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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Interior & Equipment => Topic started by: farmallgray on October 24, 2008, 08:45:27 pm

Title: under dash courtesy light
Post by: farmallgray on October 24, 2008, 08:45:27 pm: I was reading through the old threads on this topic and saw the discussion about there being a light under the dash by the ashtray. My 79 K20 (sierra grande trim) has been in the family since new and I have been driving it since I got my license in '87. I didn't remember it ever having a light under there.

I have had most of the truck apart from end to end and I never noticed there being one.

After I got home today I went out to the garage and felt under the dash and there it was!
I pulled out a bulb that looked like it had been in there since '79. I stuck a new 1156 in it and wow! light!

Thanks Guys!

I'm finding lots of other cool stuff on this forum.
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: VileZambonie on October 24, 2008, 09:28:30 pm: Not all trucks had the dome light but I believe they all had the under dash light.
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: Captkaos on October 27, 2008, 02:26:17 pm: Yep, all of them had that light. It works really well too!
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: GoatBeard on October 27, 2008, 02:51:12 pm: Don't feel bad -- I didn't know mine had one, either. I had to take half the dash apart to install a new stereo and happened across it. Mine puts out way more light than the dome light since it doesn't have a cover on it.
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: gbskunk2006 on October 27, 2008, 11:21:55 pm: Yeah, I found that hidden little gem when installing my new stereo as well :)

I've even disconnected my dome light now.

Cheers

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=6879.0
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: 197 on October 29, 2008, 05:14:31 pm: I found mine vacuuming and boy is it bright. 8)
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: Skunksmash on October 30, 2008, 04:33:28 am: When is it supposed to come on? In my truck if you open the door, the dome light comes on. If you turn the headlight switch all the way over, the dome light comes on. So when would this little light need to come on, or does it just sorta work with the dome light to provide more light?
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: Prong on October 30, 2008, 05:28:02 am: It's supposed to work in conjunction with the dome light.
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: DnStClr on November 02, 2008, 08:33:28 pm: My dome light isn't working . I'm going to look again in the morning for my under dash light. haven't been able to find it yet..
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: GoatBeard on November 02, 2008, 08:54:18 pm: This might help.

(http://www.chevyk5blazer.com/gallery2/g2data451911/albums/Goatbeard/Misc/courtesylightunderdash.jpg)
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: Captkaos on November 03, 2008, 01:46:32 pm: As Pictured, it will be just to the right of the ashtray.
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: 84chevysilverado on November 16, 2008, 10:54:28 am: I took my dash out the other day and saw something that looks like a light if you open up the ashtray? Its really really small. Is it a light?
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: Dragon on November 16, 2008, 12:22:25 pm: Quote from: 84chevysilverado on November 16, 2008, 10:54:28 am
I took my dash out the other day and saw something that looks like a light if you open up the ashtray? Its really really small. Is it a light?
Yep the ashtray illumination light, its there so you can see where to put your ashes in the dark, so you don't get them on the seat :o. Now that is supposed to be on when the dash/instrument panel is lit when the parking or headlights are on....
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: 84chevysilverado on November 16, 2008, 03:14:30 pm: okay. is possible its burnt out? and does anyone have a wiring diagram for it. The book I have doesnt show it. and its now working.
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: DnStClr on November 16, 2008, 03:53:23 pm: Huh? Why are you asking if it's burnt out if it's now working?? ???
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: VileZambonie on November 16, 2008, 06:25:04 pm: Maybe he meant not working?

Just check it with a test light.
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: Prong on November 16, 2008, 08:33:47 pm: That fiber optic light works off of the bulb in the upper right corner of the gauge cluster (either the tach or fuel gauge depending on what you have).
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: farmallgray on November 17, 2008, 12:54:27 pm: Quote from: Prong on November 16, 2008, 08:33:47 pm
That fiber optic light works off of the bulb in the upper right corner of the gauge cluster (either the tach or fuel gauge depending on what you have).

So that is what that wire coming out of the cluster is for. I was wondering about that when I had the cluster out the other night. It wasn't hooked to anything, but I wouldn't have noticed the ash tray not being lit.

That reminds of another question;
does the heater control only have one bulb to light it up? Mine doesn't seem very bright even with a new 168 bulb.
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: Captkaos on November 17, 2008, 01:35:58 pm: there is only one bulb in the climate unit.
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: DnStClr on November 17, 2008, 04:58:43 pm: And it's dull on my truck too. Maybe a good place for an led.
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: 82ChebySWB on November 17, 2008, 08:26:38 pm: Wow, I had no idea about this light. I just got my truck a few weeks ago, so I'll have to do some digging to see if this bulb might be burnt out.
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: JJSZABO on November 18, 2008, 07:23:20 am: Quote from: DnStClr on November 17, 2008, 04:58:43 pm
And it's dull on my truck too. Maybe a good place for an led.

I put a blue LED in my sons truck. Looks good
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: murraygmc on November 18, 2008, 08:14:08 am: i would say he just didnt put a t on not and hit the w .i'd like to see how you get to that ash tray light as whell how dose it stay shut mine stays open id like to shut it when not in use
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: dueprocess on December 04, 2008, 12:01:35 pm: works well also if you put the LED version of a 1157 in!!!!! Then it is bright as crap!!!! I love the light and wish my Yukon had one stock, i had to install one!!!!
Title: Re: under dash courtesy light
Post by: murraygmc on December 04, 2008, 12:23:19 pm: how do you keep the ash tray closed mine stays open