Engine Compartment Light issues

[jgiotto]

New to the Reatta, my engine compartment light does not go on when the hood is opened. Replaced the #89 bulb, no dice. Turned the dimmer switch all the way to hard on, nothing. Any help is appreciated, it's a 1989. Is there a mercury switch?

Edited December 24, 2018 by jgiotto (see edit history)

[Ronnie]

Welcome to the forum! Have you tried turning on the ignition switch while the hood is open?

[jgiotto]

Ronnie, thanks for the quick reply. Not sure if I had it in accessory or on position. I thought by have the dimmer full-on it would activate the hood light, but it didn't work.

[Ronnie]

I just checked and I was wrong about the ignition switch. On my car I have to turn on the exterior lights for the engine compartment light to come on. 

[jgiotto]

Thanks Ronnie, I will give it a try.

[jgiotto]

You were spot-on, Ronnie, you need to have the lights on, then the engine compartment bulb lights. Seems counter-intuitive, since when looking under the hood could mean engine trouble, and you wouldn't want to drain the battery by running your headlights.

[91vert]

I am not 100% sure on this but I believe you only need the parking lights on, or possibly the 4-way flashers, which would make sense.

 

Cal.