simple question: dome light - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

matthufham · 01-12-2007, 05:57 PM

i keep burning bulbs every few days, maybe up the fuse size a little?

Aarons72s · 01-12-2007, 07:32 PM

Are you talking about you keep blowing the fuse or the bulb? If it is the fuse keeps blowing check for a short along the sill plate, they like to ground out there. If it is the bulb keeps buring out quickly. No help. You could have got a bad batch of bulbs.

49studebaker · 01-12-2007, 07:44 PM

Ya, Like Aaron said, the fuse doesn't make any difference. Maybe they are not a bad bunch, just the wrong type for your application.

corn · 01-12-2007, 09:32 PM

Are they 6 volt bulbs? No clue if they would blow, just an idea...

jimmydean · 01-12-2007, 10:59 PM

I just took a look at mine and it works! I've had this truck for over a year and I had no idea there was even a bulb in there. I turned it on be accident

jeffspower · 01-12-2007, 11:17 PM

I'm almost certain you have a poor ground. High resistance in a ground circuit will do it every time, same is true for any light bulb. Do you have door jamb switches? they are the most likely culprit. If no jamb switches, only the headlight switch turns them on, I think the ground for that circuit is a wire with an eyelet grounded under the dash somewhere. Maybe someone else on here can chime in exactly where it is. Poor cab to battery groundpath could do it too.

68C15 · 01-13-2007, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffspower

I'm almost certain you have a poor ground. High resistance in a ground circuit will do it every time, same is true for any light bulb. Do you have door jamb switches? they are the most likely culprit. If no jamb switches, only the headlight switch turns them on, I think the ground for that circuit is a wire with an eyelet grounded under the dash somewhere. Maybe someone else on here can chime in exactly where it is. Poor cab to battery groundpath could do it too.

high resistance would equal to low current (dim bulb). I am with the bad bulb/wrong bulb group.

mr402 · 01-13-2007, 01:12 PM

I agree with most of the other comments. Lot's of good things to check. Just DON'T increase the size of the fuse. The fuse is sized for the wire used. To big a fuse and a short down the line could result in a melted wiring harness or worse.

centsless · 01-13-2007, 02:04 PM

A poor or loose ground that is intermittantly making a connection could be causing a rapid fluctuation in current flow, which could lead to rapid bulb failure. I think I would try a different bulb first. Make sure it is a 12v bulb, and get a different brand. If it still does it, check and clean your door jamb switches.
Bob

matthufham · 01-13-2007, 04:34 PM

well after putting a new bulb in, the headlight switch and door jamb switches activate it. the fuse is good. the bulb will be burned within a copule days. i'm not sure on the bulb, the part # is what's mentioned in the book, and the last bulb came from a ford f150 my friend has.

01-12-2007, 05:57 PM	#1
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	simple question: dome light i keep burning bulbs every few days, maybe up the fuse size a little?

01-12-2007, 07:32 PM	#2
Aarons72s Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 10,669	Re: simple question: dome light Are you talking about you keep blowing the fuse or the bulb? If it is the fuse keeps blowing check for a short along the sill plate, they like to ground out there. If it is the bulb keeps buring out quickly. No help. You could have got a bad batch of bulbs.

01-12-2007, 07:44 PM	#3
49studebaker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Victor, Montana Posts: 386	Re: simple question: dome light Ya, Like Aaron said, the fuse doesn't make any difference. Maybe they are not a bad bunch, just the wrong type for your application. __________________ 04 4x4 GMC Ext. Cab lifted 71 2wd GMC / Ramjet 350 ready for sheet metal 49 Studebaker pickup

01-12-2007, 09:32 PM	#4
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: simple question: dome light Are they 6 volt bulbs? No clue if they would blow, just an idea...

01-12-2007, 10:59 PM	#5
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: simple question: dome light I just took a look at mine and it works! I've had this truck for over a year and I had no idea there was even a bulb in there. I turned it on be accident

01-12-2007, 11:17 PM	#6
jeffspower Well, Whoop-dee-do! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Easton, Mo. pop.- me & scarcely a few others Posts: 2,302	Re: simple question: dome light I'm almost certain you have a poor ground. High resistance in a ground circuit will do it every time, same is true for any light bulb. Do you have door jamb switches? they are the most likely culprit. If no jamb switches, only the headlight switch turns them on, I think the ground for that circuit is a wire with an eyelet grounded under the dash somewhere. Maybe someone else on here can chime in exactly where it is. Poor cab to battery groundpath could do it too. __________________ '68 GMC shortbox 4x4 350/SM465/T221- bought it in '83 SOLD '72 K20 500 Cad/TH400/NP205 SOLD '92 Chevy 2500 6.5 mech TD 4L80E crusty daily driver '72 Monte Carlo... sweet low mile toy '11 Dodge Challenger IE 392 6spd... midlife car

01-13-2007, 01:12 PM	#8
mr402 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Elmira, Oregon Posts: 449	Re: simple question: dome light I agree with most of the other comments. Lot's of good things to check. Just DON'T increase the size of the fuse. The fuse is sized for the wire used. To big a fuse and a short down the line could result in a melted wiring harness or worse. __________________ Enjoying life again. Time to get those big blocks rolling.

01-13-2007, 02:04 PM	#9
centsless sufficiently talented fool Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Forest Hill, MD Posts: 2,231	Re: simple question: dome light A poor or loose ground that is intermittantly making a connection could be causing a rapid fluctuation in current flow, which could lead to rapid bulb failure. I think I would try a different bulb first. Make sure it is a 12v bulb, and get a different brand. If it still does it, check and clean your door jamb switches. Bob __________________ "it's impossible to be surrounded by idiots when you are part of the circle" 2003 Suburban 2002 Pontiac Montana 1981 Corvette 1966 Impala Convertible Click here to support the board

01-13-2007, 04:34 PM	#10
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	Re: simple question: dome light well after putting a new bulb in, the headlight switch and door jamb switches activate it. the fuse is good. the bulb will be burned within a copule days. i'm not sure on the bulb, the part # is what's mentioned in the book, and the last bulb came from a ford f150 my friend has.



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