DIY underhood light and switch???

[78RS_to_112SS]

Has anyone found a switch that the underhood lights come on when hood opens and where do you locate it?

Yes I tried search and could not find
Yes I went through PAGES of DIY's and did not locate

Any help appreciated... Thanks

[The Stig]

if you want the lights to automatically come on when the hood is opened, then your best bet would be a mercury switch

[78RS_to_112SS]

Kool, that must be what I am looking for...

Has anyone done this yet? What does this look like? Where would I install it?

[The Stig]

You'd install it somewhere on the hood where it's out of sight. Basically, whenever you tilt it (ie open the hood) the mercury moves to one end and completes the circuit.

[2SSRS]

I have a member coming up at the end of the month that wants this to, i will let you know what i come up with.

[MARINE1991]

Originally Posted by 2SSRS

I have a member coming up at the end of the month that wants this to, i will let you know what i come up with.

[Bornluckee13]

maybe a push button switch that is open when depressed mounted so when the hood opens, it extends and completes the circuit. this maybe:http://compare.ebay.com/like/2609683...Types&var=sbar The mercury switch would be effective, but I would worry about parking on hills, acceleration, ect. Although, your grill flashing everytime you put your foot down would be sick

[2SSRS]

I got one from my dealer now to make it fit.

[GearHeadPeter]

What you need is an SPDT micro switch like this one. No need to worry about how the car is parked. This is the same type of switch that is used by car alarms for the hoods.

http://www.amazon.com/Miniature-Snap.../dp/B005CRLX0C

[Mikes SS]

You can also use a door jamb switch, they are cheap and can be found at any auto parts place. Simple and easy to install just drill a small hole set it in and either thread the hole or find a nut to secure it.

[78RS_to_112SS]

The push button switch came up in a conversation I had earlier today also. Keep the ideas coming...

[Saint Alban]

Similar to what GearHeadPeter said, I was thinking of doing this myself, but using a normally closed momentary switch like these.


When your hood is closed on the switch, it breaks the circuit. Open it up and it completes it. A mercury switch is cool too, but I'd feel like, if I drove fast enough, it would complete the circuit lol.

[dekan513]

ill tell u what i did and has worked for a few months now i ran my ground to the hood latch and and when the hood is down the latch is open so when u open the hood the latch hits the back part of the latch and makes it ground ill take some pics tommarrow and show u

[78RS_to_112SS]

Originally Posted by dekan513

ill tell u what i did and has worked for a few months now i ran my ground to the hood latch and and when the hood is down the latch is open so when u open the hood the latch hits the back part of the latch and makes it ground ill take some pics tommarrow and show u

Sounds interesting...

[1hotchevy]

Im going to just put a push button switch in so that i manually turn it on or off, so that at car shows the light wont be on or anytime i dont need it like when detailing...

[78RS_to_112SS]

brings up a good idea.

Is there a wire we can connect to tht the light would come on when open the hood and would go out after 30 minutes so the battery does not drain? Are there not other "timed" functions on these vehicles?

[Saint Alban]

Originally Posted by 78RS_to_112SS

brings up a good idea.

Is there a wire we can connect to tht the light would come on when open the hood and would go out after 30 minutes so the battery does not drain? Are there not other "timed" functions on these vehicles?

If you tap into your parking lights (halos or side marker lights), they go off after about 10 minutes if you leave them on and turn your car off.
Although, if you're using LEDs to light up your engine, you could leave them on all night before it really drains your battery.

[Eskilachi]

Did you come up with an idea for this? I have the same issue. However I will be getting a remote box for some other lights that I have, but I´m not sure if I can plug this light into the same one, since it´s a different brand LED (or does that not matter??)

[SemyDaCop]

This is what you need and its adjustable , just drill a small hole near the hood latch and run the wires through the wall ...then just hook the wires to the battery and a light and thats all you need. You will hook your ground wire to this...since it will be a ground switch.It is a plunger type switch. On and off when you open and close the hood.

[Eskilachi]

What is that called, if you don´t mind me asking? Never seen that before. Thanks for the quick reply!

[SSYNRS]

I hard wired a small toggle switch inside a project box
(both from Radio Shack) and used a Fuze-Tap for power.

Mounted the unit up front so I can flip when I open the hood.



note - switch is on the side of the small box so it cant be seen but it can easily be flipped.

[SemyDaCop]

Originally Posted by Eskilachi

What is that called, if you don´t mind me asking? Never seen that before. Thanks for the quick reply!

Dome light switch...it was made for earlier model vehicles...you can find them in almost any auto parts store.

[Kent2010]

IIRC, the underhood light for a 2005-2009 Corvette has the mercury (tilt activated) switch built into the light itself -- just a power and ground wire hookup, and you're GTG -- no external switches or sensors needed; its all in the little lightbox unit. I seem to remember checking out the angle at which it activated by slowly lifting the hood whilst peering underneath.

Might want to check it out. Just make sure you mount it in the correct orientation on the underside of the hood or it wont turn on when the hood is open. You can give it a temporary power and ground wire before you mount it, and tilt the lightbox in your hand to see at what angle it turns on and off. Not all C6's had the underhood light in later years, so Corvette vendors do sell "upgrade" kits.

Cheers,
Kent

PS: make sure you check for clearance for your chosen light mounting position so you don't crush the lightbox when you close your hood! :0

[SwayNV]

Originally Posted by SSYNRS

I hard wired a small toggle switch inside a project box
(both from Radio Shack) and used a Fuze-Tap for power.

Mounted the unit up front so I can flip when I open the hood.



note - switch is on the side of the small box so it cant be seen but it can easily be flipped.

That looks absolutely amazing...