How can you tell if the trunk light is on?

[bharpensx]

I am having problems with my NSX running the battery down to the ground. I am trying to figure out if anything is drawing power on a constant basis. I haven't found anything yet, but can't figure out how to tell if the trunk light is on when the trunk is closed. There doesn't seem to be an obvious button that I can press down to see if the light goes off when the trunk is closed. If I peer through the crack, it stays on until the seal is in place. Is there a way I can figure out if the trunk light is my problem?

Bill Harpe
92 Red/Black

 

[drew]

Lock yourself in the trunk?

Maybe not:

See if the light fixture/lens is warm when it should be cold.

http://www.algogeeks.com/three_light_bulbs_switches.html

Drew
/You are eventually going to have to put a volt meter across the battery terminals. Pull fuses one by one and look for change.
Or you can check each fuse head: your looking for something less than full battery charge (ie if battery shows 13V and the fuse head shows a lot less than that...you found a possible.

 

[D'Ecosse]

Sure! Just climb in & have someone close you in! <!--StartFragment -->

You really need to mention the standing drain current - you can't do this with a voltmeter, it needs to be able to measure current. Disconnect the -ve (safer than the +ve) and connect one lead to the cable & one to the battery with the meter set for current.
If you don't have a meter that will measure current, you can connect a high power low value resistor (lower the better) in series with the return lead & measure the volts across it to calculate the current.
i.e. let's say you connect in a 10 ohm 5W resistor: if you measured a voltage of 2.5V across it, that would suggest the current drain is (I=V/R) 2.5/10 = 250mA.
I think from recollection something like 35mA is typical for a stock NSX with no added accessories.
Then as Drew suggests you want to find where the drain is coming from - disconnect any ancillaries you know of (like after-market alarm, radar etc etc) then start pulling fuses for suspect circuits.
You can also check the current drain with the trunk lid open & closed which will tell you if the light is staying or not. If it doesn't drop, then obviously it is staying on. I would be surprised if this is your problem however.

 

[MJK]

camcorder?

 

[TyraNSX]

Hook up a cheap little speaker to it & see if it gets quiet when you close it? Seems easier to just have someone shut you inside & let you out.

 

[Aero]

camcorder?

he took my low tech answer. or can put in a dig camera with a timer and turn the flash off. Also works with refrigerators to see the refrig knome come out and turn off the fridge light. :biggrin: :biggrin:

 

[mickeylex]

How about a lower tech option?

Take the bulb out. Wait to see if the battery drains. If it doesn't drain, its the the trunk light. If the battery still drains, then its something else.

 

[drew]

How about a lower tech option?

Pretty low tech to feel if the lamp housing is warm or not??

Example:
It is a cold morning.
Car is ambient temperature throughout.
Open trunk and see if lamp housing is warm or hot.

Drew
/IIRC that the lamp can get quite hot when left on for an extended time

 

[fifrules]

Seems easier to just have someone shut you inside & let you out.

But then you have to trust someone.

 

[Acura NsX Pilot]

But then you have to trust someone.

Do the blonde thing......if you dont trust them and you must get in the trunk make sure you take the keys with you when he locks you in the trunk.

 

[710]

How do you tell if the trunk light is on?
HAHA:smile:
When I first read this header I laughed and though “boy, are you ever asking for some Smart Alec responses”:biggrin:
Thanks for the laughs!
Peter:smile:

 

[AU_NSX]

I keep little people around for just these kind of occasions... :biggrin:

 

[Shumdit]

Push the latch closed with a screwdriver and see if the light goes off. Just make sure you release it before trying to actually shut the trunk.

 

[btcog82]

if you'd like for a small fee you can shut me in the trunk if you don't trust anyone else...:biggrin: :biggrin:

 

[710]

Push the latch closed with a screwdriver and see if the light goes off. ...

Yes, but then you will never know with absolute certainty that the trunk light is off or not when you actually close the trunk for real. It will be difficult to sleep, knowing that you don’t know.
Peter

 

[Hugh]

If it gets to the point where you're losing sleep, just yank out the damn bulb and be done with it. Considering it's location in the bottom corner it's next to useless anyway. :biggrin:

 

[Shumdit]

Yes, but then you will never know with absolute certainty that the trunk light is off or not when you actually close the trunk for real. It will be difficult to sleep, knowing that you don’t know.
Peter

You my friend, have too little to worry about if that is what keeps you up at night!:biggrin:

 

[710]

You my friend, have too little to worry about if that is what keeps you up at night!:biggrin:

Oh, i don't know...

 

[bharpensx]

Trunk light seems to be worked out. Check Supercharger post for insomnia.

 

[710]

Trunk light seems to be worked out. Check Supercharger post for insomnia.

ROTFL.
very very good.

 

[Anosa]

i just thought id ask... have you gotten the battery checked?, and seriously if you have no one you trust that can close you in your trunk... or that you can close in your trunk... meh, but the camcorder / heat ideas both sound good too.