CUTLASS Success! Little blue light works again!

[DB87442]

Replaced the bulb for the headlight switch indicator today. The technology that was used when the car was designed fascinates me! A regular bulb placed in a sealed canister connected to a fiber optic line attached to the headlight panel. Most probably don’t think it’s as cool as I do and maybe think, why go to the effort for something so small, but it’s all in the details for me! This has made my day!

 

[Froggys86]

Replaced the bulb for the headlight switch indicator today. The technology that was used when the car was designed fascinates me! A regular bulb placed in a sealed canister connected to a fiber optic line attached to the headlight panel. Most probably don’t think it’s as cool as I do and maybe think, why go to the effort for something so small, but it’s all in the details for me! This has made my day! View attachment 206125

What wire goes to it

 

[403Olds]

I did this a few years ago also. It's an interesting 80's engineering feat. The OCD in me wanted to see it working again.

 

[Gwarren79]

Good job!!

 

[Froggys86]

I did this a few years ago also. It's an interesting 80's engineering feat. The OCD in me wanted to see it working again.

Trying to do the same but nlt too certain of which wire plugs into the headlight switch....

 

[69hurstolds]

There's a gray "pod" (IIRC, it's gray) up under the dash with a fiber optic line going up to a little clip which clips into the back of the headlight switch housing. Inside the pod is a T10 style, 192 bulb, similar to the 168 bulb. Although the 84 CSM doesn't even mention it, the bulb is a 192 (3 cp) based on the Toronado fiber optic call out. You can put a 168 (3 cp) in there and it will do just fine. It's there so you can see where the headlight switch is when you start the car at night since GM thought it was a great idea NOT to illuminate the headlight switches in the G-bodies.

Electrical service manual shows the ground for it, but doesn't show the power supply, so not sure of the power source. It has to come from an ignition source, however.

BTW, the GM part number is 9433143 superseded to ACDelco L168, p/n 9425542, which is a 168 bulb.

 

[ELCAM]

Trying to do the same but not too certain of which wire plugs into the headlight switch....

This is the switch with the fiber optic cable and the light bulb cover. In the wiring harness there will be the socket for the light bulb that this cover snaps into and I think the bulb is powered by the pink with black stripe wire (circuit 39).

 

[86LK]

I tend to read too fast sometimes and my mind fills in the "blanks" of words I skipped over so sometimes I need to go back and re-read. this is one of those occasions. "Success! Little blue pill works again!" wait, what?

 

[Froggys86]

This is the switch with the fiber optic cable and the light bulb cover. In the wiring harness there will be the socket for the light bulb that this cover snaps into and I think the bulb is powered by the pink with black stripe wire (circuit 39).
View attachment 213746

What does the connection look like at the end of bulb cover...sorry to ask, I don't think mine has anything at end

 

[ELCAM]

If you take the gauge cluster out it should be on the left side coming from the main harness.

Sorry crappy Picture is all I have.