1994 underhood light

[mperry]

For a decade I wondered what this mystery connector was for; finally got around to finding out. Originally I didn't have a phone so I didn't realize there was a part# stamped on it. It's connected to the underside of the hood... a "under hood courtesy light". Yes, it's a mercury switch so the light goes out when closed. No one seemed to know what the socket was for until after I solved the issue. <lol> Apparently the original owner pulled the bulb because "he didn't want to drain the battery". The bulb inserts to the right.

 

[RobbieD]

It's always nice to find an Easter egg.

That's a good place to use an LED bulb, to reduce the current draw.

 

[ericbphoto]

I don’t trust the mercury switch. So I leave the LED bulb installed. But I unplug the other end of the harness down near the fuse/relay block.

 

[RobbieD]

I don’t trust the mercury switch.

Life was so much simpler, way back when all that we had to do, was to not trust anybody over 30.

The cat's ass would be a magnetic LED light in an underhood-mounted retractable spool, with an on/off switch. I'm sure that somebody somewhere probably makes something like this, but either with a "junk" rating, or for more money than it's worth. Or, probably, even both.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Life was so much simpler, way back when all that we had to do, was to not trust anybody over 30.

The cat's ass would be a magnetic LED light in an underhood-mounted retractable spool, with an on/off switch. I'm sure that somebody somewhere probably makes something like this, but either with a "junk" rating, or for more money than it's worth. Or, probably, even both.

If I'm not mistaken... GM trucks of the mid to late 80's had that very retractable light.

I never think about it in the rare occasion I go to the junkyard.

 

[RobbieD]

If I'm not mistaken... GM trucks of the mid to late 80's had that very retractable light.

I never think about it in the rare occasion I go to the junkyard.

I'm pretty sure that you're right. I remember seeing such an animal "back in the day", but I don't remember on what.

 

[ericbphoto]

I think several manufacturers had that.

 

[mperry]

The mercury switch works perfectly well. When the hood is raised about 30 degrees the light toggles on... a whole 5W so mostly for checking oil.

Amazon sells LED trouble lights that hook to the battery and/or plug into the lighter socket. In pre-LED days I used to carry one of those for roadside emergencies. These days I used to carry a tiny LED flashlight but I kept using it elsewhere, never in the car/truck. I picked up some of those harbor freight magnetic lights when they were give-aways. I don't seem to lose those. I have a dozen scattered around the house and vehicles.

 

[4x4junkie]

There's been times I've had the hood up for hours (or occasionally even days) while working on something, I did the same thing (pull the bulb out because that was easier than disconnecting the battery and losing all my radio station presets).

Eventually I had enough burning my fingers on the bulb and decided to do this: