Interior light circuit doesn't work/fuse OK

[New2Caddys]

Hello,
I just picked up a 1970 Coupe Deville Convertible. Everything is Ok except for two things. The first is the interior lights do not work. Neither does the clock, lighters, and trunk light.

I checked the fuse panel and the fuse is good. I also checked with a multimeter and have power at the panel. I don't see any breaks in the wiring although it was tough to follow.
Does anyone know what the problem could be?

The other issue is that fluid is leaking from the differential pinion seal (appears to be from there anyway) Is this common? I stopped driving the car as I don't want the oil to run out.

Thanks

[Dave Shepherd]

All on the same circuit, power on both sides of the fuse?, body feed/courtesy lite/cigar liter?  Pinion needs to be replaced of course, not a big deal, fill the diff and drive it unless the leak is pouring out, usually that is not the case, if you fill and it is a slow drip it still can be driven.

[62droptop]

sounds like the body fuse, which is powered all the time

check by the starter, not sure if the 70 had a fuse link wire where the main feed from the battery branched out to the other wiring
maybe someone changed the starter and left a wire off the stud?

all this is assuming the 70 had the main cable from the battery directly to the solenoid and branched out from there

[New2Caddys]

Thanks 62 and Dave,

I'll investigate further on the wiring issue. Last night after the post I went out into the garage and started looking around for the electrical problem.  I found somethig very interesting/troiubling. A set of wires inside the engine compartment were all cut/going nowhere about 6 inches from the firewall....And when I removed the back seat, there was signs of fire/melting. The flat plastic wire housing along the floor was melted at that point revealing the wires. The insulation on the wires was not melted.

As for the Pinion seal leak. I feel better after your response. This morning I'm going to top the fluid up. I got a quote from my neighbourhood garage to replace the seal. He said it will cost me about 150bucks to replace, assuming he can find the seal for the car. Is that a fair price and is it that difficult to find a seal for the 1970 Caddy?

Thanks again,

[Dave Shepherd]

Try Napa first.  If not Kanter.  I would charge in my shop 100.00 plus parts, ( I work cheap LOL). At the usual shop rates that seems about right, maybe a little high.