C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

81 Courtesy Light Timer

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 16, 2006 | 07:42 PM
  #1  
VetteTek4Fun's Avatar
VetteTek4Fun
Thread Starter
6th Gear
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default 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.
Reply
Old May 16, 2006 | 07:45 PM
  #2  
wombvette's Avatar
wombvette
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Default

You can remove the timer and connect the two white wires together to use it without the delay.
Reply
Old May 16, 2006 | 07:52 PM
  #3  
VetteTek4Fun's Avatar
VetteTek4Fun
Thread Starter
6th Gear
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default

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).
Reply
Old May 17, 2006 | 10:18 AM
  #4  
theoUK's Avatar
theoUK
Pro
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 601
Likes: 0
From: Nottingham
Default

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.
Reply
Old May 17, 2006 | 10:29 AM
  #5  
SIXFOOTER's Avatar
SIXFOOTER
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Default

Wow, those guys have a lot of good stuff on there
Reply
Old May 18, 2006 | 04:37 AM
  #6  
theoUK's Avatar
theoUK
Pro
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 601
Likes: 0
From: Nottingham
Default

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!
Reply
Old May 18, 2006 | 09:00 AM
  #7  
jdp6000's Avatar
jdp6000
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Default

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.
Reply
Old May 18, 2006 | 07:59 PM
  #8  
VetteTek4Fun's Avatar
VetteTek4Fun
Thread Starter
6th Gear
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default


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.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-9

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 19, 2006 | 05:02 AM
  #9  
theoUK's Avatar
theoUK
Pro
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 601
Likes: 0
From: Nottingham
Default

No probs, good luck.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 81 Courtesy Light Timer





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:53 AM.

story-0
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE