79-85 Rivs

[jase386]

do these posts go away after a certain time? or is my Riv too old for the forum?

NO one ever replies when i ask a question.

Does anyone know where to get the carriage lights for a 79-85 Riviera, or do they know where the transformer might be located so i can mod my lights so they will work. Please reply with any info

thanks

[tman]

There are very few older rivieras left, and even fewer computer literate owners, and fewer than that: you're probably the only one to stumble upon AF owning the car that you do. Sorry about that.

[OldBlue2004]

Yank,
I just bought a 1995 Riviera and stumbled upon Chris Riviera websight at http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...234&i=90796201 . I get at least 50 emails a day from the largest Riviera website in the world. I am trying to solve some minor problems on my car. Also, I found a beautiful body 1976 Riviera two weeks ago. That car was a yacht. Rivs are fickle, but ther are alot of enthusiasts who do there own work. As for me, I go to a certified mechanic, and he is dumbfound. BTY, I sold of a 1995 Impala for this ride.

OldBlue.

[saljo]

I believe that's the same website that I came across: http://www.redeemer.on.ca/~cknowles/ It has everything you would ever want to know about a Riviera and a lot of links for parts for restoring one. I think you might find what you are looking for.

[mark1950m]

Jase386,

I don't know if the lights are still available from GM but if they are, expect to pay a small fortune for them.

The lights are built with the transformer attached to an oval shaped foil by two leads. This is backed by a solid brassy oval. I don't have one in front of me so this description is only from memory. The transformer is encapsulated by a hard glue-like (epoxy) substance in the cylindrical part of the housing that fits into the C-pillar.

I've been trying to find out how the lights operate, but haven't been successful. I can't find any information on them yet.

The voltage appears to be d.c. which means the coil is saturated and won't cause an increased voltage to appear at the output as an a.c. voltage would do. This means the transformer won't be a step-up transformer. It's possible the light works like an electro-luminescent device but I need to study this more. I noticed in another of your posts that you said they operated on 110 volts. Where does this voltage come from? If it is stepped up from 12v there needs to be an oscillator in the circuit. If the oscillator isn't working that would be another reason why they don't work. (Mine had corrosion) Please let me know where you found this info.

My uncle owns a showroom perfect '84 and he replaced his lights with standard low output bulbs and a socket.

I know this isn't much info but maybe it will help.

Enjoy your Riv,
Mark

[mark1950m]

Back again.

The lights are definately electro-luminescent. I thought they might be a long time ago when I saw that they were made like a capacitor. Now I know for sure.

I'll trace the wiring out to locate the oscillator or pulse generator and get back soon.

Hope you check in soon.