Hood light won't turn off.

[sandmann999]

Anyone know what causes the hoodlight to turn off when the hood is shut? My hood light won't turn off (it's one of the 20 foot retractable cable hood lights). I have to unplug and plug it in every time I want to use it.

 

[Seabronc]

If it is the kind that has a retractable wire, it has a weighted switch where the wire goes into the unit. It is probably corroded and stuck. Try taking it apart and freeing it up. I have put mine on a switch inside the truck so it won't come on unless I want it to.

Good luck,

>-

 

[sandmann999]

If it is the kind that has a retractable wire, it has a weighted switch where the wire goes into the unit.  It is probably corroded and stuck.  Try taking it apart and freeing it up.  I have put mine on a switch inside the truck so it won't come on unless I want it to.
Good luck,

>-

32140[/snapback]

​

I was figuring on just putting in a flip switch. However, how do I open the unit up? It is rivetted shut.

 

[351windsorbronco]

I was figuring on just putting in a flip switch.

 

[sandmann999]

i just disconnected mine and then when i need it i hook it back up because the plug is right on the wire about 9 inches down the wire
but if you want to take it apart just drill out the center of the rivits and put new ones in once finished

32145[/snapback]

​

Yeah, that's what I'm doing now is just unplugging it and plugging it back in. However, if I do take it apart, are there things I need to know ahead of time? Like springs that'll go flying, etc...

 

[Seabronc]

I fixed mine by drilling out the rivits. Then I used some small nuts and bolts to put it back together. I also have a switch under the dash and ran a set of wires from it thru a firewal gromit, snipped the wire to the light and spliced in the switch.

Good luck,

>-

 

[lawman212]

Heck mine won't come on unless I have the parking lights or head light on. Is that the it should come on?

 

[sandmann999]

Heck mine won't come on unless I have the parking lights or head light on. Is that the it should come on?

32279[/snapback]

​

Sounds like it might be wired wrong, mine comes on at any time (just doesn't turn off when the hood is closed like it should.)

 

[Seabronc]

Heck mine won't come on unless I have the parking lights or head light on. Is that the it should come on?

32279[/snapback]

​

It is hooked to the wrong circuit. That will wear your battery down pretty fase if you are broken down and working on the side of the road at night. There is a connector on the driver side that they are supposed to hook to. However, that one is hot at all times so the stupid light comes on any time the hood is open. Like I said in a previous post I added a switch so it soesn't come on unless I want it to.

Good luck,

>-

 

[sandmann999]

Alright, I opened the light up. Looks pretty simple except that a piece broke when I opened it. I tried soldering it back together, but it turns out that soldering copper isn't as easy as it should be.

However, how does the light turn on when the hood is opened? I don't see any moving parts, or parts that normally would have moved. The positive comes in and has a clip on the end of it (the part that broke off) and it goes around a bullet shaped piece that goes into a clip. I've attached a picture.

 

[sandmann999]

Alright, I opened the light up. Looks pretty simple except that a piece broke when I opened it. I tried soldering it back together, but it turns out that soldering copper isn't as easy as it should be.

However, how does the light turn on when the hood is opened? I don't see any moving parts, or parts that normally would have moved. The positive comes in and has a clip on the end of it (the part that broke off) and it goes around a bullet shaped piece that goes into a clip. I've attached a picture.

I figure that if all else fails I could just clamp the positive wire coming in to the positive circuit in the light and then wire in a switch, but I like to make things work as they originally did. If anyone can help me figure out how the internals of this work (AND how to solder copper together), I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[Seabronc]

I do believe that little silver thing has mercury in it, just like a household wall thermostat. So when you lift the hood it makes contact to the hot lead. From the looks of it I don't think you can repair it. Just solder to the wire that goes to the light and put a toggle swithc on the dash or just plug it in when you want it to work.

Good luck,

>-

 

[sandmann999]

I do believe that little silver thing has mercury in it, just like a household wall thermostat.  So when you lift the hood it makes contact to the hot lead.  From the looks of it I don't think you can repair it.  Just solder to the wire that goes to the light and put a toggle swithc on the dash or just plug it in when you want it to work.
Good luck,

>-

32407[/snapback]

​

Thanks for the info. I just soldered the positive wire on and bypassed the mercury switch and then installed a little switch right by the hoodlight. Works great.

 

[firelt90bronco]

look for a switch on the retractible light or pull the bulb