1976 Door Ajar / Headlight Indicators Not Working
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 479
Likes: 93
From: Tennessee
1976 Door Ajar / Headlight Indicators Not Working
I am like everyone else and spending my time at home when not at my job during these troubled times. I am also spending a lot of my social distancing time toward my 76 Vette and tackling the issues I have been putting off. Since I've owned the car in 2014 the door ajar/headlight indicator lights have not worked. The fasten seat belts indicator opposite of the door ajar/headlight work fine. I would like to check the bulbs and ground for these indicators but not sure about how to get to them. I will avoid pulling the gauge console out if possible. Please respond if you have experience with these indicators. Thanks! Greg
Last edited by ykf7b0; Apr 10, 2020 at 09:10 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
I pulled my 78 center gauge console out and basically your 76 is quite similar. It could be as simple as the lamps that insert into the back circuit board, the circuit board itself (but they are pretty resilient) or more complicated with wiring that leads to the door jamb switches. Once you loosen the cluster bezel from the dash panel, a single plug removes the cluster so you can inspect it. That will help you see what you're working with and then tracking the problem from there.
Hope this helps to get you started!
Hope this helps to get you started!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 479
Likes: 93
From: Tennessee
Update; I removed the right side lower dash pad to get to the door ajar/headlight indicator light bulbs. Both 1895 bulbs are bad and I will be picking up a couple today. Removal of the right side lower dash pad seemed to be the easier way to get to those two bulbs.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 479
Likes: 93
From: Tennessee
Ok, both indicator lights are burning and door ajar goes off when doors are closed or ignition is off. The headlight indicator is on when headlights are on and stay on. I was thinking they should fade off like the Fasten Seat Belts indicator on the opposite side of the gauge panel. Is the headlight indicator supposed to go off after the engine is started or should it be on as long as the headlights are on? Again, this is a 1976. Thanks! Greg
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 479
Likes: 93
From: Tennessee
I am going to answer my own question, only after much research, for those who are following this thread. The headlight indicator is only supposed to be on when the flip up headlights are on their way up after pulling the dash mounted headlight switch. My indicator bulb was staying illuminated because I had grounded it out thinking I had a grounding issue when in fact the issue was both the switches on each of the flip up headlight mechanism's were broken and busted. I went back into the dash and put the ground the way I found it initially and verified I had current to both wiring plugs for the flip up headlight switches. The switches that are mounted onto the flip up headlight mechanism's cancel the indicator light on the center dash when the headlights are completely up. I am going to Zip Corvette and order those two switches and when installed everything will be working as GM intended.
Last edited by ykf7b0; Apr 14, 2020 at 08:19 PM.
