Engine Cover - inside lamp question

[waweeks]

in my 89' carrera there's a small hella lamp mounted on the underside of the engine cover. It's also got a rolling metal cover, i supose to protect it from the heat of the engine.

I can't get it to come on. The bulb and contact areas look fine. However, I'm not sure I'm operating it correctly (i.e. do the lights have to be on, etc). Any suggestions on how this thing should normally operate and or on locating and checking wiring?

Thanks.

Wyatt

[buttjoint]

If you figure it out, let me know. It's the only thing on my car that won't work for some strange reason. JIM

[Series900]

Hmm i think the lights have to be on, bout the only thing its good for is seeing if there is an engine in trunk!

[911boost]

yeah I pulled mine out and removed the wiring. It was worthless and I thought it was just another possible fire waiting to happen.

[buttjoint]

Well, I found out what was wrong with mine, The ground wire(brown) was broken inside the fixture. And yes the headlights have to be on.

[TopsailBeach]

Headlights/parking lights must be on. Also, the contacts can be a little squirrely. Try pushing on the bulb a bit....side to side....rotating the bulb....and changing the position of the cover. I've disassembled mine and it still needs a little help every now and then.

[waweeks]

Thanks for all the great info!

My problem was not having the headlights on. Also found that the rotating metal guard over the light is another switch - when the headlights are on, the metal guard has to be turned open about a 1/4 of a turn before the lamp will activate.

the light was a little dim when it came on, so i popped out the bulb and scraped the contact points with a utility knife to remove oxydation and cleaned the glass on the bulb - it was way brighter after that. (side note - this 'refulbishing' technique also worked wonders for the OEM lighted keys)

Thanks Again!

Wyatt