Curtesy light wiring
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Perth
Curtesy light wiring
Hi Guys, There has been a few threads on this subject, but I have something a little different. I have a 74 coupe. They have decided to stop working. The orange power wire goes to the lights and then goes through the firewall. The orange power wire coming from the fuse box (cig light) comes out and goes through the firewall as well. Any one know where they go and if they meet up.? wiring diagram say that neither of them should go through the fire wall.
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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From: Perth
Thanks
Thanks guys. both wires definitely go through the fire wall and previously this has been working. Not sure what I'm going to do since the wiring in the engine compartment has been all nicely re-wrapped by yours truly a while back and it looks so pretty.
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Joined: Nov 2023
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From: Aubrey TX
Why your courtesy light circuit goes into the engine compartment makes no sense. That said, you need to check if the sockets for the courtesy lights have +12V. As stated previously, the lights have +12V constant and the ground is switched.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
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From: Marietta GA
Seems like a previous owner, probably name Bubba, used the 12 volts (for the courtesy light) to power something under the hood. Maybe a hood light, or electric choke come to mind. In any event you need to follow the wire and see where it goes. People will do all sorts of things when it comes to old cars. Do you have an aftermarket radio, ignition, or other add on items. To get the most help from Forum Members it’s imperative the you supply all the details of your car. Good Luck, electrical problems can be tricky to solve.
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From: Aubrey TX
Leaving aside the wire going through the firewall we can still focus on the actual problem since it was working at some point.
If you have a volt meter, check to see if there is +12V on the socket (orange lead) for any one of the courtesy bulbs. Be sure you use a good ground for the black meter lead and not the bulb socket ground. On my car, the easiest bulb to get to is the driver side footwell.
If you have a volt meter, check to see if there is +12V on the socket (orange lead) for any one of the courtesy bulbs. Be sure you use a good ground for the black meter lead and not the bulb socket ground. On my car, the easiest bulb to get to is the driver side footwell.