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06-04-2008, 05:58 PM
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lighted ignition switch
I didn't want to jack anybody elses thread, so out of respect and to be polite I thought it best to post a new one.  After following three recent threads for the past few days, I started wondering about a lighted ignition switch and do I have one in my car. Hmmm.... well whaddaya know, that's what those little connections are!!! With an original little light bulb even! Yea!!  All these years and didn't even know it was there, but of course its not connected to anything.
So, what wires does this actually connect to? Anybody have a picture of one that is connected and what the connector looks like? Does it stay lit the whole time the car is running, or is it on a timer along with the courtesy lights?
In this picture previously posted by Podio, I have pointed out one connector at the top, is this supposed to be connected to the seatbelt buzzer? At the bottom, that's exactly what I found too. From what I understand, the light shines out through the keyhole. I would like to try and get this lit up and see how it looks. I'm thinking maybe if I don't like the light through the keyhole look, I'll try and fab up a dark green trim ring that will glow like the trim ring around my cigarette lighter.
Thanks in advance. |
06-04-2008, 06:04 PM
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Location: Northern NY, USA
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K, first off, a trim ring won't do anything as the light is designed to shine literally through the key hole proper.
A little will bleed out the side, but with the rubber trim ring in place, you'll never see it. (however it you were to replace the rubber trim ring with a colored translucent plastic....)
One tail ties to ground, the other is connected into the curtesy light circut so that it comes on when the door is opened and goes off with the timer.
Just regular plugs for the connection (individual, not one plug w/two wires, and IIRC are insulated/isolated w/black plastic covers) and you may even find them wadded up somewhere along the column or under the clamshell.
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06-04-2008, 08:36 PM
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 Quote:
Originally Posted by Tifosi
...however it you were to replace the rubber trim ring with a colored translucent plastic.....
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tifosi
One tail ties to ground, the other is connected into the curtesy light circut so that it comes on when the door is opened and goes off with the timer.
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Kinda figured that is how it should be. Just wanted to make sure.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tifosi
Just regular plugs for the connection (individual, not one plug w/two wires, and IIRC are insulated/isolated w/black plastic covers) and you may even find them wadded up somewhere along the column or under the clamshell.
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Curious, do you think the black covers are the same as what was used on the original speaker wire connectors?
No luck finding the wires in there ready to go. I did find one yellow wire just hanging there and not connected to anything. It was spliced into another yellow one which goes directly to the fuse box and may possibly run to a relay, hard to see. May have to run a couple wires.
Also that other connector (the one at the top of the picture) coming from the ignition switch is just dangling there not connected to anything. Is that for the seatbelt buzzer?
Thanks for your help Tifosi.
Lynn
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06-05-2008, 12:02 AM
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Quote:
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Also that other connector (the one at the top of the picture) coming from the ignition switch is just dangling there not connected to anything.
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If it were for the 'key in ignition, don't walk away dummy' buzzer, they wouldn't have a connector end like that (they are seperate leads), are a smaller than standard gauge, and have itty bitty female bayonet plug receivers, one ever so slightly larger than the other, and a kind of rubbery 'slip cover' that slides over the contacts after the connection is made. (and prolly be a much shorter set of wires too, as the buzzer is like 3 inches away form the ignition switch)
I tried taking a pic of my switch lit up, but apparently my camera isn't sensitive enough.
With your eyes you can definitely see the illumination, but the camera just wouldn't bring it.
Quote:
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Curious, do you think the black covers are the same as what was used on the original speaker wire connectors?
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Dunno as I don't ever recall seeing those connectors (Graduate, no audio) however the ones that go on the climate control illumination hood are quite simular in shape but not neccisarily size.
I suppose if you cannot find the leads (mayhaps papajam has a diagram that covers that?) you could tie into the existing curtesy lights, or for that matter, the circut that goes to the door buzzer. (that way the light would come on when the door was open, and go off immediately when the door was closed)
Or, as a totally seperate circut that operates like above by grounding at a door switch and running the positive via a convenient 'all the time' hot wire in the back of the fuse panel.
BTW, that bulb in there is the same one that gets used in the climate control hood (1x), the heater fan rocker switch (2x), and the turn signal indicator hood (1x) between the pods. And I think the cigarette lighter illumination (1x) also.
Anyway, it's not a rare bulb and it can be found at all the autoparts stores. (p# floating around the forum somewhere)
If you look, you'll see a little tab lock that holds that gray bit on to the cylinder housing. Release it and the plastic cover will come off allowing access to the bulb. You'll likely need needle nose pliers or tweezers to get hold of the old one as it's kinda down in there. (straight pull, no twist)
Last edited by Tifosi; 06-05-2008 at 12:57 AM.
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06-05-2008, 12:49 AM
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Ahhh, here we go:
P# 2721 at Advance Auto parts (Sylvania 1.2W, two pack)
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06-05-2008, 10:14 AM
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Thanks again and thanks for trying to get a pic.
I'm thinking I'll go the "keep it simple stupid" route and tap into the timed light circuit. I don't think I want to have it lit all the time, not that you'd see it with the key in there. Having it go on and off, with the door open or closed probably wouldn't work for me either. For some reason I have the habit of closing the door and putting on my seatbelt before I put the key in the ignition and starting up the car. That extra few seconds of having the lights on after is the perfect amount of time especially at night.
__________________
'87 Series 3
Last edited by shadowburn; 06-05-2008 at 10:16 AM.
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06-05-2008, 10:46 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shadowburn
For some reason I have the habit of closing the door and putting on my seatbelt before I put the key in the ignition and starting up the car.
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'84 manufacture - '85 MY Spider Graduate 
