Lights: Auto Trans [and headlights MERGED]

[RammJaeger]

I was driving my Delorean in the dark the other day and noticed it was real hard to see what gear I was in because there was no light under the gear indicator (where you have the P, N, R, 2, 1). Is there supposed to be a light there? If so are they tricky to replace, is the part hard to find?

[Ozzie]

I've seen it in the schematic and I believe that I've seen the 12v feed (unused) under my shifter plate as well (mine is a 5 speed).
You'll probably find a blown bulb, once you remove your shifter plate.

[DMC5180]

Yes it does. I believe it's BA7 base type like the setup on the back of the A/C panel lights. It is powered by a KEY-ON live feed (meaning it's ON all the time) regardless of Headlights. (btw you could also play around with an LED option.) the advantage being low current and NO heat.

Disclaimer: I don't have an Automatic and don't know everything involved with lifting the Black console plate in that application. As in, you may need to take the shift lever cover apart to lift the center plate. Bulb/sockets should fit into the lower quadrant housing.
20198

In theory Its not hard to replace. Unscrew the 2 screws at the back edge of the Console/shifter plate. Look under the left side and you should see the GRN/White wire and Black wire going into the (Slide IN) light receptacle that fits in the bottom of the black housing.

[Jonathan]

Yes, it should. Here is a photo of what you will see underneath.

20197

[RammJaeger]

Great thanks for the picture. Do you happen to know a part number that I could use to find that bulb with?

[RammJaeger]

Nice looking car. Black interior, automatic... just my type :)

What's going on there with your headlight switch?

One of the previous owners apparently rigged up a switch for the headlights (presumably after the original switch stopped working). I've already ordered a proper headlight switch from DMCH which should be arriving via UPS Monday and it will be installed this week.

From what I can tell various internal lights don't work (dome lights, shifter light) as well as the light in the engine bay. I tried replacing the bulbs for the dome light and engine bay but no luck. I wonder if the rigged headlight switch could be part of the problem, or if they are unrelated?

[DMC5180]

Dome lights are on an independent circuit from the headlights/park lights. It would be odd for both dome lights to be burnt out. The lens (rocks back-N-forth as a 3 position switch) (manual ON)-OFF-(ON w/door open) and is also on the door light, trunk light, engine bay light circuit. If those items don't work Check your fuse 12 position. The Original Plastic FRAME lights are known to be flimsy and had the tendency to melt internally and loose switching ability. If they have never been replaced that could be your problem. Pry the housing out of the locations and check the bulbs first though If they look good you will need to check for voltage on the purple wire. All solid BLACK wires are grounds in the Delorean.

[Jonathan]

One of the previous owners apparently rigged up a switch for the headlights (presumably after the original switch stopped working). I've already ordered a proper headlight switch from DMCH which should be arriving via UPS Monday and it will be installed this week.

From what I can tell various internal lights don't work (dome lights, shifter light) as well as the light in the engine bay. I tried replacing the bulbs for the dome light and engine bay but no luck. I wonder if the rigged headlight switch could be part of the problem, or if they are unrelated?

Hi Ramm,

Roger. Glad to hear you've got a headlight switch on order. That item there might have been something seen in a different light not long ago in your "are DeLorean parts hard to find?" thread.

Getting interior lights working is a nice thing to start on in getting familiar with your car. The circuitry really isn't overly complicated. You may indeed find something creative a previous owner did, but that's okay because those kinds of things can be better to find now and return to the way they were intended to be on your schedule. Check out the fuse and relay area schematic in the resources section and compare it to your setup. In fact, perhaps take a few photos of this area (behind the passenger seat under the removable plywood piece in the corner of the parcel shelf) and post them here and we can help try to spot anything that doesn't necessarily belong. If you have a number of lights or items all problematic and they end up being on the same fused power, you might discover a fuse getting replaced fixes it up for you. Let us know.

EDIT: Too slow again! What Dennis said! :)

[DMC5180]

Great thanks for the picture. Do you happen to know a part number that I could use to find that bulb with?

It's a rather oddball bulb which may be hard to find locally. You can either get one from a DMC vendor the next time you place an order or get one from here: http://www.britishwiring.com/BA7-Bulb-p/cllb281.htm

[RammJaeger]

Hi Ramm,

Roger. Glad to hear you've got a headlight switch on order. That item there might have been something seen in a different light not long ago in your "are DeLorean parts hard to find?" thread.

Getting interior lights working is a nice thing to start on in getting familiar with your car. The circuitry really isn't overly complicated. You may indeed find something creative a previous owner did, but that's okay because those kinds of things can be better to find now and return to the way they were intended to be on your schedule. Check out the fuse and relay area schematic in the resources section and compare it to your setup. In fact, perhaps take a few photos of this area (behind the passenger seat under the removable plywood piece in the corner of the parcel shelf) and post them here and we can help try to spot anything that doesn't necessarily belong. If you have a number of lights or items all problematic and they end up being on the same fused power, you might discover a fuse getting replaced fixes it up for you. Let us know.

