Courtesy Lights

[Dan D.]

My question of the day: 57 courtesy lights have p/n 3721641 extension wires that connect the lights to the harness. Mine are cobbed up real bad (Bubba for sure) - one has cloth covered wire, other one is PVC, all are soldered and taped to the main harness. While the wires are real bad, the lights themselves are in good shape. CC shows the extension wires as M/F spades, about 6" long, light green color and what appears to be clear sleeving on the female spades. This doesn't sound correct. Being electrical I can make all the wires - I just need to know the correct configuration. As always, I appreciate your help. -Dan-

[Roy B.]

Re: Courtesy Lights

My 55 are cloth covered and about 4" long , don't see why 57 should be different (long) but I've seen PVC too.

[Dan D.]

Re: Courtesy Lights

Hi Roy, I know cloth covered wire was used throughout 1954 and probably 1955. I think the change over to PVC occurred around 1956, but I could be wrong on that.
Also, I think the change over to PVC was a phased in thing as the inventory of cloth was used up. I have a 1956 Chevy passenger car radio and that has cloth wire throughout.
While my 57 is mostly PVC, things like the horn wire in the steering column is cloth.
I also think courtesy lights were added to my car by a previous owner. I was looking today at the holes for the door switches and they are not drilled round. It looks like an oblong file job. Pretty bad. If passenger car courtesy lights are the same, that could be where mine came from. But I don't know if passenger is the same. Regardless, I am just trying to find out what my 57 should look like. -Dan-

[Roy B.]

Re: Courtesy Lights

There are knowledge 57 owners here and some one will respond

[Dan D.]

Re: Courtesy Lights

Hey guys - I still need some help on this one. Let me specifically ask the questions I need answers for:

1. What color are the courtesy light wires.
2. How long are they.
3. What gender is the spade connectors.
4. What color are the extension wires.
5. How long are they.
6. Are they M/F spades and do they have sleeving on one end.
7. Do they look anything like the ones on Corvette Central.

Thanks guys -Dan-

[Roy B.]

Re: Courtesy Lights

Show us C&C's.

[Alan W.]

Re: Courtesy Lights

Dan I hope this helps!!!!
Pictures worth 1000 words.
Call Lectric Limited 708-563-0400 or www.CorvetteElectrical.com

Let me know if you need anything else.

vin 6155

Alan

[Alan W.]

Re: Courtesy Lights

Couple more photos.
The connectors are the same as you have in your wiring.
Notice the over spray on the connector. Wow judges are going to have to work harder......

Alan

[Gary C.]

Re: Courtesy Lights

The overspray that Alan mentioned was on the side and outside portion of the interior firewall insulation. A quick shot of blackout was made so no bare fiberglass was visible on the interior firewall. Gary....

[Dan D.]

Re: Courtesy Lights

Thanks Alan, this is what I need. I just did not think that the green leads and clear/translucent sleeving was factory, but apparently it is. Also interesting is the light socket leads appear to be cloth - I thought by 57 all would be PVC. Apparently not - my horn wire is cloth also. It looks like the light socket leads are both black - correct? -Dan-

[Alan W.]

Re: Courtesy Lights

Gary is on it again !!!!! DING DING DING
The light sockets are cloth covered and are a skin tan color.
The black wire is going the the door switch.
I can email you more pictures if it helps.

Alan

[Dan D.]

Re: Courtesy Lights

One more thing Alan, if you could. The extension leads look like they may be bullet connectors and not spades. I can't tell from the photos as the sleeving hides them. I may have to buy these - I just did not want to. Trying hard to do as much as possible by myself, and keep as much as possible original, but it is a daunting job. -Dan-

[Alan W.]

Re: Courtesy Lights

Dan the clear covering is bullet and the white square connector is spade.
If you look at the harness in your car they are the same connectors used in the main harness. Both the spade and bullets.

Alan