Electronics Need help wiring something up? Thinking of adding an electrical component to your car? Need help troubleshooting that wiring glitch?

More interior lights

Old Nov 5, 2010 | 07:06 PM
  #1  
jchaussee's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 885
Likes: 0
From: bellingham WA
Car: 85 Z28
Engine: 327
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
More interior lights

Has anybody added more interior lights. I was thinking of adding some above sail panels pr around that area. Just curious if anybody has done this. Would I just tap into the wire that supplies dome light?
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2010 | 08:53 PM
  #2  
JamesC's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 19,282
Likes: 103
From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: More interior lights

Or if you simply want more light, install LED's in your dome light. Though the following link is about an install in an overhead console, the set-up would be the same.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...-overhead.html

JamesC
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2010 | 10:55 PM
  #3  
camaronewbie's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 19
From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: More interior lights

I've added LED's to my interior. I have kick panel LED's that come on/off with the opening/closing of the doors, as well as come on with the park lights (used 3in LED strips up under dash). I also have rear floorboard LED's that function the same (used the LED windshield washer lights mounted in the rear corners of the center console). I also have a LED inside the center console that lights with park lights (used a license plate bolt LED). Then I installed a 36 LED panel in the dome light as well which lights up the whole interior ALOT when I turn it on (not connected to the doors).
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2010 | 11:13 PM
  #4  
jchaussee's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 885
Likes: 0
From: bellingham WA
Car: 85 Z28
Engine: 327
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: More interior lights

Any pics??
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2010 | 03:10 PM
  #5  
jchaussee's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 885
Likes: 0
From: bellingham WA
Car: 85 Z28
Engine: 327
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: More interior lights

Also the HVAC lights and hifter light suck. Have they always been like this. Only lights up half of HVAC controls. Also all my bulbs on gauges work, EXCEPT ones behind speedo. Any guesses to why?
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2010 | 03:48 PM
  #6  
evilemokid94's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 3
From: Elwood, IN
Car: 1986 camaro Sports Coupe
Engine: L31 350
Transmission: 89 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 gov lock
Re: More interior lights

Originally Posted by jchaussee
Also the HVAC lights and hifter light suck. Have they always been like this. Only lights up half of HVAC controls. Also all my bulbs on gauges work, EXCEPT ones behind speedo. Any guesses to why?
blown bulbs.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2010 | 04:29 PM
  #7  
jchaussee's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 885
Likes: 0
From: bellingham WA
Car: 85 Z28
Engine: 327
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: More interior lights

So are they like old school christmas lights where if one is blown rest don't work. Because every single other bulb light except the few behind the speedo.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2010 | 11:13 PM
  #8  
evilemokid94's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 3
From: Elwood, IN
Car: 1986 camaro Sports Coupe
Engine: L31 350
Transmission: 89 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 gov lock
Re: More interior lights

no, just the blown ones
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2010 | 11:47 PM
  #9  
6SIX6's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (35)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,470
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga,Ont,Canada
Car: 89 IROC
Engine: LSX 6.0 370, TU2 Cam, Fast intake
Transmission: T56 w/ lots of goodies
Axle/Gears: 8.8, Posi, 4.10, 31 Spline
Re: More interior lights

I used 2 tractor trailer LED licence plate lights which have 5 LED's in each and wow the dome light is bright now. Also if you want the lights to come on when the door is open I suggest the dome light as it will be closer to the sail panels
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2010 | 12:29 AM
  #10  
jchaussee's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 885
Likes: 0
From: bellingham WA
Car: 85 Z28
Engine: 327
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: More interior lights

Then none are blown because I put ones that were behind speedo in other spots and the worked. Would dimmer switch effect them?
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2010 | 12:38 AM
  #11  
evilemokid94's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 3
From: Elwood, IN
Car: 1986 camaro Sports Coupe
Engine: L31 350
Transmission: 89 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 gov lock
Re: More interior lights

Originally Posted by jchaussee
Then none are blown because I put ones that were behind speedo in other spots and the worked. Would dimmer switch effect them?
what i was saying is if one bulb is blown the rest will still work, it sounds the the lights behind the speedo are blown from age and use, take your gauge trim peice off and lower your steering column, there are two bolts under the dash you can remove in order to lower the column ( 13 mm i think), after that is done just slide your gauges out. check the bulbs behind the speedo to see if they are loose or blown, this has happen to me before, my driver side turn signal indicator bulb was lose so it wouldn't turn on, i tightened it and it was fine. if they are blown take them to your local parts store to pick up replacments, should only be a few dollars at most.
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2010 | 12:46 AM
  #12  
novafirebirdguy's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 503
Likes: 1
From: Des Moines, IA
Car: 90 Formula WS6, 86 Sport Coupe
Engine: 305 TBI, 2.8 MPFI
Transmission: 700r4, 700r4w/vette servos
Axle/Gears: 2.73 Open, 3.42 Open
Re: More interior lights

I think he's saying that he put the suspect bulbs in a different location and they worked. If that's the case then clean the all the contacts on the circuit board. You can use a little rubbing alcohol or a pencil eraser.
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2010 | 05:04 PM
  #13  
evilemokid94's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 3
From: Elwood, IN
Car: 1986 camaro Sports Coupe
Engine: L31 350
Transmission: 89 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 gov lock
Re: More interior lights

Originally Posted by novafirebirdguy
I think he's saying that he put the suspect bulbs in a different location and they worked. If that's the case then clean the all the contacts on the circuit board. You can use a little rubbing alcohol or a pencil eraser.
yeah i see what your talking about now, must have read through his post to fast or it must not have registed in my brain what he was saying.
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2010 | 07:41 PM
  #14  
jchaussee's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 885
Likes: 0
From: bellingham WA
Car: 85 Z28
Engine: 327
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: More interior lights

Yeah I just tightened them all and got most to work. I also got a new dimmer switch and I think that may have helped because mine has some bad contacts inside because I had to giggle it to get lights on dash to work also.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BRoss99
Electronics
28
Aug 10, 2025 05:08 PM
Vintageracer
Camaros for Sale
12
Jan 10, 2020 05:33 PM
The_Phoenix
Interior Parts for Sale
12
Feb 4, 2016 07:10 AM
Omega
Interior Parts for Sale
2
Aug 10, 2015 12:46 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:26 AM.