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Driver's Side Window Controls - Back Light

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Old Feb 21, 2022 | 07:10 AM
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Default Driver's Side Window Controls - Back Light

Apologize in advance in this has been covered elsewhere - my forum searching skills are not great - I found Bill Curlee's electrical diagrams - helpful as I think I located the power feed for the back light to the driver's side window controls (windows, locks, mirrors, memory) - 1998 C5 coupe - all controls work but no back light - passenger side backlight works - no other electrical issues (knock on wood) - I did replace the unit - as the other one has several cracks and tears etc. Does it indicate a possible wiring problem or door module etc.?

Bill
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Old Feb 21, 2022 | 12:52 PM
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back light? the switch light or bulbs behind the door control switch panel?
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Old Feb 21, 2022 | 01:00 PM
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Justin - thank you - the back light of the actual switch that you see when the headlights etc. are on for night driving. So the light behind the switch (backlight) that installs the in the drivers side door - the right side works fine - not the drivers side. Does make sense?
Bill
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Old Feb 21, 2022 | 01:45 PM
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yes so the switch panel doesnt have lighting but works? Maybe the bulb is bad i seen you can swap different color bulbs in there led that are brighter i havent swapped them yet as its a bit of work can damage stuff removing the switch panel
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Old Feb 21, 2022 | 02:49 PM
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Thank you - will take a look this weekend - also want to check each pin that comes from the door module into the switch itself - maybe something simple like a loose connection. Will update once I check.
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Old Feb 21, 2022 | 07:37 PM
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Yes i think there are bulbs behind the switch panel i seen they sell colored led conversion bulbs for those as well as the gauge cluster and whole interior. Im not for sure though as i have yet to take a c5 interior apart.
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Old Feb 22, 2022 | 06:12 AM
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It appears that each switch may have it's own bulb - one for left side windows - one for right side - one for locks etc. Since none of the lights work would I not be searching for the power and ground for the lights for the entire switch - all other functions work well.
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Old Feb 22, 2022 | 01:36 PM
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I would check the bulbs. They go. Replace one, and see if it lights up. It's really trivial to get that control panel (though I forget if you have to take the door panel off first, which is also super easy). you can replace the bulbs in the module with LEDs, or swap in the same incandescent. LEDs look great in that location.

I can't tell you for sure, since I've never dove into the schematics on that module, but I doubt there's a separate wire for power/ground on the lights. Just wouldn't make sense to run a separate 12v line for the lights.

Check the bulbs -- always eliminate the simple things first.
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Old Feb 22, 2022 | 03:36 PM
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Thank you very much. I can pull the control as a separate unit with out the door panel coming off. Will target that for the weekend. Thanks for the suggestions.
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Old Feb 22, 2022 | 05:24 PM
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Originally Posted by JMG2
I would check the bulbs. They go. Replace one, and see if it lights up. It's really trivial to get that control panel (though I forget if you have to take the door panel off first, which is also super easy). you can replace the bulbs in the module with LEDs, or swap in the same incandescent. LEDs look great in that location.

I can't tell you for sure, since I've never dove into the schematics on that module, but I doubt there's a separate wire for power/ground on the lights. Just wouldn't make sense to run a separate 12v line for the lights.

Check the bulbs -- always eliminate the simple things first.
Im looking to do the same put led bulbs in there without tearing up things. Curious to see how the op does.
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