wiring question
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
wiring question
hello I'm working on a 69 it;s my first vett and there a lot to learn. Question # 1 when I open the doors there are two switches, one under the strike plate just above the door sill. the other is near the door hinge. I'm thinking one is for the light to come on whe you open the door. but the other one what it for?? question # 2 the light in the cargo area is that to light when the door opens? it has two wires running to it. Both wires are hot. I have no clue. I have never seen two hot wires run to a light before. Also what light are to come on when the doors are opened. none light when I open the doors. But if I turn on the interor light at the head light switch one light under the drivers side lights. I will be greatful for any help. thanks steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,406
Likes: 59
From: Emerald Isle NC
Back switches are for door ajar light and alarm, if equipped. Front for interior lights, all of which should light upon opening the doors.
At least that's the way it is on my '71
Carter
At least that's the way it is on my '71
Carter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Purchase the 69 assembly instruction manual (AIM). The AIM shows the correct location and wiring for all the courtesy lights, the door ajar switches, and the door jamb switches. If memory serves, there is a wiring diagram in the AIM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
If the courtesy lights work from the headlight switch but not when the door is open it sounds like an issue with the door jam switch. There is not a lot to them and it is easy enough to test. Just ground the white wire. The switch just completes the circuit to the frame (ground). I really do not understand why the white wires have current but once grounded they become the ground. Orange is always hot. Rodger explained it in another post but it sort of went over my head.
Last edited by Roco71; Feb 15, 2012 at 01:30 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,214
Likes: 4,301
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Steve,
69... NICE! Where are the pictures?!?
You've gotten good advice about buying the '69 Assembly Instruction Manual' !
You should also consider investing in the '69 GM Chassis Service Manual.
They're both available from the larger venders and are WELL WORTH their cost!
Regards,
Alan
69... NICE! Where are the pictures?!?
You've gotten good advice about buying the '69 Assembly Instruction Manual' !
You should also consider investing in the '69 GM Chassis Service Manual.
They're both available from the larger venders and are WELL WORTH their cost!
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
All lights/lamps require 2 conductors to cause them to light; you can't have current flow with just one. Most vehicles have metal bodies; and they choose to have the body/frame be connected to chassis/battery ground for convenience and eliminating the ground wiring. So, the lamp casings are screwed into something that electrically connects to the body/frame grounding.
But, the Corvette has a fiberglass body; and current doesn't flow too well in fiberglass (an insulator). So, the electrical items in a Corvette [almost] always have 2 wires going to them: one for power and one for ground.
But, the Corvette has a fiberglass body; and current doesn't flow too well in fiberglass (an insulator). So, the electrical items in a Corvette [almost] always have 2 wires going to them: one for power and one for ground.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 734
Likes: 0
From: Bryan Texas
If the courtesy lights work from the headlight switch but not when the door is open it sounds like an issue with the door jam switch. There is not a lot to them and it is easy enough to test. Just ground the white wire. The switch just completes the circuit to the frame (ground). I really do not understand why the white wires have current but once grounded they become the ground. Orange is always hot. Rodger explained it in another post but it sort of went over my head.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
There is a schematic in the AIM.. Both wires at your cargo (courtesy) lamp should not be hot... The orange wire should be hot, the white wire is the ground.
The center compartment lamp will have a orange wire with a black stripe on it and a black ground. The orange/blk wire plugs in to the red wire under the rear compartment and the black wire is the ground. The switch operates the lamp under it and is separate from the courtesy circuit.
The center compartment lamp will have a orange wire with a black stripe on it and a black ground. The orange/blk wire plugs in to the red wire under the rear compartment and the black wire is the ground. The switch operates the lamp under it and is separate from the courtesy circuit.
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Feb 16, 2012 at 08:04 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
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From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
as MYK7 stated you are seeing 12vdc on both wires because the Org. wire is 12dc,
that voltage, goes thru the bulb, and you are reading it on the other wire,
remove all the bulbs,and the 12dc will go away unless you have a short in the wiring.
that voltage, goes thru the bulb, and you are reading it on the other wire,
remove all the bulbs,and the 12dc will go away unless you have a short in the wiring.
