2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Storage Bin and Ash Tray lights

[GMills]

Bought the truck used and the storage bin and ash tray lights have never worked. The voltage when the lights are turned on goes to . 34 volts. Turn them off and it goes to zero. Voltage is the same at ash tray and storage bin. Have check wiring and it is original, uncut. I'm thinking a bad ground, but cannot tell by the wiring diagram where I should look. Any similar probs out there or suggestions?

 

[rfcom]

According to my 02 schematics, the ashtray, radio lights and cupholder light are all fed from the same circuit through the panel dimmer controller. They each have individual grounds. Do the other panel lights dim correctly? Does the radio light dim correctly? If you can get to the light sockets, it should be easy to check for ground continuity with an ohmmeter. On the ashtray light, the orange is power and black/orange is ground.



Jim

 

[mwilson]

Just went through this on my 98. 5. Mine is keyed power, not with

the dash lights. Check it out. Also make sure you put in 161 bulbs, not 194's or you will melt the green bulb covers.

 

[GMills]

Thanks! Keyed power. Who'd thunk it. Whats the diff between the two light bukbs?

 

[mwilson]

Here it is- 161 bulb = 1 candlepower

194 bulb = 2 candlepower

168 bulb = 3 candlepower



Sorry about the delay responding to your question, been a busy week so far.

The keyed power thing is strange for sure. That sure shortens the life of those two bulbs. I didn't think that any lights were in there and had bought a couple of small lights to install in cupholder. Went to put them in and found light holder already in there. Power thing took me a few minutes to figure out, never expected that.

Mike