EDIT: Too slow again! What Dennis said! :)

I'll take a picture when I get the car back from the shop. I've got them fixing the AC right now (in GA you don't want to drive a car with windows that small and no AC) :) I did look at the fuses and it didn't look like the fuse for the dome lights or engine bay lights was blown. I also checked the bulb for each, and even put a new bulb in each. For the dome lights I'll check if they are in the right position when I get them back (I just learned yesterday about rocking the light to turn it on). Thanks for all the insights guys!

[Jonathan]

Do you happen to know a part number that I could use to find that bulb with?

Ummmmm.... no, actually. And I honestly didn't realize it would be that difficult to locate it on the parts pages. I'm curious myself when someone can chime in on what it is too. I couldn't seem to find it anywhere I looked. Bizarre! :)

[Dangermouse]

I just looked at mine and confirmed it is a BA 7.

I have also just received my order of BA7 LEDs from Superbrights, one of which was earmarked for this location.

[flux3d]

Just an idea but wouldn't it be really easy to wire in a couple of strips of those surface mounted leds down either side of the shifter. You can get a reel of the 12V smd type fairly cheaply and they can be cut to size and have a self adhesive back to them as well.pretty easy to write in as well. brighter. less power and heat.

[DMC5180]

This is the bulb that would be used in the quadrant backlighting.

http://store.delorean.com/p-7800-bulb-ac-fascia-quad.aspx

[Ron]

This is the bulb that would be used in the quadrant backlighting.

http://store.delorean.com/p-7800-bulb-ac-fascia-quad.aspx
I could be wrong, but IIRC they are shaped the same but the one in the quadrant was physically smaller when I changed mine.

[DMC5180]

I could be wrong, but IIRC they are shaped the same but the one in the quadrant was physically smaller when I changed mine.

Possible I guess, but the socket and bulb shown in the photo above, sure looks like all the A/C panel illumination,door lock/,fan fail and rear window defrost indicators.

[Jonathan]

Possible I guess, but the socket and bulb shown in the photo above, sure looks like all the A/C panel illumination,door lock/,fan fail and rear window defrost indicators.

I don't have my console all apart still in order to confirm, but yea, they do look all about the same.

20199

[refugeefromcalif]

I have problems with my 2 interior dome lights sometimes.
In my case the bulbs and power are Good but, The rocker lights are very "Touchy" with the Exact position where they work properly.

George

[DMC5180]

I have problems with my 2 interior dome lights sometimes.
In my case the bulbs and power are Good but, The rocker lights are very "Touchy" with the Exact position where they work properly.

George

George, Do your light assemblies have metal frames or Plastic ones? If metal, they are the DMCH (Hella) Replacement units. I have not heard about any real problems with them. The Original Plastic ones are junk.

[refugeefromcalif]

George, Do your light assemblies have metal frames or Plastic ones? If metal, they are the DMCH (Hella) Replacement units. I have not heard about any real problems with them. The Original Plastic ones are junk.

Dennis, they are the plastic ones. (Pics below).

They work like their supposed too, (All 3 positions), just Touchy about getting them in the Exact place to work.

Sorry for the OT post.


http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=20208&d=1372625977



http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=20209&d=1372626062


George

[DMC5180]

Yup, the Flakey Originals. At least it still works. You have the OEM textured bulb too. Usually the plastic ones get hot over time Warping the the contact arm with the brass roller on it. Then it starts losing its contact point. My advice to you would be replace them with the metal frame type and and save the plastic ones for concours judging.

[Elvis]

Try the Peugeot 205 (or many other older Peugeots) dome lights, they fit with a little
work and the regular position (lights on when doors open) is with the switch flat.


just as an example:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Orig-Peugeot-205-Innenbeleuchtung-Innen-Beleuchtung-/110712561192?hash=item19c6fb9e28

[Farrar]

Just an idea but wouldn't it be really easy to wire in a couple of strips of those surface mounted leds down either side of the shifter. You can get a reel of the 12V smd type fairly cheaply and they can be cut to size and have a self adhesive back to them as well.pretty easy to write in as well. brighter. less power and heat.

That's what I did. Had to cut a slit in the plastic to mount it, but works great.

Note: white LEDs will turn the green writing bluish.

[DeLorean03]

That's what I did. Had to cut a slit in the plastic to mount it, but works great.

Note: white LEDs will turn the green writing bluish.

I like that idea. You just cut a small slit in the bottom of the lower quadrant and mounted the LEDs on the sides? That's awesome. Get rid of that inferior BA7 and install a small strip of LEDs with quick-disconnect bullet connectors connecting your wires together. That's my thoughts. I would love to try that down the road.

[dvonk]

That's what I did. Had to cut a slit in the plastic to mount it, but works great.

pics or it didnt happen. :fu:

[Farrar]

I like that idea. You just cut a small slit in the bottom of the lower quadrant and mounted the LEDs on the sides?

Not quite. I just slid an LED strip in there. The LEDs face up, but are far enough away from the transparency to where you don't see any "hot spots."

I'll see if I can figure out which box of parts it's in.

[Ryan S.]

Not quite. I just slid an LED strip in there. The LEDs face up, but are far enough away from the transparency to where you don't see any "hot spots."

I'll see if I can figure out which box of parts it's in.

pics would be nice.