85 FB

Okay, I didn't think to take a picture of it but this has been bugging me when I installed a new exterior door handle. Upon taking off the door panel and looking inside the door, I notice a clip with wires leading off of it screwed onto the door handle. I think the wires led down to the lock cylinder but now I cannot remember.

Anyone know what that part is and what it does?

Mazdax605

iTrader: (5)

I believe it is a system that if you pull on the door handle while it is locked it will illuminate the key cylinder so you can find it easier in the dark.I am not sure if it was only a GSL/SE option or all of the later model cars.I am guessing the lamp is burned out,and therefore not illuminating the lock cylinder.Others may be able to weigh in on this part.I hope I helped.

Chris

85 FB

Yes, thanks, that was also my only guess. My lock cylinder DOES light up, but I never gave it any thought. I figured it only happened when the driver side door opened up only. But, I'll have to give it a try while the door's locked. Thanks.

64mgb

iTrader: (1)

Mine lights up when the door is unlocked...seems backwards to me. Can someone verify when it's supposed to light?

Thanks,
Rich

Rx Seven

iTrader: (12)

I think its supposed to light up when you unlock the door. So at night when you unlock the door from the out side or whenever you can easily find the ignition.

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

Try pulling up the handle first.

85 FB

Err, I just realized I wasn't highly specific with my statements regarding the lock cylinder. I meant to say the wires in the door handle I *thought* ran to the door lock cylinder. And, in my next post I should have said ignition lock cylinder lights up. Oh well, I'll still give a tug on the door handle before I unlock it to see if it lights up. It does make sense. Thanks guys.

64mgb

iTrader: (1)

Yea, that's what I think too. It doesn't make sense for it to only light up when you pull up on the door handle when it's unlocked, but I'd like to hear from someone that knows for sure before I go trying to figure out what's wrong.

Also, I think the light on the ignition switch is tied to the same circuit as the door lock light, so they both light at the same time.

Rich

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

The door handle is tied to the light ring around the ignition switch.

85 FB

I just tested it this morning. Door locked, pulled on the handle. Ignition cylinder did not light up. Driver door has to be opened in order to light it.

64mgb

iTrader: (1)

That's how mine works, but doesn't make sense to me. Well, the ignition cylinder light makes sense I guess, but it's tied to the light in the door lock cylinder and it doesn't make sense to me to light that one only when the door is open. I think it would be far more useful for it to light when the door is locked and the door handle is pulled up.

Seems like something the British would come up with LOL

Rich

darkfrost

iTrader: (1)

On my 7, when you pull up the door handle when it is locked, the keyhole lights up to prevent you from scratching up your door at night. Then, once the door is opened, the steering column cylinder light turns on to guide you to the ignition lock.

Isn't that how its supposed to be?

64mgb

iTrader: (1)

That sounds more correct...are you absolutely certain yours works that way? if so, I'll start troubleshooting mine to see why it doesn't work that way. Not a big deal but it bugs me when things don't work right.

Thanks,
Rich

85 FB

I don't even think my lock cylinder has that ability, with a light up ring. I have never seen anything around it that would resemble that either. But, then again, when I bought this car, the door side lock cylinder was replaced and is obviously not flush. So, maybe the original is supposed to be like that but this one obviously isn't.

64mgb

iTrader: (1)

According to the wiring diagram, the door lock cylinder light and the ignition cylinder light are wired in parallel, which means when one is opn, they are both on...when one is off, they are both off.

Rich

64mgb

iTrader: (1)

Just to be clear, there is a small light directly above the ignition switch in the steering column and another on the driver's side door lock cylinder. The one in the door is mounted on top of the lock cylinder on the inside of the door and is visible from the outside of the door because the small rectangular flap that gets pushed aside when you insert a key is made of some sort of translucent plastic. The bulb has a green "shade" over it, so the light appears green.

Just want to make sure we're all speaking the same language.

Rich

85 FB

Nope, my door is plain as can be with only the handle and lock cylinder. When I looked inside the door, I saw nothing of a light, nor a flap. Maybe it's on other models and not GSL-SE's. *shrugs* But, then again I'm not aware of what each trim level offered.

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

Another reason I like my SA, less electirc gizmos to go wrong. Less weight and less filling too!

64mgb

iTrader: (1)

Here's what the driver's door lock cylinder looks like on mine.

Rich

85 FB

I think that's what mine looks like but then again I didn't pay close attention when I had the panel off. Oh well, when I go to replace all of the lock cylinders with a new set, I might take a closer look. But, I do know there is no flap or anything for a light to emit through.

ray green

iTrader: (14)

A friend of mine with an 85 GS told me about this light but after driving three different GSLs over the last five years, I've never noticed it (but then, I haven't looked either). I can't wait till it gets dark so I can go out and see if it works. If it does, I'll report back on how it works - mines an unmolested stock 84 GSL so it may still actually work the right way.

Ray

64mgb

iTrader: (1)

All "normal" car locks have this "flap"...this is why pictures are so important. On our cars, this flap is translucent plastic so the light can be seen.

Rich

85 FB

Oh that kind of flap. I thought you were talking about an actual exterior flap over the lock cylinder. No, I highly doubt my cylinder has that. Like I said, the driver's side was replaced, so probably with a simple stock no frills kind.

ray green

iTrader: (14)

OK, I saw the translucent flap, but no light, nothing on both GSLs with batteries in them. The ignition key light comes on. So, maybe I got a bunch of burned out bulbs, like three in a row? Now I want that light to come on, bastards.

Ray

64mgb

iTrader: (1)

Here's what the light looks like. I broke a wire on mine so had to replace the bulb. I happened to have some laying around from my old stereo repair days. I had to slice the rubber bulb holder to get the old bulb out and the new one it, but it gets pinched back together when it's installed on the cylinder clamp.

Rich