My light that illuminates when you open the hood stopped working. It used to work fine then started flickering and eventually now doesn't turn on when I open the hood. I posted a pick below of the harness. I am assuming the switch is the rectangle connector right before the lamp fixture. I am assuming it's some sort of motion switch. If this is the case does anyone know the name or part number of this? If that's not it where would the switch be located to activate the light.

 

Did you replace bulb

 

Of course. I checked the power @ the small connector where it plugs into the harness. I removed the housing and sanded the surfaces to make sure the ground is good.

 

I believe there is a mercury switch in the lower part of the bulb socket. Might need to take it apart and clean up all the contacts inside. Be careful not to break the mercury switch. Might not be a bad idea to wear gloves and a face mask just to be safe.

 

Self contained switch in that. With the light unmounted hook up power to it and move it up and down like it moves on the hood. If it doesn't work either the wire is broke or the switch is shot. Those usually last forever though.

 

Just did this exact thing and didn't work. I even shook it and nothing. I did have a ground wire hooked up as the light chassis needs to be grounded.

 

I found this on a Corvette site. It looks to be the same. When I zoom in the connector on the short black wire from the switch looks to be the same. I won't need the pigtail wire that comes with it. It says it's a new reproduction and includes the Mercury switch.

1977E Corvette Under Hood Light Assembly (GM Part 463410) (zip-corvette.com)

 

Looks like the one on my Suburban Vinny.

https://www.lmctruck.com/1992-99-che...underhood-lamp

No better value though LMC, but a LOT better chance of finding a used one in a salvage yard in a pickup (than finding a C3 Vette).

 

Thanks Dave, I will look into that. I figured they must have used these in almost every vehicle GM made through the 80's and 90's.

The original pic I posted is actually from an E-bay add. I looked and he wants $39 and its free shipping.

 

My car (83 L69 Z28) came with that.

It was always too dim to be of any real use. About the only thing it lit up usefully was the oil dipstick. Anything on the driver's side, was still completely in the dark. It was only effective as a gimmick that "looked" modern, i.e. a shiny thing intended to part the gullible (new car) buyer from a bit extra of their money, at the time.

Then I screwed up and parked in somebody's driveway once that was a kinda steep uphill. Came back out several hours later; batt was dead. Hmmmmm...... good thing the car was a stick shift...

Not the best system in the world. I'd suggest getting rid of it, and storing a nice LED flashlight with a magnet, under the hood somewhere convenient.

 

If you do pursue a used one, try to make sure it's not bent. Many techs, too lazy to disconnect the inline connector, will simple bend the lamp down to turn it off, then bend it back when done. Do that enough times, and the metal fatigues. You would probably have noticed it anyway, but I thought I'd mention it.

Sofa, that must have been a San Fransisco sized hill. Was never a problem for me in Illinois.

 

Thanks Guys, I am going to get a replacement and I never thought of the hill thing.

Sofa I put one of those new LED Chip Light Bulb with the chips all over the place and man it sure does light up the compartment. and is probably a 1/3 of the draw from the old school incandescent. Still shadows on the drivers side but at least it is illuminated now. I want it work so when I go to the evening cruise night at the local watering hole it shines some light on the engine.

 

If you really want to light up the engine compartment add a light on the drivers side.

 

Did you check the fuse? Its an inline 3amp short glass fuse in a rubber boot. Might be in the plastic conduit.