Internal Light?

Post by **Chris** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 8:59 pm

Hi all,

I've noticed the little switch thingys on the A-Post, should these in any way be connected to the internal light? Because when I have the internal light set to either position (on/off), nowt changes with the A-post switch thingy being depressed or not.

According to the circuit diagrams I have, there is no mention of these thingys.

Or are they there for a different purpose?

Oh and it's a '66 saloon if that makes a difference.

Cheers,
Chris

Post by **Cam** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 9:40 pm

The little switch thingys are connected to the interior light, and on my '69 saloon operate the interior light when the doors (either or both) are open.

The switch on the light either switches the light on constantly, or on via the door switches.

If they are not functioning then they just might have a bad earth connection, best to take them out and clean them. This is often the case if a car has been resprayed and the switches get covered in spray dust causing them to be insulated from the body.

Post by **Chris** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 10:10 pm

Brill

Cheers Cam, I'll have a look at those earths tomorrow.

Chris

Post by **Chris** » Tue Apr 15, 2003 9:04 pm

Nope, they still don't work.

Theres no current going to the wire, and it looks quite awkward to trace that wire.

I think I'll leave it alone, until I find a better reason to remove the dashboard.

Cheers,
Chris

Post by **ColinP** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 8:24 am

Chris,

IIRC the interior light switches on the door pillars should complete the circuit (to earth) of the interior light. That is they will only have 12v at the switch if the bulb is OK.

The power cable for the interior light comes up the RH side (behind the driver's glovebox), snakes up to the interior light, the there's one earthing cable (each side) to each door switch.

I'd suggest starting with a voltmeter at the interior light internals - that's only 2 screws!

Good luck,

Colin

Post by **Gareth** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 11:26 am

I may be wrong, in fact, I frequently am, but I think that the wires for the interior light (and some other accessories, too) are purple, or purple and black... Maybe...

Post by **Chris** » Thu Apr 17, 2003 10:27 am

Hi agan,

After playing with a multimeter, I believe that I have fathomed out what should do what.

At the internal light there is...
1 black wire - to provide an earth for the switch on the light
1 purple wire - to provide a live
1 brown & black wire - which splits into 2 to go to the door switches, providing another earth

However I think that the brown & black wire is broken somewhere, as it doesn't beep through using the multimeter.

Does this circuit make sense to anyone? If so does anyone know where the brown & black wire splits?

Cheers,
Chris

Post by **Gareth** » Thu Apr 17, 2003 10:56 am

That looks about right. I think there is a dual bullet connector just beneath the driver's side glovebox. I think this is going to be a glovebox out job, I'm afraid. That bit shouldn't be too difficult, but finding the break will be rather more problematic.

Good luck and...

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 3:35 am

Yes the split is at a double bullet connector behind the glovebox.
If you need to rewire it, use the old wire to pull a new wire through, though firstly just check it hasn't come adrift at the connector.

I have personally found the door switches to be rather unreliable once they get old or if cheap replacements are used, so if you fix the wiring you should check/replace these to avoid having to do the job twice.

Post by **an_avenger** » Sun Apr 27, 2003 9:20 pm

Yeah I agree rayofleamington - the switches are highly tempermental! But they seem to be working much better after i took them out and dishwashed them (yep you heard me dishwashed them - actually quite a few car parts have been dishwashed, leave them to dry proply and they still work!!!) Anyway I now have boot lighting running off them so I can see if my shopping has slid down into the spare wheel compartment - I had a jar of Black bean sauce lying behind the wheel for months!

Post by **Cam** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 2:00 pm

i took them out and dishwashed them

Whatever you do, don't dishwash a carb! The aluminium reacts with some of the chemicals in there (salt probably) and causes it to swell, which (in my case) jammed the piston into the dashpot and wrecked the carb.

Ah well, we live and learn!!!!

Post by **Gareth** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 2:33 pm

mmmm.... boot light.....

Post by **an_avenger** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:31 pm

I haven't washed the carb ( that was submerged in petrol!) But most of the plastic stuff and top half of the engine has had a good 'finish' treatment. But good advice about the reaction with the aluminium - I totally forgot - salt is highly corrosive with aluminium!

The boot lights might be converted further for flourescent lighting - I am even considering for lighting under the seats and for the parcel tray! I'll keep you posted and try and dig out a photo!

Post by **Cam** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 11:22 am

converted further for flourescent lighting

As long as you don't use 'boy racer' neons!

Post by **Gareth** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 4:49 pm

Next stop; those very stylish blue washer jets!

God, save us from the burberry-cap brigade