Under hood lamp

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

I took the chance and hooked up my underhood lamp. I've left it off as it was that way when I got the car, and thought it might have "stayed on" and ran the battery down. Now it will flicker but not keep on. I've used electrical cleaning spray and a screwdriver to push it in and out, but it still won't light up and stay on. Any thoughts?

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Is the reflector screwed tightly to the hood?

[TJ Hopland]

Most common control method for those was a mercury switch so if the bracket was bent it could be on when you don't want it to be.

[Jon S]

Try bending the housing slightly to make it more vertical when the hood is fully open. It should go out closing the hood 1/2 way. Good luck!

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Good point. If the bracket is bent downward the angle might not be great enough for the mercury to make contact. If the screws are loose enough, the same thing can also happen which I've seen many times.