[V8] Instrument and license plate lights issue - with fix.

[James Bass]

Just thought I'd share a recent V8 electrical troubleshooting
experience which may, hopefully, help someone later on...

So, last year, I was driving the V8q while working finish control at
the 100 Acre Wood rally (www.100aw.org), when I had a wacky issue crop
up - when the headlights were on, instrument lights were not operable,
AND the license plate lights were also inoperable, AND the "lights on"
warning buzzer was not sounding.  I figured it may have been some jolt
on the bumpy gravel roads out there, but I was convinced that a mouse
family decided to make a nest out of my wiring harness somewhere.  I
thought this, because in the past, I've seen mouse homes built on the
air cleaner, and we have a LOT of mice out here where I live (rural
area)...

When I got home, I looked for anything obvious, and the 5A fuse was
blown.  Ok, I pop in another, just to see, it pops too.  So, obviously
there was a short somewhere.

I dreaded looking for this short, recalling my thought of the
mouse-induced fiasco to come, and let the car go for a year with the
problem, still dreading to work on it.

Finally a month or so ago, I decided it was time to fix this.
Dedicating the day, I started by logically thinking it through.  What
does that fuse -FUSE-?  Okay, looked - instrument lights - dead,
license plate lights - dead.  Glove box light - dead.

I decided, for some strange, random reason, to pop the glove box light
out, and start there.  ...which was where the problem was.  The metal
contact for the "tip" of the bayonet bulb was slightly "bent over"
touching the OTHER contact - causing the short.  Popped out the bulb,
straightened it out, and all is well.  Glad it was simple!

Just thought I'd "seed" this in everyone's mind, in case anyone
encounters that in the future!  Hopefully someone won't go through V8
life without instrument lights due to fear ;)

--j