Courtesy Lights Not working...
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Pompano Beach, FL
Courtesy Lights Not working... Courtesy Lights
I have a problem with my courtesy lights none of them will go on when the door opens or trunk opens.. All the fuses as well as the bulbs are good. Funny thing is I can manually turn on the map lights in the mirror so I know they work but like I said nothing goes on with the dimmer switch or when the doors are open. Any Suggestions?
Thanks, Dave
I have a problem with my courtesy lights none of them will go on when the door opens or trunk opens.. All the fuses as well as the bulbs are good. Funny thing is I can manually turn on the map lights in the mirror so I know they work but like I said nothing goes on with the dimmer switch or when the doors are open. Any Suggestions?
Thanks, Dave
I have had the same problem for 3 years and I recently spent a small amount of time at my shop looking at it. I found that if I manually send ground to the lights they will work... but they stay on even with the doors shut so since I suck with electrical I gave up lol. I wonder if the BCM has anything to do with this since a hot and ground gets sent out of it to the lights.
I hope someone who knows what the hell they are doing has figured this out because it would be nice to be able to see in the trunk at night!
I hope someone who knows what the hell they are doing has figured this out because it would be nice to be able to see in the trunk at night!
It's the BCM, had the same issue with mine. From what I know, the solder issue is related primarily to issues with the radio and power windows.
On a related note, is there supposed to be a light in the trunk?
On a related note, is there supposed to be a light in the trunk?
So did you have to replace the bcm or were you able to fix it?
The light in the trunk on a convertible is attached on the back side near the trunk latch, I dont know if its the same on hard top f bodys.
The light in the trunk on a convertible is attached on the back side near the trunk latch, I dont know if its the same on hard top f bodys.
I found a used BCM from a wrecked car for $10, dealer wants around $300 for a new one. If you get a used one, get a key with it, or the VIN and documentation that the car is no longer licensed. Dealer will need that info to make you a key, or else you can to the vats bypass with the resistors.
I looked into repairing the BCM, but did not find any info on how to fix it.
Please post a pic of where the light is supposed to be in the trunk.
I looked into repairing the BCM, but did not find any info on how to fix it.
Please post a pic of where the light is supposed to be in the trunk.
Trending Topics
If you have the key in the trunk, the light would be on the inside in the exact same position. It snaps into the gray fabric trim piece that wraps around the back edge of the trunk....at least that's how it is in the 98 vert.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo BTW - Mine has been like this for a few years as well. I took the car into the shop and when I got it back the dome lights no longer worked. Dealer denied it happened on their watch so not much I could do.
I had enough free time at work that I was curious so I pulled the BCM and found the resistor that he is talking about, got the number and called around to find a new one before removing the old one but no one had it.
Its easy enough to find them online by searching google.
Its easy enough to find them online by searching google.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Pompano Beach, FL
I had enough free time at work that I was curious so I pulled the BCM and found the resistor that he is talking about, got the number and called around to find a new one before removing the old one but no one had it.
Its easy enough to find them online by searching google.
Its easy enough to find them online by searching google.
Thanks!
I definitely will, I will take some pictures of it if as well so you know exactly which one to replace.
I ordered the Transistor just have to wait for it to arrive. I cannot wait to be able to see in the car at night again lol.
I ordered the Transistor just have to wait for it to arrive. I cannot wait to be able to see in the car at night again lol.
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Courtesy lamp failure? Especially if you have a convertible that has 5 lamps instead of 3 like a t-top car has. My lamps quit whether you open the door or use the dash switch. If this happens, it's most likely the ground side circuit of the BCM module. Inside your module you will find a transistor with a heat sink (the only one in there with a heat sink). It's actually an FET made by international Rectifier rated at 8 amps. Replace it with a BUZ71A FET rated at 13 amps. I've replaced two of them in two different cars so far, and so far, so good! They cost about two dollars and not two hundred dollars like a new BCM costs,that you have to program! You will need to unsolder your old transistor and solder the new one in so if you can't do it, find someone who can. It's a CHEAP fix! Best wishes, Vertie
I have working interior lights!!! Man its the little things that are so awesome sometimes. I now have working courtesy lights and tonight I really appreciated it when I needed to find something in the trunk. 
Here are some pictures of the transistor that will need to be replaced. It was very simple to do just kind of nerve racking since I do not have a very steady hand from all the years of working on cars.
I ordered the transistor off of Ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/290761213450...84.m1497.l2649
It arrived 3 days after I won so I highly recommend this seller.
BCM (obviously) lol
Buz71A 13amp transistor
Location of part on board and if you do this I recommend getting some desoldering braid to pull the old solder out after you remove the transistor so you have clean holes to fill back in, not totally neccesary but helpful.
View of the back to show you the 5 points that will need to have the solder removed, 3 are for the transistor and the other 2 hold the heat sink on.
I cant believe I waited 3 years to finally fix this problem.
Here are some pictures of the transistor that will need to be replaced. It was very simple to do just kind of nerve racking since I do not have a very steady hand from all the years of working on cars.
I ordered the transistor off of Ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/290761213450...84.m1497.l2649
It arrived 3 days after I won so I highly recommend this seller.
BCM (obviously) lol
Buz71A 13amp transistor
Location of part on board and if you do this I recommend getting some desoldering braid to pull the old solder out after you remove the transistor so you have clean holes to fill back in, not totally neccesary but helpful.
View of the back to show you the 5 points that will need to have the solder removed, 3 are for the transistor and the other 2 hold the heat sink on.
I cant believe I waited 3 years to finally fix this problem.
Much simpler to just fix yours, pull it and take it to a cell phone repair shop they can solder in the part for you shouldnt be more than $25 for the labor
and the part is like $3.