Help with dome light.
 

I just pulled the wiring for the old dome light, I installed the new Dome light in, after plugging it in, it doesn't work, anyone have suggestions on why?

Re: Help with dome light.
 

Bulb any good?
Check the power and ground at the bulb socket.
If yes, replace the bulb.

If no, make sure good connection at the plug and double check power and ground at the plug.

Also, try a lot of swearing. I usually have to find the right swear for the job. Once you find that, repeat it as much as possible and louder each time.

Re: Help with dome light.
 

Ditto what HumphreyMurdoch said ... check the bulb, power, and ground.

The orange wire is power and should be live all the time. If not, check the fuse.

The white wire is a switched ground. It is grounded through a set of contacts in the headlight switch when the knob is rotated fully counterclockwise. And for this to work, the body of the headlight switch needs to be making a good ground connection with the dash via it's retainer nut.

Re: Help with dome light.
 

I am sure the bulb and wires are good, they are brand new, nice and shiny. All my fuses are there but your right I need to check them. My turn signals work but idk why, the wiring is a mess. You mentioned something about the headlight switch, so the dome light won't work if it is turned all the way counter-clockwise?

Re: Help with dome light.
 

Lol!!! The swearing part is by procedure! In my last reply, everything is brand new with the dome light so I don't believe it's that, I'm thinking a fuse but my stop lights work too so im my too sure

Re: Help with dome light.
 

Sometimes just because they are new and shiny does not mean they are good. Put 12 volts to the bulb or you can use a Power Probe to check from the plug. Make sure you are getting a good ground. The Power Probe provides both. Best tool in the box!!

Re: Help with dome light.
 

Universal procedure for electrical problems.

Hooligan

Re: Help with dome light.
 

I know some guys mentioned this earlier but are you turning the correct switch all the way counter clockwise?

When I first installed my dome light I thought mine didn't work, but I wasn't turning the switch far enough. I don't remember the exact issue, but I think I expected the light to gradually turn on as I rotated the switch, like modern car would. It took me a minute or two to realize.

Re: Help with dome light.
 

Did the dome lamp work prior to replacement?

Re: Help with dome light.
 

Bypass the switch with a jumper wire to ground. If the light comes on repair or replace the switch.

Re: Help with dome light.
 

Sometimes kicking it works....on my 64 GMC I went to turn the head lights on and nothing happened....got out and kicked the grill. Problem solved. :metal:

Re: Help with dome light.
 

I don't know if it did, the previous owner was already going to replace it because the old one was painted right over the Earl Schibe way.

Re: Help with dome light.
 

I'm gonna check today on my lunch brake. Maybe that's what it is, I was assuming the same like it was a moderne, I was aware that's the case

Re: Help with dome light.
 

First, don't assume that because it's new it works.

1. Is the headlight switch in the right position for the dome light to come on (rotated all the way left if I recall correctly)?
2. Does the power wire have power?
3. Is the fuse blown?
4. If the power wire has power, is the bulb bad?
5. If the bulb is good, and the power wire has power at the bulb, is the grounding good?

Re: Help with dome light.
 

So it was the light switch, I had no idea that it worked that way, it's bright and works great! Thanks guys!

Re: Help with dome light.
 

Awesome, man! I thought that might have been the case. I was disappointed when mine didn't work like I expected, until I realized my mistake.

Most recently, I posted a question about how to keep my front turn signal sockets in the housings, only to learn (from a smart poster) that my turn signal housings were installed upside down :-)

This forum is a great resource!!

Re: Help with dome light.
 

Hahaha it's always something little! My turn signals don't work! I wish I know how to figure that out too 😂