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Interior Dome Light Issues...

uglytruk

uglytruk

1/2 ton status
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IN A JUNKYARD, UNDER A TRUCK*N E Rust Belt
The interior lights in my '84 Sub don't work from the jamb switch OR light switch.

I changed the light switch, nothing, then tested the dome lamp. It has power. I grounded one side, and it >AND< the rear lamp light!

So what am I missing? Obviuosly the fuse is good as it works when I ground it. I presume the switch grounds the circuit, and that wire is cut.

There is ALOT of wire hacking on the radio... So I'm expecting someone snipped the lamp wire along the way...

10 26 07 Los Banos Pismo Beach Vids 004.jpg
 
I'm having the same issue on my "new" 1990 'burb (if I ever get the durn thing back). Sounds to me like you answered your own question, somewhere along the lines a wire's not connected. Do the lights work with the rear doors by chance? Taking a BIG guess here, but if they don't work by the rear doors either, it sounds like the "main" ground from the dome lights got disconnected somewhere on its way to the pin switches. Might be simpler just to run new ground lines from the lights to the switches, I have no idea how they would be routed stock.

Myself, for anyone else reading, I'd like to know if there's anyway to fish the pin switch wires out of the fender area behind the plastic kick panels, or am I gonna have to cut a hole in the inside sheet metal?
 
Easiest to take the switches out, disconnect the wires, and pull a string back through as you pull the wiring into the cab. It's not that far of a run.

As to the OP, I had a problem in my truck, in that the headlight switch connector wasn't making good contact, or the wire is somewhat bad. Tested the bulb sockets, 12V and ground with the doors open, put a bulb in there, lose voltage. What? Jiggled the light switch connector, problem disappeared and hasn't reappeared, although vigorous jiggling will make it quit again.
 
dyeager535 said:
Easiest to take the switches out, disconnect the wires, and pull a string back through as you pull the wiring into the cab. It's not that far of a run.
Click to expand...

Well I meant that the wires were already disconnected from the switch then shoved back into that cavity by some PO... Need to fish the wires back out the pin switch hole:doah:
 
Ahh, yes, that will be fun. :)

I actually was able to do it with a pair of small needle nose pliers. Just stick them in there and hope to get them to grab a wire.
 
uglytruk said:
Wonder if the fact the the pin switches aren't working has anything ta do with it?

Funny, no switches in back. It's a Sierra classic, not a Silverado. So even tho it's loaded, still a stupid option...
Click to expand...

On mine there's no visible switches in the door frame, but the back doors still turn the lights on, so it must be something internal connected to that bar that disappears inside the door when it's closed.

HAVE you checked your pin switches for continuity when closed?
 
Actually no, but lotsa' burned out bulbs. I'll check it...

Interstingly, in my '83 1/2 ton PU, the overhead lamp ONLY works from the right door. OK, the drivers pin switch is rusty, but the wierd thing is the overhead lamp doesn't from the light switch. Only the foot light. But open the pass door, and the o-head lights.
 
painless wiring has the door pins, sounds like the gound wire loop from the under the dash to the right door is broken. pull the glove box and take a look around.
 
JPMSK5 said:
painless wiring has the door pins, sounds like the gound wire loop from the under the dash to the right door is broken. pull the glove box and take a look around.
Click to expand...

What sort of path does the wiring take from the various switches to the dome lights?
 
Basically the system grounds through the headlight switch. There is a white wire that provides ground, whether it is making the connections through the door switches or the headlight switch, the whole system works from ground. In cases like this, I have always found that the white wire was not grounding at the headlight switch. I have either added a ground wire and separate switch to provide the needed ground, or traced the white wire from the switch to the break. In all cases there is usually a break in that ground wire.
 
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