Vettesic

Was working on getting the fiber optic system in order. That went well however when I was dimming dash lights to see the optics glow I noticed that the courtesy interior lights are not coming on when headlight **** rotated counter clockwise. The switch is fairly new. Interior lights all work when either door is opened so I don’t think it’s a grounding issue. Any thoughts would help before I go through the hassle of removing and testing the switch.

0Willcox Corvette

The interior lamps pick up ground to turn on lamp when you rotate the the switch to the left. When this happens the rotating tab inside the switch hits the grounding tap on the switch completing the ground for the interior lamps. The picture below will explain in more detail...

So.. You might have a defective switch, you may have a loose or corroded terminal in headlamp switch connector. The best way to test this is to ground out the white wire at the connector and see if the lamps come on.

Vettesic

Thanks for the detailed reply. I will use it. Now for he fun part if getting to the switch. I found it easier to lower steering column to work on it.

0Willcox Corvette

Be careful pulling the column down and pulling the screws from the dash pad. The weight of the dash pad on the column can break the U collar over the column and you don't want that. If you are careful you can pull it off.


Willcox

Peterbuilt

Is part # 7 installed?

Vettesic

Actually when I insatalled the new switch bout year ago I don’t remember part # 7. I look for it. Manual page states it’s a strap.

theandies

Ground strap!
That is the ground path for the courtesy lights when turning them on from the headlight switch.
Notice the brass/copper looking metal strip in the switch picture I posted. When you rotate the headlight switch to turn on the courtesy lights the center brown plastic piece has a cam on it and it pushes the metal strip to come in contact with the silver outer housing of the switch. The housing gets it's ground from #7.

Vettesic

[QUOTE=theandies;1595868954]Ground strap!
That is the ground path for the courtesy lights when turning them on from the headlight switch.
Notice the brass/copper looking metal strip in the switch picture I posted. When you rotate the headlight switch to turn on the courtesy lights the center brown plastic piece has a cam on it and it pushes the metal strip to come in contact with the silver outer housing of the switch. The housing gets it's ground from #7./QUOTE]



Thanks and Understood. I haven got to removing switch yet... but switch has been working interior courtesy lights perfect up till yesterday. Switch new bout year ago. As soon as I get into it I will look for this strap.

Vettesic

Well I did a quick ground test from chassis to grounding the neck of the pull switch and courtesy lights came on when pull switch rotated. Thanks to all for pointing me in the correct direction. Over the weekend I’ll remove lower Dash a see what’s happening behind it.

0Willcox Corvette

Go read this.... it'll help you remove the pad.

http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/w...ad-removal.pdf

7T1vette

Rotate the headlamp switch dimmer control ALL THE WAY (I think to the right, but not positive); when it reaches the limit, turn it a bit harder to engage a switch that then turns on the interior lights.

Vettesic

Problem Solved....headlight switch had lost ground with the strap. Wirewheeled strap and tightened switch and now courtesy lights work perfect. Thanks to all for the help and pics! Hope this post may help others.