1937 Lasalle Dome Light Won't Shut Off

[malatu]

The dome light in my 37 Lasalle at times, stays on and drains the battery.  The problem is intermittent.  I will close the door and the light will stay on and drain the battery.  Most of the time it shuts off when I close the door or will shut off in a short period of time (10 - 15 minutes).  Most of the time it's not a problem.  What mechanism controls the dome light.   Any suggestions?

Thanks,

malatu

[John Washburn CLC 1067 Sadly deceased.]

Malatu,

On my 37 LaSalle there is a switch on the drivers side that feeds the dome light. I would guess there is a problem with the switch. The switch is the only way to turn the dome light on and off.

John W.

Good Luck.

[malatu]

Malatu,

On my 37 LaSalle there is a switch on the drivers side that feeds the dome light. I would guess there is a problem with the switch. The switch is the only way to turn the dome light on and off.

John W.

Good Luck.

Exactly where are is the switch ... dash, door ...?  Thanks for the reply! 

Regards,

Mark B.

[John Washburn CLC 1067 Sadly deceased.]

The on off switch is on the drivers side on the post, rear of the door. Just look at the rear post above the seat and you should find the switch.

John W.

[malatu]

Thanks!

mb

[John Washburn CLC 1067 Sadly deceased.]

I am must be stupid, drunker than usual, or just old.

The switch is on the PASSENGER SIDE. I am a dope.

John Washburn

[malatu]

LOL  been there done that!  Thanks!

Cheers,

m

[malatu]

I am must be stupid, drunker than usual, or just old.

The switch is on the PASSENGER SIDE. I am a dope.

John Washburn

Well, you may be a dope (acutally, I hope drunker than usual, at least you're having a bit of fun), but I would have never, ever,... in a thousand years looked on the passenger's side!  Did I say never ...

Again, thanks!

Cheers

[malatu]

For the life of me, I could not find the switch.  I looked all over.  Is it where one normally would be in a newer from the 70's?  Exactly where is it?

Maybe I'm the stupid, drunker than usual or just old guy!

Thanks,

malatu

[John Washburn CLC 1067 Sadly deceased.]

Hello,

I would send a picture but the car is off being aligned.

Is it possible someone upholstered over where the switch should be and lef the wires dangling? Run you hand up the passenger side post to see if you can feel a hole.

If you don't get help, I will send a picture next week.

The saga continues.

[malatu]

Thanks for the reply.  I'll give that a try.

In the mean time, just to make sure... is this switch a "manual" switch or is one that works automatically when the door opens and closes.  If I understand what the "post" is, it's the vertical member that sits between the "suicide doors". Both door's handle hardware latch on to the post keeping the door.  Correct?

Thanks,

Mark

[John Washburn CLC 1067 Sadly deceased.]

Yep you are correct. The switch on my 37 is a simple off on switch, goes up and down, not much to it.

Good Luck

[harvey b]

Hello All, the switch is on the interior portion of the post,about halfway between the top of the seat and the headliner,if it isnt visable it may have been covered over if the car has been reupholstered?,you should be able to look over your right shoulder and see it,it isint in the door jambs of the car like a 70's type car,the light has to be turned on manually by moving the switch up or down.it may have not been reinstalled when upholstery work was done,sounds like the wires are floating around in the cavity and are touching and making the light come on.this is what it sounds like to me.HTH Harvey B

[baxterculver]

On the '39  60 Special Cadillacs, the door switch is on the drivers side center post.  It is a simple off-on sliding switch.  However, there also is a switch on the rear passenger door that turns the dome light on when that door is opened.  Neither switch, nor the wiring is shown in the wiring schematic in the shop manual. 

[malatu]

Thank you very much for the detailed info.

Cheers!

[Otto Skorzeny]

So Mark,

Tell us what's going on. Did you find the switch? Did somebody upholster over it? Is your car really a LaSalle? Will John marry Marcia? This soap opera needs an ending!

[malatu]

The LaSalle is in storage and I haven't had the opportunity to check.  But when I do, I'll report back.  Sort-a-like an episode of "24".   "I'm on it!"

Cheers,

malatu