My first malfunction... A quick question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
My first malfunction... A quick question
Aloha folks,
So far so good, seems my Z is doing fine overall & I'm enjoying the heck out of her. Unfortunately I've encountered my first problem, though minor, it does bother me a little... My under hood light has failed. Yes, yes, this is pretty small & probably something many would just live with. However, I really like to have everything working and in all honesty, I like the light
I've checked the bulb and its filament looks fine, I checked the connection and it was clipped in as well. There was some corrosion on the connecter (the bluish green gunk) but I cleaned it off... Still no light. It worked up until a few days ago but hadn't popped the hood until today. I have been driving in the rain but didn't notice any moister in that area. Any ideas??? Is there a switch that could be stuck? I don't have my tech orders for the car yet and have no clue on where to start looking. Any and all help appreciated!!! 
TIA & Mahalo!!!
Mark
So far so good, seems my Z is doing fine overall & I'm enjoying the heck out of her. Unfortunately I've encountered my first problem, though minor, it does bother me a little... My under hood light has failed. Yes, yes, this is pretty small & probably something many would just live with. However, I really like to have everything working and in all honesty, I like the light
I've checked the bulb and its filament looks fine, I checked the connection and it was clipped in as well. There was some corrosion on the connecter (the bluish green gunk) but I cleaned it off... Still no light. It worked up until a few days ago but hadn't popped the hood until today. I have been driving in the rain but didn't notice any moister in that area. Any ideas??? Is there a switch that could be stuck? I don't have my tech orders for the car yet and have no clue on where to start looking. Any and all help appreciated!!! TIA & Mahalo!!!
Mark
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: SoCal Twin Turbo, Any Questions?
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
yes, i am going to be that smartass... did you get a new bulb? i had to replace mine it was just burnt out. Other than that, start checking fuses, im sure someone might have more specific information for you
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
Originally Posted by StuandJoy
That'll teach ya for living in Hawaii.
Oh, wait a minute.
I agree with Navy. Go ahead and replace the bulb.
Oh, wait a minute.
I agree with Navy. Go ahead and replace the bulb.
Mahalo guys... Off to the parts store, hope it stops raining soon!
Mark
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It's a mercury switch on the lights, so it should just come on when the hood is opened. Go ahead and try a new bulb. If that doesn't work, could be a fuse (is anything else not working) or the light assembly itself.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,829
Likes: 45
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Rather than avisual inspection of the bulb, get a voltmeter, set for
resistance and look across the terminals of the bulb. 0 ohms
reading the bulb is good. Then set the vm for dc voltage &
chk the socket. If no volts, it is either wiring, mercury sw or
fuse.
Good Luck
resistance and look across the terminals of the bulb. 0 ohms
reading the bulb is good. Then set the vm for dc voltage &
chk the socket. If no volts, it is either wiring, mercury sw or
fuse.
Good Luck
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 0
From: Omaha Nebraska
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by vettman96
Rather than avisual inspection of the bulb, get a voltmeter, set for
resistance and look across the terminals of the bulb. 0 ohms
reading the bulb is good. Then set the vm for dc voltage &
chk the socket. If no volts, it is either wiring, mercury sw or
fuse.
Good Luck
resistance and look across the terminals of the bulb. 0 ohms
reading the bulb is good. Then set the vm for dc voltage &
chk the socket. If no volts, it is either wiring, mercury sw or
fuse.
Good Luck
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 275
Likes: 21
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by Boomah
Aloha folks,
So far so good, seems my Z is doing fine overall & I'm enjoying the heck out of her. Unfortunately I've encountered my first problem, though minor, it does bother me a little... My under hood light has failed. Yes, yes, this is pretty small & probably something many would just live with. However, I really like to have everything working and in all honesty, I like the light I've checked the bulb and its filament looks fine, I checked the connection and it was clipped in as well. There was some corrosion on the connecter (the bluish green gunk) but I cleaned it off... Still no light. It worked up until a few days ago but hadn't popped the hood until today. I have been driving in the rain but didn't notice any moister in that area. Any ideas??? Is there a switch that could be stuck? I don't have my tech orders for the car yet and have no clue on where to start looking. Any and all help appreciated!!!
TIA & Mahalo!!!
