Interior Lights
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 45
Likes: 4
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Interior Lights
I have a 72 Base Coupe. I have the center cluster removed. WIth the battery connected, the center console "Headlamp" bulb illuminates when the headlights are on, but the instrument backlights do not come on. Also, the courtesy lights are not working. Could it be because the ground is disconnected while the center cluster is removed?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 45
Likes: 4
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I am embarrassed to say, that (kind of) worked. I had taken out the headlight switch and did not realize that I had turned the **** all of the way clockwise when I put it back in.
...but some of the lights still do not work unless I touch them to a ground. Does the center console itself provide a ground for the lights? I would not be surprised if there is a bad ground, as these wires have not been touched since the factory, and my messing around may have broken some.
I also realized that my door plunger switches are bad. The courtesy lights do not come on when the door is opened, and the plunger is stuck.
...but some of the lights still do not work unless I touch them to a ground. Does the center console itself provide a ground for the lights? I would not be surprised if there is a bad ground, as these wires have not been touched since the factory, and my messing around may have broken some.
I also realized that my door plunger switches are bad. The courtesy lights do not come on when the door is opened, and the plunger is stuck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 2,124
From: Minnesota
No worries. 
I didn’t know about that feature until I read through the entire manual thinking my car was broken. Most of the speedo/tach bulbs ground through the housing as well as the center console gauges, except the ones that have two wires running to each bulb.
Since you have the dash apart it’s a good idea to clean all the grounds. These cars with their fiberglass bodies are more susceptible to electrical problems due to bad grounds.
I forget if it’s the door ajar light or the courtesy lights, but I believe the plungers are the same as the alarm switch under the hood. Since I never use my alarm anyways I just swapped out the plunger for the one that works.
I didn’t know about that feature until I read through the entire manual thinking my car was broken. Most of the speedo/tach bulbs ground through the housing as well as the center console gauges, except the ones that have two wires running to each bulb.Since you have the dash apart it’s a good idea to clean all the grounds. These cars with their fiberglass bodies are more susceptible to electrical problems due to bad grounds.
I forget if it’s the door ajar light or the courtesy lights, but I believe the plungers are the same as the alarm switch under the hood. Since I never use my alarm anyways I just swapped out the plunger for the one that works.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,423
Likes: 1,558
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
When you pull the headlight switch OUT, that bulb will light up for a few seconds until the headlights are fully UP, and then the bulb should go OUT.
There is a switch on the headlight assembly, and it may be out of adjustment.
See #8 on the AIM to locate the switch.
Never mind the arrow.
.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 45
Likes: 4
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I am testing the lights with the engine not running, so the headlights do not raise up. I imagine that is why the light stays on. If that is not the case, I will look at the adjustment you mentioned above. I will not know until I can fire the engine. Thanks for catching that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,423
Likes: 1,558
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
I am testing the lights with the engine not running, so the headlights do not raise up. I imagine that is why the light stays on. If that is not the case, I will look at the adjustment you mentioned above. I will not know until I can fire the engine. Thanks for catching that.
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