underhood light
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 476
Likes: 72
From: MA
underhood light
My underhood lights don't work. The fuse is fine and there is juice going thru, no prior owner installed switch, so it seems that maybe both the mercury switches are gone. I was going to put a switch under the hood myself, based on info I've seen here, but I don't remember too much about bypassing the mercury switches. It seems they are discontinued from GM. Does anyone know where I can get them, or in lieu of that, how can I bypass them ?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 13,356
Likes: 0
From: tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Re: underhood light (Mikesa)
I completely disconnected the hood lights......just no need for them...and I can leave my hood open overnight without problems..
Just no need for them...
tony
:smash:
Just no need for them...
tony
:smash:
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,914
Likes: 0
From: Shindand AB
Re: underhood light (oldace84)
I completely disconnected the hood lights......just no need for them...and I can leave my hood open overnight without problems..
Just no need for them...
tony
:smash:
Just no need for them...
tony
:smash:
Sorry I dont have an answer to your question, but I have mine disconnected also. Poor lighting and I can leave my hood up without having to worry about running the battery down.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 17,367
Likes: 1
From: Kentucky
Re: underhood light (beachcat)
I like the fact that they are there and work. I did think about putting a switch on them so they would be easier to disconnect when my hood is going to be open for long periods. I don't carry a flashlight with me and if I have to raise the hood for anything at night at least I have some light.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 476
Likes: 72
From: MA
Re: underhood light (Mikesa)
Thanks everyone. I guess I'm kinda like HNGACURV, the fact that they are there makes me want them to work. I didn't check the bulbs (duh) but I will. I guess, due to past experience, I just never think of fixes on a corvette as being that simple, or that cheap.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Re: underhood light (Mikesa)
Mid America sells a kit, consisting of a bulb and a switch.
(I, too, require that all components work. I did install manual cut-off switches for each of the underhood lights, for the usual reasons.)
Larry
code5coupe
:seeya
(I, too, require that all components work. I did install manual cut-off switches for each of the underhood lights, for the usual reasons.)
Larry
code5coupe
:seeya
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 476
Likes: 72
From: MA
Re: underhood light (Mikesa)
Just a quick follow up. Both bulbs are fine. I jumped the mercury switches, and both lit up as they should. 65Z01, thanks for the link. I'll try them for the switches tomorrow.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 476
Likes: 72
From: MA
Re: underhood light (Mikesa)
I took the lens off and the mercury switch appears to be a small round device, 1/2 inch big or so, that appears to be held in place by a "clamp". The clamp around the mercury switch on mine was live. When the mercury completes the circuit, the juice passes from the clamp, thru the switch to what appears to be a "plunger" type extrusion , although it is fixed on the end of the switch, that makes contact to the positive end of the metal clamp in which the bulb resides. If the switch is not working, I think power does not reach the "estrusion" that touches the positive bulb clamp. I used a test light and touched one end to the "clamp" holding the switch and the other to the positive side clamp holding the bulb, and it lit up as it should. If you're looking at the bulb, this should make sense. I must admit though, I've just confused the hell out of myself.
I think I'm going to put an inline switch near the fuse by the left front headlight, and bypass both mercury switches with some type of "permanent" metal bridge from the clamp holding the switch, to the metal holding the bulb. I'd like to replace the switches, but they don't appear to be readily available. 65Z01 thought Contemporary Corvette would have them, I called and all they have are used lights for about $20 each.
I think I'm going to put an inline switch near the fuse by the left front headlight, and bypass both mercury switches with some type of "permanent" metal bridge from the clamp holding the switch, to the metal holding the bulb. I'd like to replace the switches, but they don't appear to be readily available. 65Z01 thought Contemporary Corvette would have them, I called and all they have are used lights for about $20 each.
