'77 Courtesy Light Delay Timer

[Binnie Langley]

Does anyone know of a source for this? It looks very much like a signal light flasher (has 3 prongs). It plugs into the courtesy light wiring harness and is taped to the harness between the speedo and tach up on top where only God can see it. They are available for '78 and later but not for '77. Any help in locating would be much appreciated.

[Joe L.]

Re: '77 Courtesy Light Delay Timer

Binnie-----

The courtesy lamp timer was the same for both 1977 and 1978. So, if you have a source for the 78 timer, then you have a source for the 77. The original part number for the timer was GM #461294. Later, this was replaced by GM #10132879. Unfortunately, both parts are now discontinued from GM. They may still be available, though, from their original manufacturer.

[Binnie Langley]

Re: '77 Courtesy Light Delay Timer

Thanks Joe...The ones I see advertised for '78 are rectangular and have a different pinout than the correct one for '77.

[Joe L.]

Re: '77 Courtesy Light Delay Timer

Binnie-----

I'm pretty sure that the 2 years were the same. The advertised ones are very likely a replacement part and not an original, so the configuration might very well be different. In fact, I fully expect that the original and the replacement GM part number that I mentioned in my last post were differently configured parts. If you're after an originally configured part, you'll have to go used or seek out NOS, which will be difficxult in the latter case. But, if you are more interested in functionality, I'd go with the advertised part.

[Joe L.]

Addendum and Correction

Binnie-----

Ok, I think that I've got this one figured out now. The courtesy lamp timer was the same for 1977 and 1978-----at least, sort of it was. Here's the deal:

All 1977 Corvettes used courtesy lamp timer GM #461294. Apparently, for 1978 the 461294 timer was also used EXCEPT for cars which had the RPO ZX2 convenience group which included the delayed dome lamp feature. Cars with ZX2 used courtesy lamp timer/control GM #463498. Since ZX2 was installed on about 80% of 1978 models, the 461294 timer would have been used on only about 20% of the cars built for 1978.

In any event, the GM #463498 timer/control is the "rectangular-ish" part that you've probably seen advertised. It's not surprising, either, since that part is still available from GM for a list price of about 51 bucks. It's easy to get as long as you've got 51 bucks, or so.

The GM #461294 timer, used for all 1977s and about 20% of the 78s, is the "roundish" unit that you described. As I mentioned, it's long since discontinued and even it's replacement, which was likely not of the original configuration, is also discontinued. So, this part is not so easy to get. Other than a used source, I don't know where you could find one. I'll bet that even Dr. Rebuild is out of these and that's a VERY bad sign. When he's out of something, it's a desperate situation.

[Craig S.]

Re: Addendum and Correction

An interesting anomalie on this thread was I once owned a 1977 corvette we purchased new in August of 1977 (1Z37L7S441367) which was one of the late 77's built, and it came with several features of the 78 model, including the later timer you mention, that has the dome light delay feature, it also had the problematic alarm switch built into the drivers door, I remember the sun shining on the lock would heat it up and set the alarm off if armed, so we never used it. If I recall correctly, it also had the flag emblems over the gill areas, versus any Stingray naming. I think they were playing with the transition items in the factory in August.....Craig

[Tom R.]

Re: '77 Courtesy Light Delay Timer

Binnie:

Nice work!

[John H.]

Re: Addendum and Correction

Trivia - we used to call these "pull-aheads" (where next year's part was brought in early, before model change), and the opposite were called "lag-alongs" (where the new part was incorporated late, after new model launch). Kept the floor specs guys busy, and, of course, were only documented locally as Engineering-authorized deviation notices (not ever shown in the A.I.M.)

[Craig S.]

Re: Addendum and Correction

John - I suppose these then fall into the category of having to proove originality to to judge, since it is viewed as incorrect. Just one of those things where restoration gets rid of originality!....Craig