1985 with interior light problem

I have a 1985 with a delay on the interior lights that is supposed to turn them off about 30 seconds after you close the door. problem is that they keep coming back on. friends tell me that there has to be a relay or a timer connected to the lights but I can't find anyone who knows if there is or, if so, where it is so I can replace it. as long as the battery is connected the lights keep going off and on at seeminly random intervals and drain the battery. can anyone tell me if there is a timer or relay that controls this? if so, is it something I can replace myself?

Don't know much about 85's, but have you checked the door switches for proper function? Does the radio turn off when you open the door? I have a Haynes manual here I'll see what I can find in the way of timers, etc.

Thanks, Rimmer. Yeah, a "corvette mechanic" I was referred to replaced the door switches. When that didn't work, he suggested pulling all the light bulbs or installing a switch to disconnect the battery every time I park the car. Needless to say, I won't be going back to that guy. I'm about at the end of my rope on this one, been trying to get an answer for several months now. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

It's not a relay, per se, but an electronic module. I believe it's OEM p/n 15985276, and should be located about here:

http://72.19.213.157/files/C4IPRemoval.jpg

IIRC, it feeds the theft deterrent module on a C4 so it does not operate the courtesy lights all on its own.

Disconnecting the battery every time will clear learned ECM data and may help your TPI constantly run like a box of turds. You'd be better off to temporarily remove the CTSY fuse.

Got this from a guy whose handle is Crewzin..If it's anything like my 87, it's the push/pull switch that turns on
the headlights. You just turn it and it brightens and dims the digital
dash and if you turn the dash up as bright as it will go, the next thig
that turns on is the door lights and the two lights on the dome.
***************

Don't know what's goin on. Every time I try to post a reply, I get routed to the logon page. But, I'll try again. Thanks for your replies. I'll take a look at the fuse but I think it controls a lot more than just the courtesy lights. Between the light switch and the module in the dash, I'll keep my fingers crossed that it's the switch. Since I don't do much of my own work, pulling the dash looks awfully expensive! Meanwhile, if anyone has had this problem and can tell me how they fixed it, I would be grateful!

Don't know what's goin on. Every time I try to post a reply, I get routed to the logon page. But, I'll try again. Thanks for your replies. I'll take a look at the fuse but I think it controls a lot more than just the courtesy lights. Between the light switch and the module in the dash, I'll keep my fingers crossed that it's the switch. Since I don't do much of my own work, pulling the dash looks awfully expensive! Meanwhile, if anyone has had this problem and can tell me how they fixed it, I would be grateful!

Here's something that may help with the location, courtesy of Agent 86

http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Court...20Location.pdf (http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Courtesy%20Light%20Timer%20Location.pdf)

Thanks, again, Rimmer. That diagram really helps a lot. Please pass my thanks along to Agent 86. Gotta keep this short hoping I don't end up back at the logon page again.

Help,

I have the same trouble with the lights staying on. I pulled the panel under the passenger dash but still can't find the DELAY TIMER. The link provided very nice drawings but I still can't find it. Any tips to how I can get to it?

Thanks!

I read in corvetteforum(s).com that you have to remove the 'breadbox', the dash pad on the passenger side. From what I read, it comes off with 4 bolts or screws. Haven't tried it yet. If you get a chance, let me know how it goes. Thanks.

Yea, That is what I have been seeing too. We couldn't figure out how to get the breadbox off. Removing the dash pad looked to be the first step but couldn't figure that out!