Interior lamp delay (not)

[Rich]

There's a lamp delay circuit for the interior lights. When the second door is shut those lights are supposed to dim out after a short delay, right? The ones on my car don't and a new lamp delay relay (#5) from a D. vendor has no effect. Close the second door and the lamps go out immediately.

It's not a huge problem - they go on and off with the doors opening or closing. Just no delay-upon-close.

I see nothing in the lamp circuit diagram besides the relay that should affect the delay-time function.

So the two questions are
a. Are the interior light supposed to dim some time after the second door closes? 5-10 seconds, maybe?
b. If so, how do I revive this function?

[Chris 16409]

I was going to ask if you are using LEDs for your interior lights, but it seems your lights are turning off when you close the doors. The LED lights will not turn off if the delay relay is installed. Maybe you have a bad diode or something (if that would even cause a problem).

[Rich]

No LED's.

[Soundkillr]

I was going to ask if you are using LEDs for your interior lights, but it seems your lights are turning off when you close the doors. The LED lights will not turn off if the delay relay is installed. Maybe you have a bad diode or something (if that would even cause a problem).

If you put one regular bulb in the rear light area and use one led in the front, the lamp delay/dim feature will still work. Using both leds will not be enough draw to activate the relay...

[dhaney]

If you put one regular bulb in the rear light area and use one led in the front, the lamp delay/dim feature will still work. Using both leds will not be enough draw to activate the relay...

Best choice for getting the dimmer to work plus some additional features is to go here...

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze109dmk/

and order the dome light dimmer.

It has 3 Modes...
Mode 1:
A. Not only dims the lights it allows you to choose how long they stay on before they dim after door is closed.
B. It also will if you close the doors before the lights dim.... wait for it... act like a new car and when you shut the key off BEFORE the door is open... turn the lights on!!

Mode 2:
Boring but useful... power saver mode after 20 minutes of a door, bonnet or engine cover being open it will disable the lights until you close what ever was left open... good for car shows, or working on your car, if you are still running incandecent bulbs...

Mode 3:
Parade Mode your lights will flash on and off so when you run down the street with the doors open everyone can see the sparkly lights...

Comes with excellent instructions for operation and is fairly straight forward to install.

Dan

[DMC5180]

The OEM units are very random at best and for all practical purposes USELESS.

With a little coaxing from me, Dave M. designed a great replacement unit a couple years back well worth the money IMO.

[Rich]

The OEM units are very random at best and for all practical purposes USELESS.

Thanks. That answers my question.

It would be nice if the dome lights would stay on for a few seconds after the doors shut, the way they were intended to. My guess is that this lamp-delay technology was a little new at that time.

I can live without the lamp delay enabled. I know where everything is in there - even in the dark.

[outatym2001]

rwipfler
In my DeLorean the
Interior lamp delay is zero second with both interior lamps illuminated.
Interior lamp delay is 13 seconds with one interior lamp illuminated.

Open then shut your door within ten seconds to activate the delay feature.

If you leave the door open for more than ten seconds then shut it the delay feature is cancelled.

Page 12 of the DeLorean Owner’s Handbook.
The two interior lights incorporate a three position switch within the lens assembly.

Forward Switch Position: Light operates when either door is opened. In this position a delay until will cause the lights to remain on for approximately 10 seconds after the door is closed.

Center Switch position: Light will remain off regardless of door position.

Rearward Position (as illustrated): Light will remain on indefinitely.

DeLorean Owner’s Handbook.
Part P2205011. Owners Manual. $15.00