Under Hood Lights
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Under Hood Lights
I have been searching for a good hour and not having much luck,,I am trying to get the under hood lights to work on my 96, the bulbs look good and they are both connected on each side.. The connector that is on the drivers side under the hood is plugged in to what looks like a emty socket.. If i unplug it and test the connector it has power, The wire running to the connector has a little tab on it that says fuse. The socket that it plugs into is fastened to the side marker light housing , but that looks empty, it;s like it is plugging into nothing. If I test the light housing connectors there is no power there... Any info would be great, thanks
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Rolla Missouri
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St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
The lights have a type of mercury switch in them, so they come on when the hood is raised and turn off as it goes down.
Each light plugs into a connector, so just follow the wiring down from the light and you'll see where the plugs are. Most people unplug them, so they can leave the hood up at shows without the lights staying on.
Here is a picture of the connector on the passenger side. One on the drivers side is similar.
Also as you found, there is a fuse holder. I have removed that fuse on mine to keep the lights off. They really are not much good anyway. LOL
Here is a picture of the fuse holder.
Each light plugs into a connector, so just follow the wiring down from the light and you'll see where the plugs are. Most people unplug them, so they can leave the hood up at shows without the lights staying on.
Here is a picture of the connector on the passenger side. One on the drivers side is similar.
Also as you found, there is a fuse holder. I have removed that fuse on mine to keep the lights off. They really are not much good anyway. LOL
Here is a picture of the fuse holder.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
That part I circled in yellow on my 2nd pic above.
And there should be a fuse inside. If not, then that is probably why your under hood lights won't come on.
As I said, quite a few people remove that fuse in order to keep the lights from staying on.
The hood lights will remain on as long as the hood is raised. They are not "smart lights" that go out after awhile.
The fuse inside the holder looks similar to this:
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,771
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Ok, I don't know what to tell you then.
The fuse holder does open. I have a '96 also.
That cap on top flips open, and there should be a fuse inside.
If not, then all bets are off as to what someone might have done to it over the years.
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Drifting
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Last edited by Silver96ce; Nov 1, 2012 at 12:20 PM.
Thread Starter
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Thank you very much Silver 96 CE, I put a fuse into the connector and the lights came on.. i thought the connector was supposed to connect to a fuse that was inside the cover that has red fuse on the top of it and have been trying to get the top of it to open,,with no luck..
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
It's been so long since I had mine open I had forgotten how it worked.
Took some pics during lunch for you.
Edit: Looks like Silver96 beat me to it, and got you going.
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I checked to make sure that the lights go off and they do as soon as the hood starts down.. I will have to remember to take the fuse out if the hood is going to be up very long i'm sure they will run the battery down..
Thanks again..
Thanks again..
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 525
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From: Annapolis MD
Much brighter, and you can leave the hood open all day without running the battery down. I believe the bulbs are festoons.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
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From: Pennsylvania
I installed an in-line toggle switch right next to each light. They look like factory installed switchs. The stock light bulbs are not very bright or useful by any means. I like the idea of LEDs as previously mentioned. But really, when are you ever going to use these lights? Don't we all just use a drag light or the overhead lighting in the garage for repairs?
Burning Brakes
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From: Crystal Springs MS
Ask me how I know this....
