jays83gsl

My interior light doesn't seem to work. I replaced it with the bulb that Autozone said to replace it with (I'm assuming they're wrong) and it still wont come on. I have also checked the fuse for it.

83 GSL, just in case.

What's going wrong here?

Sgt Fox

iTrader: (3)

have you checked the switch position? Sometimes it looks on but really isn't. Also make sure the metal contacts of the lamp holder are touching the lamp themselves. The bulb kinda snaps in there. If all that doesn't work, look in your door jamb for the door open switch. Unscrew the one (or two?) screws and pull it out carefully, is it connected to its wire? further up the wire, are the male/female bullet connectors properly mated?

FirstGen7

Interesting...I've got an 82 GS and it works...but won't work only when it's in the "door" position. Otherwise if I turn it on it'll work.

satoacs

id say look at the wires and connections, if you cant see the whole wire or find the problem without taking stuff apart then you have yourself a problem
the connections or where the buld connects to the socket may have something in it

jays83gsl

Hmm, the bulb is sort of loose in the socket. DID Autozone give me the wrong part number (again!)?

It doesn't work on ANY position: On, off, or door. I'll check the wiring tomorrow, but it seems like it's all under the interior peices (the soft stuff)

John64

Do you have a test light or multimeter? That would be the first test for power.

partsguy74

If you find that it is the socket that is bad, I have an entire assembly I can sell you.. Email or PM me if you need it...

Bolox

i got the same problem, and i know its not thre bulb, and i know its not the door jam button (coz the ignition light comes on) so i figure its faulty between where it switches and the dome light.. shame that..

and do you guiys have the 2 directional light in the us cars aswell?

webmonk

Not that this helps your situation, but my overhead only works in the DOOR position (and technically I guess OFF works too...) but will not illuminate in the ON position. I have the bi-directional reading light, but it doesn't work at all. I found a loose wire but haven't yet taken the time to figure out exactly from where it's come loose.

BigJim

with mine i have to push up on the mirror slightly and itl come on

DBOGGSRX7

I had this problem when I first got my 7 a couple of years ago. If you remove the drivers side storage bin, you will see a "computer" which I believe is just a timer, that has a large plug on it. One of the pins was pretty corroded. I can't remember which wire it was, but I will look it up again. Just unplug yours and check for corrosion. Also, remember that the dome light is switched from the negative side. so it should always have 12+ going to it. if you ground out the other side, it should come on.

kiker14

iTrader: (1)

oh yeah, my dome light was non-existant (bulb) when i got the car... and i never did get around to fixing it before leaving it at home for the winter... blast. thanks for the reminder, i'll add it to my "things to do to my car when i get home from college" list

DBOGGSRX7

OK, if your ignition key reminder chime does't work, check blue wire with yellow stripe and red wire with yellow stripe in connector above I mentioned earlier. Other wise, ground the red wire with black stripe at the door switch (drivers or passengers). If you have a Haynes manual, check page 296. Now if your light wont work in any position, it sounds like the light is missing it's ground, do yourself a favor and remove it from the car and clean it up real good. clean all connectors before re-installing.

ArticRX7

I hope it doesn't work in off

RotaryRyan

youre lucky. I have to hit mine

jays83gsl

Hmm, now that I think about it, NONE of my chimes, buzzers, or any of that work. Since it was mentioned. No overrev, no coolant, no door chime, and, if it exists, no seat belt chime.

My dome light and 2 way maplight don't work.

My glove box light works though O_O

Also, my headlights don't work unless they're on the bright mode.

Damn wiring hell.

LongDuck

Something to consider is that the connection on the rear-view mirror mount itself has corroded or fallen apart.

When I was troubleshooting the same problem on my dome light, I removed the two Phillips head screws and found that the pot-metal fixture that holds the bulb and bulb mounts had a ground wire that was simply riveted to the base. This rivet had corroded and lost contact with the ground, causing the bulb not to function for either the dome light or the 3-position map light (SE model).

After securing the ground with a small bolt, washer, and nut, it now works 100%. I'd try this first before assuming that your computer has bit the dust. Simple solution is sometimes the only problem. HTH,

jays83gsl

Computer? There's a computer that controlls all this lighting crap?

(BTW, 83 GSL)

DBOGGSRX7

yup, under the drivers side storage bin. You would be suprised to see what all that blue wire with the yellow stripe powers.

dennis

jays83gsl

Oh, THAT thing, lol.

WankelingBeer

mine was doing the same thing, i just had to tighten the metal clamps that hold the light in place. Just squeeze them together a little with a pair of pliers.

Bolox

bringing up the dead coz im jsut fixing mine...

is the 3 way map light meant to work all the time?
i pulled the assembly apart and all that i found was a ground and switching +12v (when you open the door), so i dont see how the map light works with the door closed.

am i missing somthing?

boyee

iTrader: (3)

i believe its an amp for the factory sound system. theres also one under the drivers seat. i dont think there are computers on all models except gsl-se because everything is all mechanical. gotta love that. if the light is on the off position then its off. if its on the on position then its on. if its in the door position then its on only when the door is open. there is no timer. also there is a map light which you can move to the driver side or pass. side and its on all the time except in the off position (middle).