light monitor

[ticki2]

Anyone have any info on what was called a light monitor . It is located on the outside skin just in front of the first side window on the drivers side. A small plastic case about 1'x2' with wahat looks like 2 small pensil size lights . What's it for and how does it work? As you can tell I'm avoiding the real projects . Thanks

[overlander64]

Greetings ticki2!

Originally Posted by ticki2

Anyone have any info on what was called a light monitor . It is located on the outside skin just in front of the first side window on the drivers side. A small plastic case about 1'x2' with wahat looks like 2 small pensil size lights . What's it for and how does it work? As you can tell I'm avoiding the real projects . Thanks

The lamp monitors are closely related to those used in contemporary automobiles -- they are linked through a fiber optic cable to the coach's rear lights and when properly connected to the rear lamps will glow when the light illuminates. You will often find similar items on Oldsmobiles and Cadillacs -- same technology in a slightly different application -- my '75 Elodrado, '84 Eldorado, and '85 Oldsmobile Luxury Sedan all have these fiber optic lamp monitors. If the monitors on your coach aren't functioning, it is likely in the attachment to the rear lamp or possibly the need for some cleaning of the connections.

Good luck with your coach!

Kevin

[68 Overlander]

Kevin is correct. They are not sophisticated units but they do need to be clean and seated properly at the rear brake/turn lights that power them. Remove the brake/turn lens and you will see a sensor on the outside edge of the casing. Mine worked great in my 76 except when the sun was shining on that side. Then I could not tell if they were on or not. BTW, both should illuminate during braking, at least with mine.

[ticki2]

Boy , you overlander guy's sure know your stuff . Guess I'll tear into the tail lights and see what I find . Thanks for the info , I'll be back with the resolve or more questions.

[ticki2]

OK ' I'm back ...... with more ? I removed the rear tail/brake light lense and I don't find any connection to the bulb . I did find what I think is the fiber optic wire that just dead ends into a small clear lense right in back of the light bulb. It seems that the light from the bulb is just reflected thru the wire to the front of the trailer , no hard connector . Does this seem right . I am not sure what to clean at this point , does the fibre optic wire just go bad over time?

[davidz71]

You are correct about the bulb shining onto the fibre optic cable. They have a tendency to become disconnected or just cloud up. Clean the surfaces and see if it helps any.

[SafeHarbor]

Hi, ticki2,

Look on the outside lights on each side. The fiberoptic cable is less flexible than what we have now. It was mounted to a bracket that holds it very close to the bulb.

It does not look like a wire - more like a hard plastic tube. If the end is dingy, try cleaning it with some window or plastic cleaner. I guess the end at front could be dingy as well.

By the way, even when it's 100%, don't expect to see it in sunlight.

Going to a forum rally last October, I was running late and ended up traveling after dark. A few trucks and cars honked as they went past. Thinking they were Airstream admirers, I smiled . . . and then I looked for the light indicators. They weren't there.

And that's how I ended up spending the night at a Flying J . . .

So far, I'm batting 50/50. Half the time I make it to where I intend to park, and half the time I end up broken down at the Flying J. Bless 'em for their welcoming, bless 'em for being where I need them, and bless 'em for keeping me informed about their showers.