How To Install A Hoodlight
Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2005 7:03 am
Well, this never made it to the Modifications section of BerettaNet, so here it is:
Installing An Underhood Light
This is the procedure for adding an underhood light to your Beretta.  The example vehicle is a 1992 Beretta GTZ with the 2.3L Quad 4 engine.  The hoodlight can be added to all Berettas, though the wiring and engine bay layout will be slightly different depending on the year of the car.  Install time is about half an hour and pictures are included to help you along.
Why add an underhood light?
One of the great options in the 1987-1990 Berettas was a light attached to the underside of the hood.  This allows you to see things in your engine compartment without the need of a flashlight or shop light.
Parts Needed
*Underhood light from 1987-1990 Beretta (Other vehicle models may also work)
*Stock wiring for underhood light INCLUDING fusible link (don't want a fire!)
*Two 1/8-inch diameter rivets with a 5/32- to 5/16-inch grip range
Tools Needed
*Drill with 1/8-inch drillbit (Note that some cars have predrilled holes for this install)
*Rivet gun
*Utility knife
*Standard ruler
*Large flat-headed screwdriver (for removing plastic retainers under hood)
*10mm deepwell socket with ratchet or driver
*Whatever tool you need to attach your ground wire (depends on where you ground it)
Procedure
Remove the liner from the underside of the hood by prying then wiggling the plastic retainers.  Find the reference hole and measure upward (from the top of the hole) along the support brace.  Make a mark at 2-11/16 inches (6.8 cm) and a mark at 3-7/8 inches (9.8 cm), then drill a hole at each mark.  Note:  It is very important that you get these measurements right, especially on the newer cars.  If the hoodlight is too low, it will be smashed on the brake master cylinder.
Hold the hoodlight up to the support brace so that the plug is hanging down and the bracket is on the right, aligned with the holes.  Rivet the bracket to the support.
Run the wiring down the hood, then reinstall the hood liner, but leave the right side loose so you can access the hood light.
Look for a faint rectangular outline on the front of the hood liner where the light would normally protrude.  If it is there, cut the rectangle out.  If it is not there, carefully cut around the hood light from the back side of the liner to allow the light to pass through.  Install the remaining hood liner retainers.
Run the black wire with the red stripe to the junction block and attach it with the other red wires.  Run the solid black wire to a suitable grounding point.  I used an existing hole on the firewall but you may need to drill a new one. At this point the light should illuminate.  If it does not, the problem is a burnt out bulb (#561), a burnt fusible link, loose contacts, or a defective mercury switch.
That's it!  Have fun
Installing An Underhood Light
This is the procedure for adding an underhood light to your Beretta.  The example vehicle is a 1992 Beretta GTZ with the 2.3L Quad 4 engine.  The hoodlight can be added to all Berettas, though the wiring and engine bay layout will be slightly different depending on the year of the car.  Install time is about half an hour and pictures are included to help you along.
Why add an underhood light?
One of the great options in the 1987-1990 Berettas was a light attached to the underside of the hood.  This allows you to see things in your engine compartment without the need of a flashlight or shop light.
Parts Needed
*Underhood light from 1987-1990 Beretta (Other vehicle models may also work)
*Stock wiring for underhood light INCLUDING fusible link (don't want a fire!)
*Two 1/8-inch diameter rivets with a 5/32- to 5/16-inch grip range
Tools Needed
*Drill with 1/8-inch drillbit (Note that some cars have predrilled holes for this install)
*Rivet gun
*Utility knife
*Standard ruler
*Large flat-headed screwdriver (for removing plastic retainers under hood)
*10mm deepwell socket with ratchet or driver
*Whatever tool you need to attach your ground wire (depends on where you ground it)
Procedure
Remove the liner from the underside of the hood by prying then wiggling the plastic retainers.  Find the reference hole and measure upward (from the top of the hole) along the support brace.  Make a mark at 2-11/16 inches (6.8 cm) and a mark at 3-7/8 inches (9.8 cm), then drill a hole at each mark.  Note:  It is very important that you get these measurements right, especially on the newer cars.  If the hoodlight is too low, it will be smashed on the brake master cylinder.
Hold the hoodlight up to the support brace so that the plug is hanging down and the bracket is on the right, aligned with the holes.  Rivet the bracket to the support.
Run the wiring down the hood, then reinstall the hood liner, but leave the right side loose so you can access the hood light.
Look for a faint rectangular outline on the front of the hood liner where the light would normally protrude.  If it is there, cut the rectangle out.  If it is not there, carefully cut around the hood light from the back side of the liner to allow the light to pass through.  Install the remaining hood liner retainers.
Run the black wire with the red stripe to the junction block and attach it with the other red wires.  Run the solid black wire to a suitable grounding point.  I used an existing hole on the firewall but you may need to drill a new one. At this point the light should illuminate.  If it does not, the problem is a burnt out bulb (#561), a burnt fusible link, loose contacts, or a defective mercury switch.
That's it!  Have fun