79 Interior Lights Work Intermittently
Thread Starter
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 28,530
Likes: 8,342
From: Clemson, SC
79 Interior Lights Work Intermittently
Hey guys, on my 79, the interior dash lights work about 70% of the time.
If I put the key in the acc position and the wedge bulbs come on, then they work once the car is started about 95% of the time. If In the acc position, they don't come on, then 99% of the time they don't work when the car is started.
Sometimes they'll blink for a second as the key goes past the acc position to the start position, but if they do that, they also don't usually stay on once the car is started.
When they don't work, it's all of them - dash, center console, HVAC, etc.
Is this a bad contact on the ignition switch or something else? If so, is it usually fixable by removing the switch and using some deoxit or does it require a new ignition switch.
Thanks for the guidance.
If I put the key in the acc position and the wedge bulbs come on, then they work once the car is started about 95% of the time. If In the acc position, they don't come on, then 99% of the time they don't work when the car is started.
Sometimes they'll blink for a second as the key goes past the acc position to the start position, but if they do that, they also don't usually stay on once the car is started.
When they don't work, it's all of them - dash, center console, HVAC, etc.
Is this a bad contact on the ignition switch or something else? If so, is it usually fixable by removing the switch and using some deoxit or does it require a new ignition switch.
Thanks for the guidance.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
My first thought would be the ignition switch. I have an 83 with a similar issue with the accessories (which include headlights, tail lights, wipers, cigarette lighter, etc). Half the time, they don't work after the car is started, sometimes they would quit working after a few minutes of driving. I eventually figured out that if I tap the key over a hair to the left after starting the engine, everything would work completely fine.
I'm not sure how this relates to your problem since you're only mentioning interior lights, but I figured it might be worth sharing anyway.
I'm not sure how this relates to your problem since you're only mentioning interior lights, but I figured it might be worth sharing anyway.
Thread Starter
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 28,530
Likes: 8,342
From: Clemson, SC
Thanks for the input. Yes, it's just my interior lights. I've tried jiggling the key in the ignition switch and moving it a little left or right while the car is running, but that doesn't make them come on if they didn't initially. I've noticed with those lights, when I start the car, the dash lights actually glow a little right when the car is started and then a second or two later is when they come on. If I don't see the glow, I know they're not going to come on after the start. It's almost like something has to energize that circuit.
I guess it's possible that where the interior lights wire is connected to the ignition switch that the wire is a little corroded or a little loose.
Is this another project to put on the list when I do the next pod removal or can the ignition switch wiring be accessed from underneath with the pod installed in the car?
I guess it's possible that where the interior lights wire is connected to the ignition switch that the wire is a little corroded or a little loose.
Is this another project to put on the list when I do the next pod removal or can the ignition switch wiring be accessed from underneath with the pod installed in the car?