Dennis
wiring question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 112
Likes: 27
From: California foothills
wiring question
Hello everyone. I'm trying to get the dome lights and interior lights to work on my 65 coupe. I checked all the fuses,and they are fine. Does this vehicle have a secondary fuse panel somewhere ? If not I'm guessing a new headlight switch. Any thoughts ?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
No secondary fuses....if the dome lights don't work via the headlight switch its usually a problem with a contact at the face of the switch....an easy fix if that's the case but the switch will have to come out. There is a cheesy arrangement where, when the switch is turned fully counterclockwise to activate dome/interior lights, a little tab must make contact with the switch housing. This connection can become corroded a bit and that's all it takes. A few swipes with some emery cloth and maybe a little judicious bending of that tab usually clears things up.
The connection is bottom center in this pic; rotating the **** will show you how it works.
To remove the switch you press a silver button on the bottom of the housing to release the **** (pull the ****/shaft out)...then unscrew the bezel with needle nose pliers (CAREFULLY). Detach the electrical connector and remove the switch to examine/fix it.
The connection is bottom center in this pic; rotating the **** will show you how it works.
To remove the switch you press a silver button on the bottom of the housing to release the **** (pull the ****/shaft out)...then unscrew the bezel with needle nose pliers (CAREFULLY). Detach the electrical connector and remove the switch to examine/fix it.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Jul 17, 2015 at 09:56 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 112
Likes: 27
From: California foothills
still no go !
I did exactly that just now. Disconnected battery,removed shaft and switch,blew out with slight air pressure, cleaned contact with CRC, re-connected, no go ! Checked switch with multi meter. Power in but not out. I will have to get a new switch from my local NAPA. Thanks for all the help.
Peter A.
Peter A.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Too bad - always good if you can keep an original switch.
A word of caution on repro switches....a whole bunch of them don't like the headlight load our cars carry and start 'strobing' when the headlights are used due to a weak internal thermal circuit breaker. I put headlight relays in one of my cars after dealing with the issue.
Install the new switch and run the car on high beams for a while before you do the 'happy dance'...
A word of caution on repro switches....a whole bunch of them don't like the headlight load our cars carry and start 'strobing' when the headlights are used due to a weak internal thermal circuit breaker. I put headlight relays in one of my cars after dealing with the issue.
Install the new switch and run the car on high beams for a while before you do the 'happy dance'...
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 15,309
Likes: 2,265
From: NorCal
Do the lights come on when you open the doors, but not when you use the headlight switch? If so, then the advice in this thread is spot on.
If they don't come on when the doors are opened you have a different problem. My first guess in that case would have been the fuse, but you've already checked that. Next would be door switches, then trace the wiring for an open.
Good luck!
If they don't come on when the doors are opened you have a different problem. My first guess in that case would have been the fuse, but you've already checked that. Next would be door switches, then trace the wiring for an open.
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 112
Likes: 27
From: California foothills
Done
Do the lights come on when you open the doors, but not when you use the headlight switch? If so, then the advice in this thread is spot on.
If they don't come on when the doors are opened you have a different problem. My first guess in that case would have been the fuse, but you've already checked that. Next would be door switches, then trace the wiring for an open.
Good luck!
If they don't come on when the doors are opened you have a different problem. My first guess in that case would have been the fuse, but you've already checked that. Next would be door switches, then trace the wiring for an open.
Good luck!
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 112
Likes: 27
From: California foothills
I had a 64 back in the day, so once I read your responses, it all came back really quickly. Having been in the automotive field for 40+ years also does not hurt. I can't stand things that don't work.So when I called NAPA and was told that they had an Eichlin switch, it was a no brainer.Why re-install the hanging bad switch when new is available ?
thanks again
Peter
thanks again
Peter