What the heck is this thing ??
 

Ok Stupid question of the day. What the heck is the little part inside the engine bay ? It sits in front of the fuse box on the 85.5 and up models. Its black and has a button on the top that you can push down.

Hood open switch. Turns on the engine compartment light (bulb hanging from hood) when you open the hood and headlights are on.

Close, it is the alarm switch

you need the lights on to turn the hood light on

AFJuvat

Leave the hood open a couple of days. AF's description is spot on.

Ask me how I know......

I always thought my switch was broken.

Changed the bulb, no go.

Ohm metered the switch, just fine...

No light.

Gave up.


Checked under the hood with the lights on at a gas station one day...

BINGO............felt dumb.


Too bad many of us don't have the owners manuals still in our cars.

wait, you have to have the headlights on? Somebody else feels dumb, too. I'll check that tonight.