My hood is up all the time. Mine stay unplugged 
Engine Compartment Lights
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 57
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From: Knoxville Maryland
Engine Compartment Lights
Question...'89 coupe with L98. Since I just picked up my Vette, the engine compartment lights were not working. Upon investigating the issue it was determined that they were not hooked. Now, not hooked up would lead me to believe that they stayed on at some point in time and ran the battery down. I re-hooked them back up and lowered the hood slowly. The RH light went out about half way down and LH light stayed on. I completely shut the hood and re-opened it slowly while looking underneath. Both light were off initially and the LH light cam on almost immediately with the RH light illuminating approximately half up. I realize that these light most likely operate on a mercury switch. Does anyone know where these switches are and why one would light entirely different then the other one? If these switches are within the light housing themselves, would it be possible that one is in reversed from the other causing it to switch earlier? This just does not seem right to me. Any suggestions????
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,875
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From: Olive Branch (Memphis suburb) MS
Cruise-In II Veteran
They have a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_switch in the light houseing. I installed a manual switch near the fuse holder infront of the left wheel well so if the hood is going to be up for a while I don't have to worry about draining the battery. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
They have a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_switch in the light houseing. I installed a manual switch near the fuse holder infront of the left wheel well so if the hood is going to be up for a while I don't have to worry about draining the battery.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,875
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From: Olive Branch (Memphis suburb) MS
Cruise-In II Veteran
Each underhood lamp assembly has it's own mercury switch built in, that's way they don't come on and go off exactly together. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,090
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From: Burleson Texas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,207
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From: Lino Lakes MN
The mercury switch is approx. a 1/2" long cylindrical metal object located either right above or below the bulb behind the clear lense cap. It is attached by the same kind of clips that hold the light bulbs in place.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 658
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From: Lubbock for now, headed for Oklahoma
They have a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_switch in the light houseing. I installed a manual switch near the fuse holder infront of the left wheel well so if the hood is going to be up for a while I don't have to worry about draining the battery.
good idea!
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
They have a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_switch in the light houseing. I installed a manual switch near the fuse holder infront of the left wheel well so if the hood is going to be up for a while I don't have to worry about draining the battery.
I did almost the same thing. I just drilled a hole just under the light and spliced into the wiring on each light. Got toggles at NAPA and weather boots also. Works good and looks good.