Mark
So far so good, seems my Z is doing fine overall & I'm enjoying the heck out of her. Unfortunately I've encountered my first problem, though minor, it does bother me a little... My under hood light has failed. Yes, yes, this is pretty small & probably something many would just live with. However, I really like to have everything working and in all honesty, I like the light
I've checked the bulb and its filament looks fine, I checked the connection and it was clipped in as well. There was some corrosion on the connecter (the bluish green gunk) but I cleaned it off... Still no light. It worked up until a few days ago but hadn't popped the hood until today. I have been driving in the rain but didn't notice any moister in that area. Any ideas??? Is there a switch that could be stuck? I don't have my tech orders for the car yet and have no clue on where to start looking. Any and all help appreciated!!! TIA & Mahalo!!!
Mark
This is not a stupid question as some have made fun of it. I had the same problem one week after my new 2004 vette was bought.
The bulb is not the problem most likely, mine was the entire module. The switch that turns it on and off is operated by gravity "mercury switch". I hope your vette is still under warranty so you can get it fixed free. Good luck
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
Appreciate the help guys, as well as the humor I'll give it the once over with a volt meter and see where it goes from there. I'll let you all know... Even if it's just the bulb 
If not, the car's still under warranty so no biggy. I just want to do it right... This isn't an Abrams where a tankers bar & ball peen hammer solved everything
Thanks again & Mahalo!
Mark
I'll give it the once over with a volt meter and see where it goes from there. I'll let you all know... Even if it's just the bulb If not, the car's still under warranty so no biggy. I just want to do it right... This isn't an Abrams where a tankers bar & ball peen hammer solved everything Thanks again & Mahalo!
Mark
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From: What I know, is dwarfed by what I pretend to know
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Originally Posted by PetalBombC5
How many C5 owners does it take to change a light bulb? 
Team Owner
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by Antvette
Since your possibly going to be changing a bulb I guess it's time to replace them all with LED's so you won't have to worry about it for a long time. That and it looks cool.
Team Owner
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From: Plano Texas
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Also, take a minute to look at the wiring harness (runs down the passenger side in front of the radiator shroud) and insure it is plugged in.
Many people disconnect this harness.
Many people disconnect this harness.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
Well the under hood light saga is over...
Hade the FLUKE all powered up & ready to test contacts, lines, etc... Popped the hood open and the light was working. Drove around for a bit then came home to check it again... Still working. Go figure Looks like the queer-trons have left for now
Thanks again for being patient with the newbie; I'll be looking into LEDs for illumination soon!!!
Mahalo,
Mark
Hade the FLUKE all powered up & ready to test contacts, lines, etc... Popped the hood open and the light was working. Drove around for a bit then came home to check it again... Still working. Go figure
Looks like the queer-trons have left for now Thanks again for being patient with the newbie; I'll be looking into LEDs for illumination soon!!!
Mahalo,
Mark
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From: Winchester TN
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Hi Boomah -
To Grumpy's chagrin, I will bounce this up once more - because after reading this thread I feel compelled to ask:
Did you know that the light will go out after a few minutes?
Its a feature of the car to avoid having the battery drain. Opening a door or closing the hood and re-opening it will reset the light and it will shine for a few more minutes....
best regards -
mqqn
To Grumpy's chagrin, I will bounce this up once more - because after reading this thread I feel compelled to ask:
Did you know that the light will go out after a few minutes?
Its a feature of the car to avoid having the battery drain. Opening a door or closing the hood and re-opening it will reset the light and it will shine for a few more minutes....
best regards -
mqqn
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
Originally Posted by mqqn
Hi Boomah -
To Grumpy's chagrin, I will bounce this up once more - because after reading this thread I feel compelled to ask:
Did you know that the light will go out after a few minutes?
Its a feature of the car to avoid having the battery drain. Opening a door or closing the hood and re-opening it will reset the light and it will shine for a few more minutes....
best regards -
mqqn
To Grumpy's chagrin, I will bounce this up once more - because after reading this thread I feel compelled to ask:
Did you know that the light will go out after a few minutes?
Its a feature of the car to avoid having the battery drain. Opening a door or closing the hood and re-opening it will reset the light and it will shine for a few more minutes....
best regards -
mqqn
Mahalo
Mark