1976 Eldorado Convertible courtesy lights short

[76 cadillac bob]

My worst nightmare, electrical issues with my 1976 eldorado convertible. The front courtesy lights stay on even when the rear and door lights fuse keeps blowing  If feels like something is grounded that shouldnt be. I believe the front courtesy lights under the dash are on their own circuit but are tied into the door and rear panels. I have checked button on passenger side, all ok, wire had come loose I crimped it back but lights still stay on, I had to remove the bulbs to keep the battery from going dead.  Anyone have a clue as to how I should proceed?

[Cadman-iac]

The headlight switch has a position that will turn on the courtesy lights on it too. The knob if turned counterclockwise completely,will turn on the lights. Rotate it clockwise slightly, and you should feel a slight detent. That should turn out the lights.  If that doesn't work, let me know and I'll explain some other possibilities.

Rick

[76eldo]

Check for some metallic object in one of your lighters.
Happened to me many years ago. One of my kids put a coin in the lighter hole since I took the lighters out so they wouldn’t play with them and get burned.

[TJ Hopland]

Lighters is a good idea to check.   

I have not looked at this specific model to be sure but typically the lights work based on switching the grounds and always have the + available.    This means you can get things crossed and interacting.    You cross a circuit that always has a ground with one that always has a hot both can turn on even with a blown fuse.

[76eldo]

In my case a Penney in the lighter socket blew out the body fuse and current was back feeding to the interior lights and they stayed on.

[76 cadillac bob]

Greetings, I found the problem, and found a screw in the cigarette lighter in the back, thanks for the simple check, that should solve one problem. I discovered when I open the truck the courtesy lights come on, when I close it they go out. Suspect the wiring in the lid may be shorting out somewhere. Is there a mercury switch that turns the light off and on?
Thanks you all for your advise, checking the lighters was too obvious. Now if I can figure out where the short is I can fix it. I know I can always count on the forum, it is like having another set of eyes to check the obvious.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

The Mercury Switch is an integral part of the light socket in the trunk lid.

Bruce.

[76 cadillac bob]

Thanks Bruce, I believe the socket was the problem I am searching for a new light socket, the wire leading to it is perfect, no cracks or breaks.