I see many overhead consoles both in the classifieds and in the bone yards, though I'd guess 90% of them have no flash light. Granted, the flash lights are poorly designed and are generally worthless POS's; however, what happens to them? Is there a great GM conspiracy, a flash light graveyard in Iraq, a Martian collection agency--is Paris Hilton hording them?

JamesC

 

Personally, I dont really need a flashlight in a console but, I like one in my t-top to serve at least one purpose... I am puttingin a 4th gen console and thought maybe it would be good to place the window and mirror switches up there.... you know like another distraction while driving.... But to be honest it to me is just another option that I would have in my 89 t/a........

 

JamesC you make a good point about the console flashlight.Either they are in good working condition or good for parts.When they cracked it probably was thrown away.I consider myself lucky to have one in very good working condition(it is a good emergency light).But the way the locking tabs are made it's a wonder any useable ones survive.It would have been just as easy to have used 3 or 4 screws to hold them together.And the contact bars corrode because most people probably forget about them over time.

 

Screws would have cost GM more When I had mine apart a couple of years ago, I thoroughly cleaned and coated the contacts with dialectic grease. And as of a minute ago, it still works. Miracle.

JamesC

 

A lot of heat is transmitted to the light (and batteries) in warmer climates. I had one in my 85 and took the light out of the console because the batteries wouldnt last more than a month in the summer before they started leaking profusely.

I dont know where they all go. Sometimes I find them laying in the car somewhere, rather than with the console.

 

I've got a fairly good stack of flashlights, and I don't believe that ANY of them work. Most of them look brand new inside, and I've taken the contacts out and cleaned them up, but they still don't work. I think the bulb is the culprit, but I can't find new bulbs. Between flashlights and console clocks, I think I could start a business...

 

I don't recall the bulb number at this point, but I purchased a replacement at a local hardware store.

JamesC

 

Jim85IROC has them all thats where they went

 

The number on the bulb is Philips 222 NK also 1G6 is on there.Maybe check for 3.0 VDC bulbs at a harware store as jamesC suggested. Also Modern Day Muscle carries them( http://www.moderndaymuscle.com/inc/sdetail/1194 ).I have 2 flashlights,1 working,and 3 console clocks,including the working one in my '83,so I'm not stock piling yet.Madmax that is a good point about heat and the batteries.

 

I have a brand new Firebird flashlight, and I have been tempted to make a copy of it to make as a replacement, I would probably remove the FIREBIRD script as that is Copywrited.

John

 

I'd say the market for replacements would be very good with or without the script.

JamesC

 

I sold one off of ebay starting bid as like $5. & i went all the way up to $50 believe it or not I fould out later it was a guy from this site lol.

 

Fortunately both of my Trans Am had the flashlights in the console, after I totaled off the first one I kept the flashlight. Both of them are in fine condition, but the bulbs need to be replaced and I'm to lazy to get new ones.