Did the 5-speed pattern on the shift plate ever illuminate on any of the '82-'84 cars? Both of my '83's don't have a light there but I can see how they were intended to illuminate.

 

It doesn't illuminate on my friends '84 T/A. GM was too cheap and being run by bean counters at that point for something like that. The wording on the radio doesn't even light up. Its just silk screened on.

 

The 84 ta shift pattern on the console lights up, or it atleast did originally........... I have 2 of them...

 

nope, it never did.

theres 3 things i can think of that a lightsocket would be in the center console for:

the ashtray light. some options had it.
the PRND21 letters on a automatic
the light for the center console compartment.

thoes are the only 3 reasons i could recall that a light socket would be there.....

 

the 5 speed indicator on my 84 Lit up with the lights

 

I have a brand new 83-84 firebird 5 speed shift plate and it has a light socket to illuminate the shift pattern .... I don't think the 4 speeds ever had this though