Al - search ebay motors for "fiber optic" and you'll find a couple GM ashtray setups...

 

Thanks Dennis. I found this, which must be it, but it still looks like I need whatever might install into those clips? any ideas?

Thanks!

 

A bulb goes in those metal clips. I don't think this is what you need for the ash tray light. I couldn't find any pics of what is supposed to be there. If I get time I'll look today and see what I can find in my stash.

Jeff

 

I think that is the end that goes in the instrument housing (clock or fuel guage lamp I believe) and holds the fiber that runs to the ashtray.

This shows both ends and the fiber. I don't know if it's from a Camaro though...

 

Thanks Jeff & Dennis- that's what I thought. Looks like a socket for a light bulb. Here's a link to the part so you don't think I'm nuts. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OER-...tem43a4ff95b3QQitemZ290531022259QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

So I searched Team Chevelle and found this: http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=297091&highlight=fiber+optic+ash

...and then dug my old ashtray out of the attic. There's a hole that seems to accept the barrel clip at the end of the fiber optic cable. Can it be this simple?

I can't believe that's it. But if it is, I don't have to buy anything. So I got that goin' for me, which is nice.

 

That is the clip that retains the fibre optic cable in the ashtray. I have one. It's GM 1382116.

The bulb socket however, is incorrect, but there is no real alternative. That socket it design to ground on a housing or printed circuit which doesn't work on 69s. You still need both a power and ground wire to that socket.

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=181211&highlight=optic+ash+tray

 

Thanks Steve - I believe I have the correct bulb socket for '69 on my harness. Yes - No?
The unknown for me is what is supposed to be at the asthray end of the cable. Is my photo above it? It just clips in and sticks through a ways and shines light on the ashtray? Seems kinda crude...

 

I believe you got it set up correctly. I have the fibre cable and can look this evening if it has the end to plug into the ashtray as you have shown. Because my new wiring harness did not include the clip beside the bulb to capture the light beam I didn't install the fibre optic cable. Does anyone sell the unique socket that I can splice into my wiring harness?

 

Thanks Andrew - I've scoured everywhere that I know of to look and haven't run across one. If I find one I'll let you know. Steve's solution looks simple enough. Did you check your old harness?

It doesn't look like a clip. At least my socket - assuming it's correct - just has a round hole in it that the ferrule on the end of the fiber cable slips into and angles toward the bulb. The socket for the speedo gauge is white and is differently shaped.

 

It actually is on the old wiring harness socket but I have been hesitant to clip it off. I figured that one day someone might want the old GM harness and I don't want to remove sockets from it. I figured that one day I might run across one of the sockets that I might splice into my present harness.

 

Andrew, pretty sure I have some old junk harnesses I can take the socket off of. I just need help with the measurements for that barrel clip on the ash tray side!

Yup, just looked and I have an old main harness that I have already stripped parts from with the socket.

 

That makes sense. I wonder if all of the original harnesses had that socket regardless of whether the ashtray light was ordered or not. I didn't even know I had it until I pulled the dashboard apart. I also found what I assume to be the wire for a glovebox light. Interesting.

 

The ones I took apart (and saved somewhere) did not go into the light socket. It went into the rectangular opening on the plate on top of the cluster. The fitting is angled like the pic of the chevelle ash tray in one of the links. The other end is just the push-in clip into the hole like you have pictured.

 

Figure I should post the pics So how does this fit on the ashtray side? I took off the rubber hose and a long brass tube is on the inside, not the clip shown in the other pics. The tube has been on for 30+ year, just like I removed it.

 

Thanks for posting that Kevin. Interesting....

I'd trust yours to be original. I have a sneaking suspicion my dash harness was changed out by the p/o. Although BlackoutSteve posted about the socket like I have. Could have been a mid-year change? I lent out my AIM 20+ yrs ago and never saw it again....

Edit - Went to the on-line AIM. Yours appears to be from a column shifted automatic car. Mine is from a non-column-shifted automatic car. Looks like your clip is missing and someone used a piece of vacuum hose?

Anybody have a good source for GM part # 3724851 piece of tape? I wonder if they repro it.

 

Anybody have a good source for GM part # 3724851 piece of tape? I wonder if they repro it.

AMK. http://www.amkproducts.com/Catalog_PDF/165-176.pdf See page 176
B-11664 5/8" wide or B11665 2" wide.

 

All interesting stuff. I wish I could find a piece like Kenin has so I don't have to splice up my new wiring harness to make it work.

 

I googled the part # listed and got Zilch. Maybe if you offered to trade Kevin that factory crossram setup you've been hiding....

 

I googled the part # listed and got Zilch. Maybe if you offered to trade Kevin that factory crossram setup you've been hiding....

Darn it Al! You ratted me out!
I remember when I assembled the dash carrier and plugged the wiring in I considered working to figure out how to lead the fibre cable to one of the lights in the climate control lights. They are closer and there might be somewhere to drill a hole on the back side and insert the cable. Since you have yours apart maybe you can consider that option.
Here is another link that shows that same part pictured earlier in this conversation. Where does it mount? http://www.heartbeatcity.com/store/product/21195/Camaro-Ashtray--fiber-optic-socket--68/

 

Ha! Thanks for the AIM pic Al, have not looked at that page closely. Even though I do not have a auto on the column, I am still going to use it, much cleaner install IMO. Just have to figure out the clip.

The Tape IS reproed! Black masking tape!

 

Andrew - According to BlackoutSteve that socket is for a '68 and it fits into the printed circuit board behind the dash, even though it is listed on e-bay as correct for a '69. It's not. (I think.)

Kevin - Thanks for the lead on the tape! and I won't tell a soul that you're running the incorrect part..... we'll blame it on a factory goof-up......the horror!

 

Andrew, the socket I was talking about was the black one in Als pic, (post 8, 1st pic, which is the correct 69 socket) the one with the 2 'wings' and the fiber pushed into it.

I use FindTape for my taping needs, they carry the black masking tape which is good for a lot of uses (like covering the wmblems holes under the spoiler) and the black cloth tape which is a perfect match for the rear light harnes wrap.

http://www.findtape.com/product127/JVCC-JV497-Black-Masking-Tape.aspx?

http://www.findtape.com/product254/Jaybird+Mais-20-Trainers-Economy-Non-Elastic-Athletic-Tape.aspx?

 

I never realized that the was a difference between column shift and floor shift cars nad I've had both. Now you guys are gonna make me pull that box of hanress out and see what I can find.

Jeff

 

Ah, I get it now! My fiber connection does NOT go to the ash tray! it goes to the PRNDL window above the column! That is why it is different. I wonder if it will reach the ashtray, don't have any other fiber parts

 

Ahhhh...it's a Prindle cable! (Rich Hall Sniglet) Who'da thunk? My ashtray cable is 17 7/8" if that helps.

 

My fiber is only about 15", hope it will reach!

 

My opinion is that should reach. Perhaps tomorrow evening I can dig mine out of the cabinet and measure it. I wish I had one of your gizmo things to connect the cable to the tach housing so I wouldn't have to splice into my new wiring harness to make it work.

 

If you want to trade fibers... I have to look at the Computer fiber connections I had laying around to see if they are the same diam.

 

Here's a picture of some that I have saved. They are either 18" or 20" long. I took the pics two days in the future too. I was going to wait until the 11th to post them, but I figured you'd want to see them early.

 

Here's a picture of some that I have saved. They are either 18" or 20" long. I took the pics two days in the future too. I was going to wait until the 11th to post them, but I figured you'd want to see them early.

You selling any? I'm interested in the one with the white rectangular clip on the end...