While changing my oil and rotating the tires today, I decided to fix the underhood light. In the future I may add some LED's like Lancethedance did. I wasn't able to submit in the write-up section, guess I have to be a moderator.

This same light is used in many models over many years. The culprit was the gravity switch. Check your bulb and for 12V power at the top of the switch before cleaning.
To clean the interior of the switch you will need: small flat screwdriver, pliers, razor blade, 10 mm socket(not pictured), volt meter, WD40 and canned air.


To start, unplug the light, take off the cover, then remove bulb and 10 mm bolt.


The switch is the small bullet shaped brass piece with a copper pin inserted in the plastic cap on the bottom. Inside is a steel ball. When tipped into an upright position the ball contacts the side of the brass chamber and the copper pin, closing the circuit. Mine was corroded internally.

Pry up the switch from the top to remove.


Using a razor edge and a flat screwdriver the copper pin can be pulled out partially, then removed with pliers.






Couldn't get a good picture of the ball inside.

Kind of dirty, pic was taken in the middle of cleaning.

WD40 is probably not the best cleaning agent, it's what I had on hand and did the trick.


Blast the residue out with canned air. I bent the nozzle up and held a shop towel around the bottom, there was a lot of fluid inside.


Replace pin and switch in housing. Check for continuity with ball in the bottom of the chamber. Reinstall.






Doesn't put off much light, though I'm the type that likes everything to work. Now I'll have the option to use the switch with a relay for more lights.

 

Doesn't put off much light, though I'm the type that likes everything to work. Now I'll have the option to use the switch with a relay for more lights.[/QUOTE]

I like you want everything to work too. Mine works like 99% of the time. Nice write up. Might go in there and do what you did. Came across this and for the $13 might just buy it and hopefully call it a day.

 

Nice write-up on this subject with photos very well done.


A mod can move it to the proper place I'm sure.

 

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/su...rite-up-11151/

 

Great!!

 

I considered that before I opened it up. It's not much more work to clean the switch. That and I had time at the moment to do it.

Good to know. Just submitted a revision.

 

thx, will give that a try