can the tilt switch be fixed/taken apart, and or is a new one available?

 

Stan (Mr. Merlin) had a write up on repairing the switch, try search, it was a couple of years ago.

 

saw that. i have two merc switches, and i have cleaned them real good... nothing. if i shake them real hard, i get a slight amount of connectivity........ but not on its own....

 

also make sure the mounting screw into the hood is good.


no ground can cause the lamp to not function,
the mercury switch seems to work well if the contacts are clean,
add some dielectric grease to all surfaces
also swap in a new bulb as it will have cleaner contacts

 

I was testing the switch with a multimeter and tipping it back and forth.... Maybe it needs voltage?

 

IIRC, I think the engine compartment light is powered from the parking light circuit. At least that's the way it works on the '85. HTH.