Electrical Question

Icey1174 · 06-01-2007, 03:45 PM

I know electrical questions are hard to get help with online because most electrical problems are unique to each car...

I have a few different cars and different auto makers do things different with their cars. When I open the driver door to my 944 the "gong" dings whenever the driver door is open, with or without the keys in it. I am thinking that is not normal, or is it?

The engine compartment light has gained my interest too. I have all the lights working but that one. I discovered today that it does work. It only works when the parking lights or headlights are on. The strange thing is that it does not turn off once the hood is closed. UNLESS I have the wrong switch for this light. I found a plunger type switch near my fuse box, inside the engine compartment and next to the brake booster. I am guessing that is it.

So... these are the last two strange things I have going on electrically. Everything else works just fine now! I still get a quick drain on the battery, but I'll work on that later. I think it has to do with my aftermarket radio and amp.

Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions??? And ditching it and buying a 944 with no electrical problems is not really an option.

toolboy62 · 06-01-2007, 04:19 PM

nope, sounds like your ignition switch is seeing your key inserted all the time.

As for the underhood light, there is no switch. the pin switch you describe is for the alarm.

Now can someone tell my why my temp. gauge is resting on the cold end of normal but my fan is running? (I believe the engine is really hot; it's still over 80 degrees here at 8:20 PM) I have another temp/fuel gauge, but sheesh, I just got the gauge panel back in after fixing the oil pressure gauge! I'm starting to think my car is sliding towards "POS" status no matter how I try to keep ahead of the curve...

nate

Icey1174 · 06-01-2007, 04:33 PM

Come on Nate! It can't be that bad! Where is the switch for the engine compartment light??? The light only comes on when the headlights are on, is that normal with these cars?

I''l have to look at the ignition I guess... I did see one stry grey wire under the dash with no home.

kenincalif · 06-01-2007, 06:39 PM

Not sure if things changed over the years but I know the engine compartment light on my 1988 924 has a mercury switch built into the base of the lamp socket so that it turns off when the hood is closed...

Icey1174 · 06-01-2007, 08:02 PM

Thanks Ken, I'll look into that...

ERAU944 · ERAU944's Garage

i know my under hood light only came on when i had the parking lights or headlights on, i don't think that's out of the norm.

Icey1174 · 06-02-2007, 05:55 AM

Thanks Mike. That's the answer I was looking for.

Now to get rid of the "gong" when the driver side door is open with no keys in the ignition.

nynor · 06-02-2007, 06:08 AM

the under-hood light only comes on if the headlight switch is switched on for parking lights or headlights.

Baza · Baza's Garage

Just thinking outside the box here if the gong worries you just remove it or the wires attached to it. (cost effective) As to the light in the engine bay mercury switch here mine only comes on when the parking lights or headlights are on with the hood raised.

Icey1174 · 06-02-2007, 02:08 PM

That gong thing is built right into my relay. I could go look, but I think some other things might run through there some how some way. I did remove that relay before when I was cleaning the tracks on the driver side window.

Besides, I would rather fix it then just shut it up. I'll have to dig around some when I get some time. It's on the Things To Do List, but it is near the bottom. I am building a small pile of parts that need to get on the car first. Since they are already paid for and are taking up space on my desk.

Thanks for the input guys! Ideas and suggestions are ALWAYS welcome!

Icey1174 · 06-02-2007, 06:22 PM

UPDATE:

Hood light working great with the lights on.

The GONG also dings when the car is running and the driver door is open. I'll dig into a wiring problem later. Any quick ideas or past experiences?

jcommin · jcommin's Garage

Dave,

The hood light only works when the parking lights are on. I thought this was strange too. I have had other cars that have a switch that senses the position of the hood. If the hood is up, the light is on. I guess when you really think about it, the only time you need a light on is at nightime.

I'm struggling with this gong thing. I here nothing when I open my doors.