Another courtesy light question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 575
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From: Ventura California
Another courtesy light question
I have an 88 convertible with a courtesy light problem. They don't work. I tried both doors, and also turned the light switch to the map light position, but nothing. Can't imagine all the bulbs are bad, so wondering what would be the suggested place to look. Fuses are ok. Even the little map lights in the rear view mirror win't come on. If I turn the lights on, the small light in the rear view does light up, but not the map lights. Any clue where to start?? Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 68
From: Providence RI
This may be far fetched...and I have a later year car...but first I would verify that the blubs are indeed good. Its a 20+ year old car and you never know.
Arent the courtesy lights hooked into a timer? I know these timers go bad and there are not replacements available. Maybe a previous owner discennected them there incase they were not shutting off like they should have?
I know on my 91 that there is an accessory fuse panel under the passenger side kick panel. I do not know if the 88 has this too, but there may be a fuse for them up in there. Its worth a look in your FSM.
Mike
Arent the courtesy lights hooked into a timer? I know these timers go bad and there are not replacements available. Maybe a previous owner discennected them there incase they were not shutting off like they should have?
I know on my 91 that there is an accessory fuse panel under the passenger side kick panel. I do not know if the 88 has this too, but there may be a fuse for them up in there. Its worth a look in your FSM.
Mike
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
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From: Jacksonville FL
Courtesy Delay Timer modules and circuit boards as well as an eliminator are available from Mamo altho they list it as "temporary shortage" Link to the page here
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...urtesy%20timer
First get a DVM and check if there actually is 12v at the fuse panel. From there it gets more complicated. Do searches on "courtesy delay", "delay timer", etc. for a bunch of reading. Check the things mentioned and if you cant find the solution, post up more details.
Good luck!
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...urtesy%20timer
First get a DVM and check if there actually is 12v at the fuse panel. From there it gets more complicated. Do searches on "courtesy delay", "delay timer", etc. for a bunch of reading. Check the things mentioned and if you cant find the solution, post up more details.
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Ventura California
This might sound stupid, but how do you replace the bulbs in the map lights? The back of it seems to be solidly attached ot the panel. I am affraid to break the lens. How do you get to the bulbs????
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Jacksonville FL
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,293
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
As for your courtesy lights, did you test the ctsy/clk fuse with a meter ?
As mentioned the timer can cause the problem also. You can bypass the timer by joining all 3 white wires together, at timer.
Check these pages out, from my 86 FSM.
http://members.shaw.ca/dankai/Courte...20Location.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/dankai/Interior%20Lights.pdf
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,363
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From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
ctrain22,
Another thing to look at is the door switches. If they do not work or work intermittenly they can confuse the BCM and prevent it from sensing that it's time to turn on the interior lights.
So, does the alarm work correctly? Does the radio turn off when openning the door (after turning on/off the key and removing it)?
If not it could be the door switches -- they can fail electrically (don't close circuit when door is open) or mechanically (stick and don't pop out to close the circuit). good news if it is them, they can be replaced right through their hole without having to take the whole door apart.
Another thing to look at is the door switches. If they do not work or work intermittenly they can confuse the BCM and prevent it from sensing that it's time to turn on the interior lights.
So, does the alarm work correctly? Does the radio turn off when openning the door (after turning on/off the key and removing it)?
If not it could be the door switches -- they can fail electrically (don't close circuit when door is open) or mechanically (stick and don't pop out to close the circuit). good news if it is them, they can be replaced right through their hole without having to take the whole door apart.
Former Vendor
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
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Safety Car
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From: Jacksonville FL
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Ventura California
All great info. Thank you all. Well, I just decided to pry the map lights out of the panels. I was so affraid to break them. But lo and behold, they finally popped out. It turns out it was just the bulbs. All of them were out. Thank goodness the system is working fine now. Even the delay system. Boy do I feel stupid. 
But happy another item off the list. 
But happy another item off the list.
Thread Starter
Pro
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From: Ventura California
Well, thought had had them all. Ok.....all the 2 floorwell courtesy lights and the 2 cargo area lights work. But the map lights in the rear view mirror don't I replaced the bulbs, but nothing. The small light (not map light) in the mirror comes on when I turn on the lights, but the map lights will not go on. Any suggestions? When I pulled the driver side lamp out to change the bulb, there were two wires connected to the switch, and three terminals. The wires were connected to the two outer terminals, center terminal empty. Is that correct?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 41
From: Baltimore, MD USA
There's only two wires at the switch.
Black wire is ground which must be good because the bulb
that illuminates the console area is working.
The other wire is Pink/Black. It should have 12 volts
on it when the ignition switch is On/Run, Start or bulb test.
So the question is, are you doing the Map light test with the
ignition in On/Run, Start or bulb test?
Black wire is ground which must be good because the bulb
that illuminates the console area is working.
The other wire is Pink/Black. It should have 12 volts
on it when the ignition switch is On/Run, Start or bulb test.
So the question is, are you doing the Map light test with the
ignition in On/Run, Start or bulb test?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Ventura California
I have to check. I don't think I was checking with the key on. Also, I have my lighted vanity mirrors disconnected. Ordered new ones. Could there be a link between the vanity mirrors and the map lights?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Ventura California
Ok. Just check power with key on and yes we have it. But still no light. With the key on, there is power to the light colored wire and the wire that connects to one of the bulb terminals. Therefore, there is power to both sides of the bulb. Could the switch be wires wrong? Can you see in the pictures if it is wired correctly?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 41
From: Baltimore, MD USA
Well it's obvious the service manual schematic shows the color of the wires
at the input plug to the mirror and not the color of the wires inside the
mirror.
Move the Yellow wire at the switch to the center terminal so it's next
to the Black wire. How it got moved to the outside terminal is the question.
at the input plug to the mirror and not the color of the wires inside the
mirror.
Move the Yellow wire at the switch to the center terminal so it's next
to the Black wire. How it got moved to the outside terminal is the question.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Ventura California
BINGO! That did it. Moved the yellow wire to the center. Of course I have a loose connection now the the bulb connectors, but they work. Again, Corvette Forum the the rescue! Thank you.