problem with courtesy lights
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From: Carbon Indiana
problem with courtesy lights
It all started with a dead battery. I charged the battery and the courtesy lights went off as normal. However, about an hour later I noticed the courtesy lights were on again. I opened and closed the door and after a short period of time the lights went out. The next day the battery is flat again.
Does this sound like a defective courtesy light timer? The car sits in the garage and was not moved or even touched in between times.
I this sounds like the timer, where is the darn thing located and how big of a job is it to change.
If not the timer, any other suggestions?
Thanks for the help.
Rex
Oh yeah, it's an '85 coupe
Does this sound like a defective courtesy light timer? The car sits in the garage and was not moved or even touched in between times.
I this sounds like the timer, where is the darn thing located and how big of a job is it to change.
If not the timer, any other suggestions?
Thanks for the help.
Rex
Oh yeah, it's an '85 coupe
Last edited by rxbdwl; Aug 31, 2005 at 09:00 PM. Reason: adding year
Team Owner
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Sure you don't have one of those stupid door lights staying on?
If the courtesy lights don't go out after 20 seconds, it's maybe a timer, but more likely a failing door switch. I think you can check that by pushing it in and checking the "security" light. If either door switch is broken, your alarm won't arm.
If the courtesy lights don't go out after 20 seconds, it's maybe a timer, but more likely a failing door switch. I think you can check that by pushing it in and checking the "security" light. If either door switch is broken, your alarm won't arm.
Team Owner
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
It's likely to be a door switch that is just making contact when you close the door and later opens to bring on the lights again.
To check this out, set the security alarm before closing the door and listen for the alarm.
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From: Carbon Indiana
Well, apparently it is not the switches. The alarm will set and does work. I had it activated and when the lights went off after 20 seconds, I just stood ther about 30 seconds more and they came back on with no alarm. Any other suggestions? If not, I still need to know where that timer is located. Thanks.
Rex
Rex
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From: Germantown OH
The timer on my '84 was located above passenger side knee panel. It is a small box taped to the bundle coming from the fuse panel. You have to lay on your back upside down to see it. They don't make them anymore from what I understand, so I found a good aftermarket one at http://www.webelectricproducts.com/ or you can just bypass it altogether. Good luck.
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From: Carbon Indiana
Thanks for the info. I wondered if I couldn't just eleminate the thing at least to make sure that is the problem. By the way, were you having a similar or different problem with the '84?
Thanks.
Rex
Thanks.
Rex
Instructor
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From: Germantown OH
My problem was exactly as you described. You can bypass the timer by unplugging it and bend a small piece of wire and put one end in hole labeled A and the other end in D. The letters are stamped on the female plug. This should connect all of the white wires. Now you will have no delay but the lights will work with the door switches and the theft deterrent system will still work. I hope this helps. 
I almost forgot to suggest that you tape the wire in place.
I almost forgot to suggest that you tape the wire in place.
Last edited by 84c4; Sep 4, 2005 at 11:56 PM. Reason: added advice
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From: Carbon Indiana
84c4
Thanks again. That's the kind of specific info I needed. Hopefully the '84 and '85 are the same. I've had so little free time here lately to check it out and that will narrow the search. Mid America Funfest is rapidly approaching and I'd hate to miss it after going for several years.
Thanks again. That's the kind of specific info I needed. Hopefully the '84 and '85 are the same. I've had so little free time here lately to check it out and that will narrow the search. Mid America Funfest is rapidly approaching and I'd hate to miss it after going for several years.
Team Owner
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Surely sounds like the timer. Do a search on it as there was some progress on finding replacement parts and other alternatives to repair.
Heres the info from my 86 manual. My timer is located in a different location than the 84.
http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Interior%20Lights.pdf
Heres the info from my 86 manual. My timer is located in a different location than the 84.
http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Interior%20Lights.pdf
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From: Carbon Indiana
I really appreciate all the info on the 84 and 86 timer. Problem is, apparently GM likes to mix things up. I found nothing matching the description of the timer under the right knee panel, the center info panel or, just for good measure, the left side knee panel.
Any body out there know where this thing is on an 85?
Any hel[p would be appreciated as my time is running out to make Funfest.
Thanks
Rex
Any body out there know where this thing is on an 85?
Any hel[p would be appreciated as my time is running out to make Funfest.
Thanks
Rex
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From: Carbon Indiana
Thanks. I don't know how I missed it. Do you access it from underneath or will I need to remove the center section of the dash again. I'm assuming it is a box taped to the wiring harness as described in a previous answer. If that's not the case on the 85, what does it look like?
Thanks
Rex
Thanks
Rex
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From: Carbon Indiana
Finally...found
Thanks for all the help on this. It was near the fuse panel but couldn't be seen easily as it is hidden behind the ecm. At least I'm assumong I found the timer. It is taped to the wiring harnes and has two white wires an three or four pink wires leading to it. I noticed the knee panel lights run off a white and pink wire so I'm pretty sure that's it. Now I have to figure how to get those two huge plugs on the ecm to release so I can pull it out to gain access.
Now if my 60 year old bones can stand another seige of laying on my back, head in footwell and feet over the seat back I might just get this little problem solved.
Thanks again.
Rex
Now if my 60 year old bones can stand another seige of laying on my back, head in footwell and feet over the seat back I might just get this little problem solved.
Thanks again.
Rex
