under hood light issue
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
For this particular job - you could also use a 12 Volt test light - they typically cost a few bucks at most auto parts stores, but having a digital meter round is handy for misc. troubleshooting.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 142
From: Green Valley Arizona
What controls the hood lamp is a liquid switch that makes contact when the hood is open.
Make sure your new LED bulb works; connect across either the car battery or just use a 9V battery.
I suggest looking at the connector down by the passenger headlamp, be sure there are two contacts and that corrosion has not eaten them gone. I had to replace both terminals in my car due to corrosion. You will really need a cheap voltmeter to troubleshoot this. Harbor Freight sells one for about $5 or if you can get a coupon for a free one. Not the most accurate, but does work.
Leaving the new LED bulb in place does no harm to anything. Most owners unplug the lamp so as to not drain the battery when leaving the hood open for extended times, even if it does shut-off after 5 minutes or so.
Make sure your new LED bulb works; connect across either the car battery or just use a 9V battery.
I suggest looking at the connector down by the passenger headlamp, be sure there are two contacts and that corrosion has not eaten them gone. I had to replace both terminals in my car due to corrosion. You will really need a cheap voltmeter to troubleshoot this. Harbor Freight sells one for about $5 or if you can get a coupon for a free one. Not the most accurate, but does work.
Leaving the new LED bulb in place does no harm to anything. Most owners unplug the lamp so as to not drain the battery when leaving the hood open for extended times, even if it does shut-off after 5 minutes or so.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,057
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
What controls the hood lamp is a liquid switch that makes contact when the hood is open.
Make sure your new LED bulb works; connect across either the car battery or just use a 9V battery.
I suggest looking at the connector down by the passenger headlamp, be sure there are two contacts and that corrosion has not eaten them gone. I had to replace both terminals in my car due to corrosion. You will really need a cheap voltmeter to troubleshoot this. Harbor Freight sells one for about $5 or if you can get a coupon for a free one. Not the most accurate, but does work.
Leaving the new LED bulb in place does no harm to anything. Most owners unplug the lamp so as to not drain the battery when leaving the hood open for extended times, even if it does shut-off after 5 minutes or so.
Make sure your new LED bulb works; connect across either the car battery or just use a 9V battery.
I suggest looking at the connector down by the passenger headlamp, be sure there are two contacts and that corrosion has not eaten them gone. I had to replace both terminals in my car due to corrosion. You will really need a cheap voltmeter to troubleshoot this. Harbor Freight sells one for about $5 or if you can get a coupon for a free one. Not the most accurate, but does work.
Leaving the new LED bulb in place does no harm to anything. Most owners unplug the lamp so as to not drain the battery when leaving the hood open for extended times, even if it does shut-off after 5 minutes or so.
I unplugged mine a month after i bought my Vette almost 15 years ago and never looked back...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
Meter FREE at HarborFreight with coupon
Harbor Freight sends out coupons every month and about every 3 months you can get a free DVM with any other purchase. If you buy the meter without the free coupon it costs about $5.
