Underhood light problem on 2002 Buick Le Sabre

[John J Jones]

When I raise the hood on my 2002 Le Sabre, the underhood light doesn't come on. The bulb looks good and when I checked the voltage on the plug below the light assembly, I read 0 volts. I have been unable to find out which fuse is used for this circuit. I can't even find the underhood light mentioned in my user manual. I removed the covers from the fuse/relay blocks under the hood and under the back seat. After carefully reading the legend about each fuse and relay, I still don't know which one is used for the underhood light. I went to the local library and looked through the Chilton manuals and found nothing. I looked on the internet and found nothing helpful. I did find one posting about a 2001 Le Sabre with an underhood light that wouldn't come on. The responder said the parking and/or headlights must be on for the underhood light to come on. I tried both and it didn't work.
Even though I never use the underhood light, I am concerned because if the fuse is blown, it might also affect some other circuits that are not readily apparent. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

[polarzak]

Originally Posted by John J Jones

When I raise the hood on my 2002 Le Sabre, the underhood light doesn't come on. The bulb looks good and when I checked the voltage on the plug below the light assembly, I read 0 volts. I have been unable to find out which fuse is used for this circuit. I can't even find the underhood light mentioned in my user manual. I removed the covers from the fuse/relay blocks under the hood and under the back seat. After carefully reading the legend about each fuse and relay, I still don't know which one is used for the underhood light. I went to the local library and looked through the Chilton manuals and found nothing. I looked on the internet and found nothing helpful. I did find one posting about a 2001 Le Sabre with an underhood light that wouldn't come on. The responder said the parking and/or headlights must be on for the underhood light to come on. I tried both and it didn't work.
Even though I never use the underhood light, I am concerned because if the fuse is blown, it might also affect some other circuits that are not readily apparent. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

Your headlights have to be on for the underhood light to come on. At least that is how it is for my 00.
Sorry, I see you have tried that.

[stuzman]

Originally Posted by John J Jones

When I raise the hood on my 2002 Le Sabre, the underhood light doesn't come on. The bulb looks good and when I checked the voltage on the plug below the light assembly, I read 0 volts. I have been unable to find out which fuse is used for this circuit. I can't even find the underhood light mentioned in my user manual. I removed the covers from the fuse/relay blocks under the hood and under the back seat. After carefully reading the legend about each fuse and relay, I still don't know which one is used for the underhood light. I went to the local library and looked through the Chilton manuals and found nothing. I looked on the internet and found nothing helpful. I did find one posting about a 2001 Le Sabre with an underhood light that wouldn't come on. The responder said the parking and/or headlights must be on for the underhood light to come on. I tried both and it didn't work.
Even though I never use the underhood light, I am concerned because if the fuse is blown, it might also affect some other circuits that are not readily apparent. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

I'm at work right now and don't have my factory manual accessible at the moment. I'll take a look in it this evening and see what fuse/etc. controls the light.

[John J Jones]

I want to thank everyone for your replys. I also posted on a GM newsgroup and someone answered my question. Here is a copy of his post.

The wiring diagram shows that your underhood lamp is lit when the parking
lamp relay is energized (headlight switch in PARK or ON or whenever
headlamps are on). The parking lamp relay contact then provides power
straight from the battery to the 10-amp DIMR fuse in the rear fuse block
(located under the rear seat on the left side) then to the instrument panel
lamps, the underhood lamp, and both license lamps. There is no separate
dedicated switch to turn on the underhood lamp. (end of post)

I said I had tried it before (headlights ON) and it didn't work. I must have done something wrong. This time I started the engine, put the car in PARK, turned on the parking lights and checked that the license lamps were on. Then I raised the hood and the underhood light came on. There is a mercury switch near the light. I could raise and lower the hood and at about the midway point, I could see the light go on and off.
Once again, thanks for your help.