Engine compartment lights
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 129
From: Plainfield IN
Engine compartment lights
This "new to me" '94 engine compartment lights don't work - after a little investigating found both are unplugged!! Now this raises a question since this car was well maintained - does these things have a habit of shorting out and draining the battery? My old '78 did and I left it unplugged.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 114
Likes: 6
From: Castle Rock Colorado
Most owners unplug them to keep from running battery down when hood is open. I put a switch on them, so when I need them, it's a flick of a switch. Also changed them to led..my 2 cents...
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Most of the Corvette accessory catalogs have a switch assembly that is plug and play.
The OEM wiring has a fuse in a holder near a round vacuum reservoir on the driver's side in the headlamp well. You can removes this fuse to keep the lights from coming on.
Each light has a mercury switch in the lamp housing. As the hood opens (or closes) the mercury moves to close or open the contacts. It's too bad that GM didn't use a timer on the underhood lights like they used on the C5 and C6.
The OEM wiring has a fuse in a holder near a round vacuum reservoir on the driver's side in the headlamp well. You can removes this fuse to keep the lights from coming on.
Each light has a mercury switch in the lamp housing. As the hood opens (or closes) the mercury moves to close or open the contacts. It's too bad that GM didn't use a timer on the underhood lights like they used on the C5 and C6.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 53,567
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From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I disconnected mine years ago when showing my car at shows.
That's probably what he did with his car to save battery.
That's probably what he did with his car to save battery.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 53,950
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
pulling the fuse takes seconds compared to unplugging them. seems too much work to put in a switch
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
I eliminated those; I ripped that wiring harness away, and now it looks clean in there. Those lights are worthless anyway.
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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
Left front wheel well. You can see the fuse holder next to the left front side marker harness.
Yeah, they don't put out much light. I just pulled the fuse.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Lecanto Florida
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 127
From: Ashland Alabama
If you use good led's the underhood lights are killer on C4's.
This shows step by step repairing and upgrading to the led's.
http://crowz.narmir.com/vehicles/198...light-upgrade/
These pictures are at night with only the underhood lights lighting things up.
This shows step by step repairing and upgrading to the led's.
http://crowz.narmir.com/vehicles/198...light-upgrade/
These pictures are at night with only the underhood lights lighting things up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 127
From: Ashland Alabama
Also this is after removing the horrible shedding car cover I use and not washing the car on the dust stuff on the glass and paint.
As for the underhood part. I live on a dirt road. Its a deal with it sorta thing.
As for the underhood part. I live on a dirt road. Its a deal with it sorta thing.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
I installed switches in mine fourteen years ago. Seemed like a good idea.
Thing is, I turned them off when I installed the switches and never have turned them back on. Ever.
Pull the fuse.
Thing is, I turned them off when I installed the switches and never have turned them back on. Ever.
Pull the fuse.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,060
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
Actually, always wondered what the purpose of these hood lights were...to let you see that you're car is not running at night?!?!? 
I guess maybe a throwback for the old days when there used to be lights under hoods.
I guess maybe a throwback for the old days when there used to be lights under hoods.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 128
Likes: 26
I converted to leds and love mine. A little luxury (and they dont't even weight much 
.
Those puddle lights are great! I immediately did an ebay search but didn't find them. Here in northern Europe they are somewhat useful too.
.Those puddle lights are great! I immediately did an ebay search but didn't find them. Here in northern Europe they are somewhat useful too.