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Interior light / That is not the dimmer switch problem

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Old Jan 25, 2018 | 03:00 PM
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Default Interior light / That is not the dimmer switch problem

Hi All,
I have a weird problem. I can really use some good advice.
When I open the and get into my 1998 C5 Convertible, the interior lights come on and stay on in till I start the car, then they turn off.. Seems normal. When I turn the headlights on, they pop up and come on, but so do the interior lights under the dash and mirror. This makes driving very aggravating at night.
I did play with the dash dimmer switch. When I turn it all the way to the right, it does click, and the interior lights get brighter, Then when I turn to the left, it clicks and the lights go back to a softer glow and the dash then becomes dimmer the more I turn it to the left. The inter lights come on and off with the headlights regardless if the dash dimmer switch is pushed in, our out.

What say U?
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Old Jan 25, 2018 | 06:37 PM
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I say they are working correctly.
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Old Jan 25, 2018 | 09:41 PM
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Originally Posted by o2bnkc
I say they are working correctly.
I agree. Working as designed. The light under the mirror is intended to light the shifter at night.
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Old Jan 26, 2018 | 07:51 AM
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The interior lights coming on with the headlights is NOT normal. I'm not sure if you have a grounding problem at the headlight control module or where the issue is.

Free bump in hopes that 8VETTE7, Bill Curlee, or some other electrical guy see this.
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Old Jan 27, 2018 | 02:27 PM
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Maybe a slight glow on mirror, but somthing is wrong with under dash and mirrors light on with headlights.. just looking for starting point..
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Old Jan 27, 2018 | 05:02 PM
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Do the rear compartment lights turn on as well?

Try pulling fuse 29 and/or relay 42 in the passenger footwell fusebox. If pulling those don't disable the lights, you have a short in your harness somewhere. Most likely a short between the backlight circuit and interior light circuit. Or headlight circuit and interior light circuit. What happens when you push the stalk forwards to turn the high beams on?

Last edited by Tsumi; Jan 27, 2018 at 05:03 PM.
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Old Jan 27, 2018 | 11:40 PM
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Moved to C5 Tech.
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Old Feb 20, 2018 | 04:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Tsumi
Do the rear compartment lights turn on as well?

Try pulling fuse 29 and/or relay 42 in the passenger footwell fusebox. If pulling those don't disable the lights, you have a short in your harness somewhere. Most likely a short between the backlight circuit and interior light circuit. Or headlight circuit and interior light circuit. What happens when you push the stalk forwards to turn the high beams on?
You are right, pulling the relay and or fuse, will turn the interior light off, but come back on when turn headlights on.
They did go off once while driving, hit a bump and came back on (Dam)
No change with brights.

Bob
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Old Feb 20, 2018 | 02:27 PM
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Sounds to me like you have some sort of short. Do they turn on with the parking lights, or only the headlights?

I'll go over wiring diagrams to see if I can pinpoint a place for you to start troubleshooting.
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Old Feb 20, 2018 | 03:17 PM
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The interior lights do come on with running lights as well..
i would appreciate a starting point..
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Old Feb 21, 2018 | 01:27 AM
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Try removing relay 43.

Since removing relay 42 doesn't solve the problem, it rules out a bad BCM and faulty relay control. My best guess is that there is a short between the courtesy lamp circuit and the exterior parking lamp circuit. However, there are several places where such a short can occur. Passenger footwell fusebox is where they are all commonly connected, so I would start there.
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Old Feb 21, 2018 | 06:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Tsumi
Try removing relay 43.

Since removing relay 42 doesn't solve the problem, it rules out a bad BCM and faulty relay control. My best guess is that there is a short between the courtesy lamp circuit and the exterior parking lamp circuit. However, there are several places where such a short can occur. Passenger footwell fusebox is where they are all commonly connected, so I would start there.
Thanks, I will start my search... I did install the LED lights in the signals, and the relay under the dash to stop hyper flash.. Something tells me since that hyper flash was not a gm product to maybe give that some thought.
Do you think the 3 book service manual is a value to guy like me?

Thanks for all your help, this site is awesome, and has help me tremendously...
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Old Jun 29, 2018 | 10:53 AM
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I'm having the exact same issue. Did you find the problem?
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Old Jun 29, 2018 | 11:09 AM
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Default No, I’m still having same problem.

i can use any help in this situation, I beleave it to be a ground. I got a copy of wire diagram..
please let me know if you find answer, kinda sucks but I’ve been living with it
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Old Jun 29, 2018 | 11:38 AM
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Wow. Ok. Was hoping you found the issue. I'll be away from my car for about 2 weeks. Guess I'll start troubleshooting when I get back to it. If you do find the solution please post it.

Last edited by reath1; Jun 29, 2018 at 11:38 AM.
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Old Jun 29, 2018 | 11:53 AM
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Default Interior lights

Definitely, and please you do the same.
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Old Oct 11, 2018 | 07:54 PM
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I haven't come up with the solution. Have you?
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Old Oct 11, 2018 | 08:21 PM
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Default No solution!!

im thinking the ground behind speedo.. I bought the 3 book shop manual.. I might start in November, December to try and find this problem..
if I find it I’ll let you know, and please do the same.
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Old Oct 11, 2018 | 08:37 PM
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Originally Posted by C5bounce
im thinking the ground behind speedo.. I bought the 3 book shop manual.. I might start in November, December to try and find this problem..
if I find it I’ll let you know, and please do the same.
I JUST fixed mine. Look at this thread. Mine had about half of the "salt" looking stain that this fellow had. I flushed the area around and under with alcohol. Dried it out well. Reinstalled it and nothing but joy!

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...7-and-hcm.html
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