things like this, and shows a repair of the module. I don't recall offhand what the actual numbers are on the transistors on this board, but from looking at the diagram I made for it there are three NPNs and one PNP. As for id'ing which one is which, the light itself is driven by one of the NPNs, the other two NPNs have their emitters connected to each other, and that leaves the PNP. Any small-signal gen purpose trans should do the trick I would have thought.
In the photos of that site I've linked, I think the big NPN is the one that drives the light. I think he gives a couple of part # recommendations there.
In the photos of that site I've linked, I think the big NPN is the one that drives the light. I think he gives a couple of part # recommendations there.
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 601
Likes: 0
From: Nottingham
It's a good one, isn't it!?
Found that site ages and ages ago, I think the guy used to frequent this board but I haven't seen any activity from him for a while. I like the fact he's actually trying to fix all these things rather than binning them and getting new ones!
Found that site ages and ages ago, I think the guy used to frequent this board but I haven't seen any activity from him for a while. I like the fact he's actually trying to fix all these things rather than binning them and getting new ones!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Originally Posted by VetteTek4Fun
Does anyone have any experience with replacing the transistor in the Courtesy Light timer? I have a shorted transistor and it causes the lights to staty on (until I unplug the timer) and I hate to replace the whole assemble if I can buy the transistor. Yes, I am being cheap, but I still beleive it is better to fix something as opposed to replacing it.
Did you mean transitor or resistor? If its the 3 legged type transistor you need to read the number off it. If its a resistor go to the link below...
Use this link to calculate the size and resistance http://www.mindhertz.com/Resistor.php
There should be 4 bands on the resistor. Hopefully you can make out the colors. A new resistor is about 5 cents. I check every module before relacing it and hope its only a blown resistor.
Jim
Last edited by jdp6000; May 18, 2006 at 09:04 AM.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Thanks a ton. They do have a great site.
Originally Posted by theoUK
For a start, have a look at http://iotech.no/corvette/index.htm This is a great site for things like this, and shows a repair of the module. I don't recall offhand what the actual numbers are on the transistors on this board, but from looking at the diagram I made for it there are three NPNs and one PNP. As for id'ing which one is which, the light itself is driven by one of the NPNs, the other two NPNs have their emitters connected to each other, and that leaves the PNP. Any small-signal gen purpose trans should do the trick I would have thought.
In the photos of that site I've linked, I think the big NPN is the one that drives the light. I think he gives a couple of part # recommendations there.
In the photos of that site I've linked, I think the big NPN is the one that drives the light. I think he gives a couple of part # recommendations there.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
