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A lot of you are having the same problems that I am, the delay does not work! I was told to pop dash top, find delay switch and cut 2 white and jump them to make the interior lamps work like a regular car. I don't want to go through pulling the dash top and other parts. I was looking at the factory 1977 wiring book. It seems like I can just cut a white wire on each door pin, then splice a wire from one door pin switch to the other behind the gauge panel. That bypasses the delay and gets you & me straight on and off interior lamps.
Has anyone here done that?
I remember having this same car new, always waiting for the delay to shut the interior lamps so I wouldn't worry about a dead battery. To me, it was always an issue. Please let me know.
Thanks
Jax
1977 L-82
I thank you all, but I knew how to do it the way of removing top. My dash top is older but like new clean with no cracks or squeaks coming out of it. All I was asking was the 2 white wires you jumped above the tach/speedo on the timer switch are from the right & left door pin switches? For me it would be easier to take off one white wire from each door pin and run a new wire across the under dash and connect where I disconnected the white wires at the pins. Just curious before I did it, if it would do the same as disconnecting the switch. My car has the timer.
Thanks
Jax
Last edited by xkeots; 07-09-2016 at 12:05 PM.
Reason: Better explanation
The orange delay box is usually behind the glove box, it is very easy to access and you can jumper the two white wires right there, or you can buy a new delay box.
If your 77 came equipped with the ZX2 Convenience Group it then had the delay of the interior lights, this was an option. If equipped, there is no reason to cut any wiring to bypass the timer. On the 1977, again, if equipped, the timer is located above the speedometer under the dash pad. Knowing my car was equipped with the ZX2 option and the interior lights operating like a non ZX2 option car I found this. The timer relay (silver unit to the right) was completely disconnected and a jumper installed in the plug. This is how you bypass the delay timer.
On the 1977, again, if equipped, the timer is located above the speedometer under the dash pad. Knowing my car was equipped with the ZX2 option and the interior lights operating like a non ZX2 option car I found this. The timer relay (silver unit to the right) was completely disconnected and a jumper installed in the plug. This is how you bypass the delay timer.
joe
Just for clarfication, 1977 ZX2s, the timer delay relay is above the speedometer under the dash versus under dash on the passenger side. Peterbuilt above notes it's behind the glove box...but that's 1978.
On the 1977 yes under the dash above speedometer. The timer delay looks identical to a heavy duty flasher relay. Unlike the 1978 that is a electronic timer relay , the 1977 is a totally mechanical electric switch. Internally, when a door opens completing the circuit a heater spring inside the relay heats up and expands keeping the circuit closed. After a door closes the circuit then opens and the spring in the relay slowly cools and contacts inside the delay timer then open and the interior lights turn off.
Not related to the interior lights but part of the ZX2 option, there is a lamp on the inside of the rear bumper shining on the spare tire tub assembly. When the headlight switch is pulled to the parking lamp (or first position) a lamp will shine giving you the "convenience" of light pulling your spare tire out at night. haha, true.
The orange delay box is usually behind the glove box, it is very easy to access and you can jumper the two white wires right there, or you can buy a new delay box.
On 79 and later. No glove box on 77. The interior lamps fader is between tach and speedo under upper dash top. I am trying to avoid possibly cracking dash top.
Jax
Here it is, it's taped to the harness between the speedo and tach. It can be accessed by lowering the steering column and then partly remove the left lower dash pad. The white wires plug together when it's removed.
This one is good if someone is looking.
Here it is, it's taped to the harness between the speedo and tach. It can be accessed by lowering the steering column and then partly remove the left lower dash pad. The whit sires plug together when it's removed.
The timer on the 77 was like a jumper... If you didn't have one the two connectors just plugged together in the dash main. If you did have one you just jumper those two connectors with the timer.
The timer on the 77 was like a jumper... If you didn't have one the two connectors just plugged together in the dash main. If you did have one you just jumper those two connectors with the timer.
Is there any way to jump the 3 wire drivers door switch and make it a 2 wire? Lots more solid 2 wire door jamb switches. I have gone through 4 of the 3 wire door jamb pin switches. They are crap.
Thanks
Jax
77 L-8/
[QUOTE=xkeots;1592614946]Is there any way to jump the 3 wire drivers door switch and make it a 2 wire? Lots more solid 2 wire door jamb switches. I have gone through 4 of the 3 wire door jamb pin switches. They are crap.
Thanks
Jax
77 L-82
The timer on the 77 was like a jumper... If you didn't have one the two connectors just plugged together in the dash main. If you did have one you just jumper those two connectors with the timer.
Ok, I did that jumper wire, ripped my arms up and I now have interior lamps like a normal car but now my dash lamps went out. Could it be from that jumper wire or could I have popped off the instrument wire from headlamp switch?
Thanks
Jax
77 C3
If your 77 came equipped with the ZX2 Convenience Group it then had the delay of the interior lights, this was an option. If equipped, there is no reason to cut any wiring to bypass the timer. On the 1977, again, if equipped, the timer is located above the speedometer under the dash pad. Knowing my car was equipped with the ZX2 option and the interior lights operating like a non ZX2 option car I found this. The timer relay (silver unit to the right) was completely disconnected and a jumper installed in the plug. This is how you bypass the delay timer.
is all you do unplug and bridge it or do you have to do something with the relay and the wire attached to it?
You could bridge the two white wires as shown in the pic above and it will work like a normal, non-delay car.
You could also just remove the add on harness and plug the two white wires together above the speedo. That’s how the car was set up without the delay option. I don’t like unused open plugs behind the dash, so that’s what I did.
You could bridge the two white wires as shown in the pic above and it will work like a normal, non-delay car.
You could also just remove the add on harness and plug the two white wires together above the speedo. That’s how the car was set up without the delay option. I don’t like unused open plugs behind the dash, so that’s what I did.
You can leave it or remove it's your call.
Personally I would remove that complete harness if it's not going to be used.
Fewer unused dead end connectors is a good thing.
You can leave it or remove it's your call.
Personally I would remove that complete harness if it's not going to be used.
Fewer unused dead end connectors is a good thing.
do you know where the orange wire runs to from the harness? also what gauge wire did you use to jump it
The orange wire runs to the fuse block. It plugs into one of the open sockets there. Those are designed to allow accessories (like this delay, cruise, etc) to plug in and get power without splicing.
Just unplug it, and then remove the ground lead. Then the harness should just come right out.
The orange wire runs to the fuse block. It plugs into one of the open sockets there. Those are designed to allow accessories (like this delay, cruise, etc) to plug in and get power without splicing.
Just unplug it, and then remove the ground lead. Then the harness should just come right out.
ok thank you. what gauge wire did you use as a jumper?
ok thank you. what gauge wire did you use as a jumper?
The jumper wire on my photo was already there.
You don't need a jumper. Disconnect the 2 white wire connectors from the timer relay and plug the 2 main dash wire connectors together. You now have the courtesy lights wired like the factory did it without the delay timer.
07-09-2016, 12:26 AM
1977 C3 interior lamps delay thought
The timer on the 77 was like a jumper... If you didn't have one the two connectors just plugged together in the dash main. If you did have one you just jumper those two connectors with the timer. 
