galwahh

Hello! 86 berlinetta t tops overhead console has a push button switch labeled Dome that is not working. (the map works). I don't see how this switch would be grounding out the dome light white wire. the way it is wired it is grounding out a purple wire from the main plug. Anyone know what this purple wire is for? It has 5 volts on it and nothing seems to happen when i directly ground it...

dome light switch removed and disassembled - purple wire in to black wire ground via switch. what does this do?

John in RI

iTrader: (167)

Purple = Courtesy Light circuit from the Light module.

The Light Module controls the "automatic" courtesy lighting,... thru the Purple wire.

galwahh

thanks for the reply. So this switch is to turn on/off the courtesy lights under the dash and not the dome light as labeled??

John in RI

iTrader: (167)

Purple = Switched ground from the Light Module. The courtesy and the Dome are on the same circuit........ The Dome can also be independently controlled.

galwahh

Thanks a lot for posting that print. I was looking at the print of the interior and exterior lights which does not show the Light Module. Where did that come from?

I'm pretty sure my problem with the courtesy lights not coming on is something bad in the Light Module circuit and no path to ground at the door jamb switch. I just read the recent thread from Mike Harding - was there any luck with repairing the Light Module?

John in RI

iTrader: (167)

No Fix for the light modules yet; I can overcome the DIM circuit failure,... but that's it.

I'm guessing the schematic you were looking at was for a 'regular' Camaro,... the schematic I posted is from the 85 Shop manual.

galwahh

Hello John in RI - question - i've got a little rotary on/off switch. If i tap into the white wire and ground on the black wire with this switch then it will operate the floor courtesy lights and the dome light. Just the door jamb switch will not work. Would that be ok or will that cause some other problems?

John in RI

iTrader: (167)

If you connect the white wire (shown) to one side of the switch and black to the other side,... nothing will happen. Black (shown) is ground to the body thru the roof console plug; White is ground from the door switch.

galwahh

I'm not sure i'm following. The white wire in the roof console turns into the purple/white wire through the roof console plug which runs to the floor courtesy lights. So Grounding the white wire in the roof console will operate the dome and courtesy lights. i mounted a small rotary switch inside the roof storage pouch.



So that is my fix for now. i believe the white wire on the door jam switches is different, and if i'm not mistaken the door switches are only functional through the Light Module - which mine are not working for the courtesy and dome but do work for the door ajar warning light in the dash - a good indication that something is wrong with the Light Module...
I'm guessing that I have not seen the last of the Light Module malfunctioning, so if anyone has one or is able to refurbish them, let me know...

John in RI

iTrader: (167)

Ya'.... I'm a bone-head ! Now I get it.

You're right,.... the door switches activate the courtesy lights/DOME thru the Light Module. The courtesy door switches are located at the FRONT of the door jam and often require loosening and re-torquing them to regain lost ground to the body.

The DOOR AJAR warning indicator is turned on thru the AUDIO ALARM by Door Switches at the BACK of the door jam. IIRC only Berlinetta and maybe GTA used this switch for the doors and hatch AJAR indicator. ( I think it was 85+ that integrated this AJAR switch directly to the door/hatch latch; might be 86+. )

Believe me; If I can ever figure out how to fix the Light Modules,.... I will make in known !