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1979 Interior/dome light problem

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Old Jul 23, 2007 | 11:38 PM
  #1  
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From: Shelbina Missouri
Default 1979 Interior/dome light problem

I noticed my courtesy lights were not working, I noticed the fuse was not in the fuse box so I put it in and the lights lit up, I thought I had a streak of good luck. Not so much.

The lights will not turn off, that is untill I turn the key to the on position, but when I pull the key out the lights all come back on.

I wiggled both switches in the door jambs and the lights didn't even flicker.

Are there any common problems that would cause this condition? I have never been very good with dome light problems.
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Old Jul 23, 2007 | 11:46 PM
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Default dome light

If your 79 is like my 80 there is timer to turn off the domes lights about 30 seconds after the door is hut or when the key is turned on. I think its over by the passenger kick panel. This may be your problem.
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Old Jul 24, 2007 | 12:27 AM
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I will check the timer tomorrow night. I shut the doors for about 5 minutes and it didn't make a difference.

Randy
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Old Jul 24, 2007 | 09:05 AM
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Originally Posted by ss4ever
I will check the timer tomorrow night. I shut the doors for about 5 minutes and it didn't make a difference.

Randy
on my 78 the timer is on the left side just above the kick panel
and BRIGHT orange so you cant miss it.

more than likely yours is bad and thats why the fuse was pulled
so as not to kill the battery.
if you do a search on the forum you should be able to find a photo
with some information on how to bypass it until you get a replacement.

i would try and find it for you but im back on dial up speed temporarily
and it is S L O W
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Old Jul 24, 2007 | 01:02 PM
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Default

It is the orange timer. These usually go bad with when they get old. You can access it easily by removing the glove box liner. Unplug the timer and toss it. Then jumper the two white wires together. The system will work like a regular car without the delay.
Best,
Greg
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Old Jul 24, 2007 | 01:38 PM
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Thanks guys, I will deffinatly do that, don't need the timer anyhow IMO.

Randy
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Old Jul 24, 2007 | 03:50 PM
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On my 78 I was able to pull the orange timer box from over the fuse box. Inside there is a circuit board with a large capacitor that went bad. Bought a simlar capacitor from radio shack and replaced the bad one, and now it works fine.
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Old Jul 24, 2007 | 08:35 PM
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From: Shelbina Missouri
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Well I tied the wires together and the lights work great, thanks a lot guys. I knew joining this board was a good idea, I should have joined a few years ago

Now to tear into my column and find out why my horn stays on all the time now
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Old Jul 24, 2007 | 08:51 PM
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This one is easy,
sounds like your need one of these.
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050G
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Old Jul 24, 2007 | 08:57 PM
  #10  
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From: Shelbina Missouri
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Hey there, that piece looks like the piece that I broke when I was taking the column apart to replace the turn signal lever.

Thanks a bunch!
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Old Nov 2, 2007 | 10:01 PM
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I did the same, disconnecting the timer and connecting the two white wires, but the lights don't go off, door open or just... Whats the deal with that? I have the switch on the passenger side unplugged, but that wouldnt make a difference would it? that would just act as if the passenger side was closed.
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