Rear Dome Light

[Les G.]

I was trouble shooting my rear dome light on my 1970 Convertable and found I am not getting 12 volts to the orange wire. When I applied 12 volt the light worked. Also the rear center compartment also worked. What do you recommend the rear center compartment light worked prior and ran down the battery, but now has stopped working. Has anyone metered out this wire? Does it go through the emergency brake console? Do the dome light and compartment light join together and where? My interior lights work fine under the dash.

[Alan S.]

Re: Rear Dome Light

Hi Les,
I'm sorry I can't help you trouble shoot.
The wire for the center compartment light and the rear compartment courtesy light are part of the rear lighting harness and run along the driver's side sill, under the carpet.
AIM, UPC 12, Sheet C4.
Regards,
Alan

[Jack H.]

Re: Rear Dome Light

As Alan said, the wiring diagram is given in the AIM, but it's fragmented by being split onto multiple pages. The same diagram is presented in the Chasis Service Manual and it's MUCH easier to read!

The orange wire in the rear harness connects to the dash harness at in the viscinity of the LH kick panel. This circuit is power from the fuse block that services the rear compartment dome light as well as the rear glove box. It should be hot at all times (un-switched by the ignition).

Forward of the rear harness connection, the same circuit powers the cig lighter, clock and cockpit courtesy lamps. Do they work? If not, check the fuse...

In the back, power through this wire to the center glove box is switched by the GB socket making a return directly to ground. At the dome light, one side is always hot and the ground path runs back through the rear harness to the HL switch making ground when the HL switch is turned to force the interior lamps on OR when the door jam switches close.

[Richard R.]

Re: Rear Dome Light

Les this is just a suggestion but Dr. Rebuild now sells laminated wiring diagrams in color. It even shows the bulb number at each socket. The gauge of the wire is shown also. Your orange wire would be orange on the diagram. I think you would be pleased with it. Hope this helps

[Les G.]

Re: Rear Dome Light

I have the Dr. Rebuild wiring diagram for my car. It is a little confusing or not clear in some instances, but helpful. I also went into AIM and the service manuals I have. Everyone has been most helpful now that i know how that harness runs I can troubleshoot more effectively. Thanks