1960 Dome Lights Not Working

[Bill Pipeer]

Hello Folks, got my 1960 series 62 convertible back from the paint shop.  None of the dome lights now work.  Paint shop deny all responsibility.

I've checked the fuses in the holder under the dash on the driver's side, they appear OK.  Are there any other relays/fuses to check?

Many thanks,  Bill.

[Jon S]

Did you check the wires on the door switches and that they are making proper ground contact?  Not knowing the extent of your paint job, paint shops normally remove the door switches and reinstall them after the paint job is completed.

[Bill Pipeer]

Hello Jon, I haven't checked that.  It was a full re-spray including door shuts etc. I'll get on that tomorrow.

Many thanks,  Bill.

[quadfins]

I agree with Jon. The switch bodies act as the ground. If they don't make good contact, the circuit will not complete.

Jim

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

Turn the headlight dimmer to see if the lights come on.  If they do, then the circuit is intact and you're looking at the door switches as everyone says.
Jeff

[Bill Pipeer]

Thanks Jeff and Jim.

Sorry to appear dumb Jeff, but the dome lights must be on a constant feed. I don't see how they are connected with the dimmer switch.

Cheers,  Bill.

[Julien Abrahams]

I don't know about the '60, but in my '67 the headlight switch also acts as a dimmer switch for the instrument lights, speedometer and such (first pull to turn on the headlights, then turn the knob to change the intensity of the dash instrument lights. If you fully turn the knob counterclockwise, the dome lights/courtesy lights should come on if the circuit is intact. Then the problem is in (one of) the door switches. I think that's what Jeff meant.

[Bill Pipeer]

Hello Julien, just tried your suggestion, I don't think this applies to my car, the dimmer only turns clockwise.  The centre dash light did that function.

Thanks any way.  Bill.

[Julien Abrahams]

Do you have a shop manual/owners manual? Does it say anything about the dome lights and whether or not they can be turned on in another way than opening one of the doors?

[Martin Michaels]

Does the switch itself have to be grounded, doesn't the switch itself make and break the ground which completes the circuit when the door is opened.

[Jon S]

The switches ground by attachment to the car.  I believe they only have one wire (positive) and the assembly surround serves as the ground.  Have you removed the switches to check for continuity?

[Dan LeBlanc]

Yes, you should be able to pull the wire off the switch and ground it to the body to make the lights illuminate.  If you ground the switch to the body and the lights illuminate, the problem is in the switch.  Otherwise, one needs to look elsewhere.  The sockets should have power on one side all the time, the bulb is the bridge between the two sides, and the other side is the ground through the switch.

If you have good switches and power to the sockets, then your trouble is between the socket and the switch and vice versa.

[Jon S]

Simple idea - push the switch plunger and see if it returns all the way out.  Otherwise grab the plunger and pull it out all the way.  If lights come on - bad switch.

[Bill Pipeer]

Thanks everyone.  Just found I have a perforated gas tank.  When I've sorted this I'll get back to the dome lights!!

Cheers,  Bill.

[Julien Abrahams]

Good idea. Prioritize .

[Bill Pipeer]

Hi Julien, I sent you a personal message, I THINK!

Cheers,  Bill.