Under hood light
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 146
From: dalton ma
Under hood light
The under hood light in my '04 appears to have been intentionally disconnected by the previous owner. Before I blindly reconnect it I'd like to know how it works.
I'm guessing there is a switch in the light that operates when the hood is open and only then. Is there power to the switch at all times or only when the main lights are on ?
I don't want to reconnect it and come out tomorrow to find a dead battery. Somebody loan me some smarts. Thanks, Bob
I'm guessing there is a switch in the light that operates when the hood is open and only then. Is there power to the switch at all times or only when the main lights are on ?
I don't want to reconnect it and come out tomorrow to find a dead battery. Somebody loan me some smarts. Thanks, Bob
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
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From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
It should only come on when the hood is up and I believe even when the hood is up, it shuts off after 15 minutes. I would check my 98 but battery is not connected due to winter storage. My 02 no longer has a hood light.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,277
Likes: 1,096
From: Pittsburgh PA
I have mine disconnected because I go to car cruises and open my hood. And yes it goes off after a while. But every time you open a door or the trunk the light come on. So that could be a reason why it is unplugged.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
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From: Midland TX
I changed mine out to LEDs and they stay on very dim when I first close the hood and come on full brightness when I lift the hood about 2 inches to full open.
Last edited by Choreo; Feb 22, 2017 at 06:20 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: SF Bay Area
There is always power to the lamp housing all the time. It apparently has some type of mercury switch that makes contact when the hood is open? If that is the case, not sure if that light comes on when the angle of the car changes?
I changed mine out to LEDs and they stay on very dim when I first close the hood and come on full brightness when I lift the hood about 2 inches to full open.
I changed mine out to LEDs and they stay on very dim when I first close the hood and come on full brightness when I lift the hood about 2 inches to full open.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,203
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From: dalton ma
Thanks to most responders, I was looking to see if there was some insidious fault with the switch that would allow the light to go on/stay on when it should not. I don't think the manual would have told me that. I will consider my hand slapped and will avoid asking stupid questions of people who are to smart to answer them.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2016
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In my 2000, I leave the hood up during the winter (to stare at that beautiful LS1 when I'm bored 
while it's stored in the garage. When you first open the hood, light goes off automatically after...10 or 15 minutes.
while it's stored in the garage. When you first open the hood, light goes off automatically after...10 or 15 minutes.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 317
Likes: 42
So does anybody actualy know if and where the mercury or other type switch might be. It sounds like there must be one if the hood has to go up a ways to turn the light on other than just the hood release. I'm curious too. Mine doesn't light either and I've never even checked the bulb as far as that goes but I would like to see it work.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
Likes: 374
From: Central Florida
Thanks to most responders, I was looking to see if there was some insidious fault with the switch that would allow the light to go on/stay on when it should not. I don't think the manual would have told me that. I will consider my hand slapped and will avoid asking stupid questions of people who are to smart to answer them.
You can respond as you wish.....it's your thread but IMO the info about the manual was helpful and not at all insulting...maybe a little poke/jab with a smile.
Last edited by Forcedvert; Feb 22, 2017 at 10:44 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
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From: Central Florida
So does anybody actualy know if and where the mercury or other type switch might be. It sounds like there must be one if the hood has to go up a ways to turn the light on other than just the hood release. I'm curious too. Mine doesn't light either and I've never even checked the bulb as far as that goes but I would like to see it work.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
So does anybody actualy know if and where the mercury or other type switch might be. It sounds like there must be one if the hood has to go up a ways to turn the light on other than just the hood release. I'm curious too. Mine doesn't light either and I've never even checked the bulb as far as that goes but I would like to see it work.
Also, the light is tied to the light sensor if the Corvette came with one. It will not turn on in broad daylight, but sometimes does in overcast weather.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
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From: Midland TX
So what keeps the light from coming on with the hood closed if driving/parking on a incline? Just curious?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Central Florida
That would be a pretty serious incline, I think? I live in flat Florida so I would not have a good perspective on this. Plus it would only stay on for 15 min or so.....right?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
So does anybody actualy know if and where the mercury or other type switch might be. It sounds like there must be one if the hood has to go up a ways to turn the light on other than just the hood release. I'm curious too. Mine doesn't light either and I've never even checked the bulb as far as that goes but I would like to see it work.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
Interesting...
Here is the shop manual wiring diagram for the hood light, the vanity mirror lights, the glove box light and the inside rear view mirror light:
Attachment 48066459
Perhaps you can point out where the light sensor fits into the wiring since I don't seem to see it.
I know my car has a light sensor as I have the "twilight" headlight control feature but my hood light (when I had one) would come on anytime I opened the hood and not just when it was dark outside.
Here is the shop manual wiring diagram for the hood light, the vanity mirror lights, the glove box light and the inside rear view mirror light:
Attachment 48066459
Perhaps you can point out where the light sensor fits into the wiring since I don't seem to see it.
I know my car has a light sensor as I have the "twilight" headlight control feature but my hood light (when I had one) would come on anytime I opened the hood and not just when it was dark outside.
A timer will shut it off after a while. I would also seriously worry about your car rolling downhill if it was on a greater than 45 degree angle, though I guess the angle differs depending on the car.
Last edited by Tsumi; Feb 23, 2017 at 12:07 AM.