Rear Hatch @ Car Shows

[JHB]

Do you guys leave your rear hatch up at car shows and cruise-ins? If so, how do you keep from running the battery down? Do you just disconnect he battery? I have some memorabilia that I want to display in the hatch, but I'm not sure if there is a trick which I am unaware of for leaving the hatch open...

 

[TTA984]

I leave mine up, was unhooking the battery ground but that was a hassle. Now I removed the bulb out of the rear hatch.

I throught about installing some kind of a switch back there to turn it on and off.

 

[TTOP350]

On some early well optioned cars there is a switch to turn the light off. If you remove the rear panel look on the inside of it, you can see the cut lines for the switch.

I use a custom screwdriver handle with a L hook to click just the switch off.

 

[kymmee]

I have removed the bulb in mine also. I usually take memorabilia to shows, also some shows require hood and trunk (hatch) up for judging. The MSE has that switch in the hatch, wonder why they didnt put it in well optioned later 3rd gens?

 

[ev2 aar]

Mine is disconnected also.Have not driven or shown my car yet though,LOL !!!!!!

 

[8289ta]

The light on the early cars only shut with the switch IIRC. It didn't shut when the hatch was closed.

 

[Kman1971]

I leave mine closed, I think the car shows better with it down...JMHO
but if you have to have it up I would remove the bulb like Kymmee suggested.

 

[Jan Larsson]

I replaced all interior bulbs with LED versions just so when opening / closing doors and hatch there's less chance to drain the battery ... wont help if you leave the hatch open all day but defenitly helps in general and the light is much brighter (and whiter) as well.

So I did them all even the ones in the rear view mirror ... however not the dash / cluster lights.

 

[RatFink]

I replaced all interior bulbs with LED versions just so when opening / closing doors and hatch there's less chance to drain the battery ... wont help if you leave the hatch open all day but defenitly helps in general and the light is much brighter (and whiter) as well.

So I did them all even the ones in the rear view mirror ... however not the dash / cluster lights.

Jan, you always have the coolest stuff!!:cool1:. How/What/Where led's did you use to fit? They sound really cool.

I disconnected mine many years ago too.

 

[Jan Larsson]

Jan, you always have the coolest stuff!!:cool1:. How/What/Where led's did you use to fit? They sound really cool.

I disconnected mine many years ago too.

:teehee:

The LED technology changes pretty much every day, you get brighter and smaller LEDs cheaper ...

I swaped mine out a number of years back mainly because I drive it rarely but do open the doors and hatch one and off so thought it would be a good idea to help keep the battery alive and they also produce much less heat so good for the lenses or any plastic around those areas.

For the many 194 bulbs just look for a replacement you are happy with, the rear view mirror lights need small ones so they fit in there.

For the interior ceiling light look for something that is squarish to get a more event spread of light.

So just do a search on line (or on ebay) for the LED versions of each bulb and you will find them.

I would not recommend do go with any LED bulbs for exterior lights as they are not bright enough and if you have an accident you will most likely be blamed for it if you have LED lights ....

 

[tta299]

Do you guys leave your rear hatch up at car shows and cruise-ins? If so, how do you keep from running the battery down? Do you just disconnect he battery? I have some memorabilia that I want to display in the hatch, but I'm not sure if there is a trick which I am unaware of for leaving the hatch open...

I leave hatch closed an memorabilia at home too many theives