Pilot light?

[DGC3]

What does the pilot light mean?? It just started going on and buzzing when I turn the key to the on position. And now my interior lights won't work. Any suggestions/ideas?

[Elliot Naess]

Please post more info.

You just bought a 1988 IH, right? Does it have air brakes? If it has air brakes and you are
new to such, it may be simply the Low Air warning -- in which case you just start the
engine and let it build up air pressure before you try to drive.

Oh, actually, if this is the case, then you need to learn about air brakes before you try
to drive. No offense intended.

Lights? Probably different problem. Let's figure out if you understand the brakes
first, please. Kind'a important.

All my best,

[the_experience03]

I think you might have three different issues going on. The buzzer is likely the air brakes or some other warning (like a door, low coolant, etc). The pilot light (as marked in my bus) refers to the 8 way flashers. Push the switch that says "Master" to off and they will stop coming on when you open the door. The way they work is that when the master switch is on and you push the "pilot" button, the yellow flashers will start. Then, when you open the door the yellow lights go out and the red come on. After you close the door the red will go out. The yellow lights are controlled by that pilot button and the red lights are controlled by the switch that is likely visible somehwere around the door latch mechanism. Turn off the master switch and all your pilot light problems should go away.

As for the interior lights...my ignition has to be on for mine to work. It sounds like yours is on so check the fuses. They should be behind that switch panel somewhere.

[DGC3]

Thanks for all the help guys.....and sorry for the lack of info. Yes, it is an '88 IH w/hydralic brakes. Everything was in perfect order when i drove it back to the storage spot. Then, the next day we started painting the inside, so we removed the interior light lenses. When we tried to turn the key to get the lights on, the pilot light came on and the interior lights didn't work. Now that I think about it though, wouldn't have something to do with the rear door, like Big Tex suggested? Cuz I always thought that the buzzing was to alert the driver that the rear door had been opened.

[eggman]

If you removed the light lenses and the screws, I am guessing that there is no ground wire for the lights as was the case in my IH bus. The screws must be in the lights to get the lights to work.

[the_experience03]

My bus has to distinct buzzer sounds (one is actually a beeping alarm). The rear door WAS the same one as the air brakes until I fixed that with a clipped wire. The other is a dinging for low coolant and water in the fuel. I've only had that one come on for low coolant and a full water separator so it might come on for other stuff too like low oil pressure or something. That one is my pull over now dinger.

Do you have one of those fancy external light monitors or just the amber and red lights for the 8 ways?

[DGC3]

I just have the standard red/amber 8 ways

[the_experience03]

But inside there should be an indicator light you show you when they're on. In my bus it is just a pair of those jeweled LED looking lights. The amber one lights up and pulsates when the amber outdoor flashers are on and the red comes on when the red lights are on.

[DGC3]

I do have those indicator lights....but this one is a seperate red 'pilot' light.

[the_experience03]

And this one is no where near the master switch for the 8 ways and is unaffected when you turn the 8-way master switch off? I'm stumped then! The only thing I've ever seen labelled as "Pilot light" on a bus is the 8-way system.

[DGC3]

its right next to the master switch....but it does not turn on when the 8 ways are in operation

[the_experience03]

Well is the master switch off then? I'm 99% positive that it's part of that wiring circuit and that that circuit really is pretty darn isolated. If the 8 ways are on turning off the master switch sure should kill them unless you have something REALLY buggered up in there. It doesn't solve the issue of the dome lights not working, but it sure could narrow your problem to one thing.

[wmah]

Could it be that the bulb is burned out?
It could also be an indicator light to show the roof strobe light is on if it has one.

[DGC3]

I really appreciate all of the feedback on this issue! But, if found the problem yesterday. Turns out that the alarm switch for the rear door was disconnected and the wire was grounding out on the metal of the bus. Thus, causing the alarm to go off. As far as the interior lights, eggman called it! The need to be screwed in to the roof for them to be grounded. Again, I appreciate all the responses...

Well, until the next problem...!

Thanks,
Dan

[Elliot Naess]

Responses we have.

Solutions... You're on your own.

[the_experience03]

Glad to hear you got it resolved. My rear door alarm was an issue at first too...then I "took care of it" with some snips and electrical tape. It's not an uncommon problem for those of us with used buses I don't think.