1967 Camaro with underhood light.

[Vince]

I had just finished installing a new battery in my '67 Camaro, started it to make sure the new battery worked, shut it off, closed the hood, and in the dark garage with just light coming in from the open garage door could see a reflection on the garage floor and looked thru the front grill and saw the engine compartment lit up.  The underhood light was still on with the hood closed.  Then the thought hit me:  no wonder the old battery had died; the underhood light burns all the time.  I had never noticed this before as I think it is a new situation as I've never had batteries run down before like this and die completely.  I looked all around the underhood area expecting to find a spring loaded plunger type system like is used between the doors and the dome light.  What mechanism is used to turn off the underhood light when the hood is closed?  I could find nothing that to me served this purpose.  Thanks guys for your feedback.   

[69Z28-RS]

It perhaps uses a gravity (mercury) switch ?

[Petes L48]

Is it original?  I know the trunk lights back in the day used a mercury switch, where raising the lid caused the mercury to move and complete the circuit, lighting the bulb. I think underhood used the same type of switch.

If it's an original 67 light with the one mounting screw hole, dont toss it out.  They seem to be very hard to find and not reproduced.  I saw a NOS one on eBay go for crazy money a few years ago.

[plumL78]

I paid 125.00 for an nos  67 one ten years back and felt like i stole it at that price.

[Vince]

Thanks guys for your responses.  It is original as far as I know; I know it only has one mounting hole in it.  I ended up disconnecting the wire from the bulb holder at the other end where it attached to a gizmo of some kind right near and just underneath the upper radiator hose.  I may get a kill switch too; those little gold battery circuit connectors with the green knob on top that attach to the negative post. 

[169INDY]

Funny, they were about $9.99 (GM) from Classic Camaro Parts in 1987.

Just a FLash back for me to share, 1981 Cruzing 6th AVE in Tacoma Wa & seeing the line up of BB Chevy's with the Under hood light glowing and reflecting on 396/427's  I was like a moth to the flame! SO I knew I needed a under hood light to illuminate my 396 when out on the strip

Now I just run it with out the inline fuse installed and get comments ALL the time how my Bulb must be burnt out.

Mine has a gravity merc.
 switch. Mine energizes at appx. 24 degrees of hood opening angle.

[Vince]

Jim,

Where is your gravity merc switch actually located? 

[169INDY]

Good question: I assume the "SWITCH" whether a merc or Steel ball I think it is in the Base of the light fixture.
Photo attached.
Reminder mine is a Owner addition 1980's.
BB Right-Pass side.

[Vince]

Thank you.

[plumL78]

67 are turned around backwards as compared to 68s and 69s

[169INDY]

Do you have a snap shot or clipping of the assy manual, I should have left the 68 outta the thread, I never knew there was an orientation difference, learning along the way.

[169INDY]

Well, I went and reviewed my 2019 MCACN pics and found a sample of a 1967 396/375 ELCO with Underhood light 67 style, single bolt and "Upside-down"