Was there ever an engine bay light?

[PAExplorerXLT]

I was poking around today and saw a plunger switch next to the air filter housing. Sure looked like a light switch but don’t see any lights anywhere.

 

[1998Exp]

This switch is for the theft protection system.

I was poking around today and saw a plunger switch next to the air filter housing. Sure looked like a light switch but don’t see any lights anywhere.

 

[PAExplorerXLT]

This switch is for the theft protection system.

Why is it under the hood? It is not doing anything anyway.

 

[corkey]

it's the disable for a remote start if there is one,,

 

[colintrax]

Second gens have an underhood light

 

[PAExplorerXLT]

Second gens have an underhood light

Where would it be?

 

[lorraine1]

well i have a 98 and it doesnt have one,i guess some did and some didnt?

 

[chefduane]

My '98 XLT SOHC 4x4 with the 945A (luxury) package didn't come with one. But I rigged one up anyway.

EDIT: I just rigged a little nightlight with an on/off switch and installed with an inline fuse to the battery. It won't come on when the hood is lifted unless I turn it on. It doesn't provide much light but it's only intended for emergency purposes.

 

[J_C]

None on mine either, though if there's a will there's a way...

 

[colintrax]

I thought everyone has one? I'll post a pic sometime soon. I got a 1997 xlt

 

[hlg99]

My first gen ('94 Exploder) had one. Don't have one on the Mounty (99)

 

[SoNic67]

That switch is connected to PATS (passive anti-theft system).
There is no factory light under the hood on my 2001.

 

[alohamonte]

No light. And no under hood insulation either now that I think of it.

 

[koda2000]

My '97 Sport has a light under the hood and under-hood padding. It has the button under the hood on the passenger side fender, but '97 was pre-PATS wasn't it?

 

[frankcal]

My 03 sport doesn't have a light either, but I saw a strip another member used for a backup light that I might rig under the hood for emergency use

 

[4rd Xplora]

My '96 E.B. has one. Comes on anytime the hood is up, day or night.

 

[koda2000]

Early 90's GM pickups had a really cool under hood light. It sat in a little bracket and could be removed to direct light where you needed it. It had a long electric cord which may have been retractable (I don't recall). If I ever see one at the scrap yard I plan to pick one up and install it on my Ex. I wonder if LMC truck sells one???

My '01 EB does not have an under hood light and none of my '00's have it either. No under hood button either.

Update:
LMC Truck does sell and under hood lamp kit, but it's a generic light and costs $25 plus shipping.

 

[1998Exp]

According to my '98 manual, opening (more likely, forcing open) the hood when the system is armed will trigger an alarm.

Why is it under the hood? It is not doing anything anyway.

 

[PAExplorerXLT]

How can it tell it is forced open? The bracket on mine is sort of loose. I doubt the switch is even pressed down properly

 

[jay1028]

My 96 has a light mounted to the hood on the driver's side. It is turned on when the hood is raised, day or night. It has a self contained mercury tilt switch.