Dome Light Wiring (Won't Come On)

[cwilkie]

Here's the deal guys. I am putting the wiring back in my truck. I replaced all the wires inside and out, except for the under dash harness because it was too costly, and now I am trying to get her back together. I have all the wires in and almost everything works except for the dome light. When I turned the headlight switch nothing happens. I brought out the tester and there is power going to the clip coming out of the fuse block but it is a constant power. It's like the headlight switch is always on. Next I grounded one of the wires in the dome light harness and it came on so I know the bulb and harness works. I just can't understand why the dome light won't come on with the switch and why is there constant power coming out of the orange and white fuse block harness? Any advice?

Chance

[fade94]

Make sure the switch is turned off for the dome light. I added door switches to mine as well as the manual turn on.

[ChevyDude]

I just had this exact problem, the same as you describe. Your dome light is supposed to have constant power and the way it works is with a neg ground that makes the circuit. When you rotate the headlight switch you are actually making a little brass piece ground it's self and completeing the circuit. The issue with mine was the painter had blasted paint up there and that was preventing the ground. I bet if you order a new headlight switch all will be sloved...that's what I did and mine works perfect now.

These trucks need constant power to operate the dome if they were equipped with door qperated domes. Again a neg ground completes the circuit and the light goes on.

[cwilkie]

intially the truck did not have door operated domes. I put those in and everything worked fine. I got the interior painted and all the wiring was removed. Now that I am putting it back in this has happened. When I get home I am going to put the door jam switches back in and see if that grounds the system. If not I guess I'll need a new headlight switch. Am I correct with my assumption ChevyDude? please let me know.

[ChevyDude]

Yes...same thing for me...truck was painted and painter blasted paint up into my headlight switch. When I took out the old headlight switch and scraped the paint off....it then worked....but I had already ordered a new headlight switch. They are only 14 bucks so I thought what the heck put the new one in, GMC Pauls and Les hooked me up.

[cwilkie]

How do you clean the switch? I haven't gotten to it yet because I'm stuck at work; however, it's my main priority tonight. Where is that brass ground at? Normally I would just buy a new one but the damn fridge went out and my fiance` just had to have a brand new $1000 fridge. Anyway...Please let me know about the switch.

[ChevyDude]

Reach under the dash and press the button that allows you to remove the knob and rod. Unscrew the headlight switch from the dash, it will now come out below the dash, still wired up. Put the Rod and knob back in it and rotate it to the left. You will clearly see the brass ground switch. It is possible that you can clean it up and make it work. Make sure the housing is grounded while operating it out of the dash, I used alligator clips and a piece of wire to ground it. You should be able to get it figured out once its out of the dash.

[cwilkie]

Cool. Thanks!!

Chance

[ChevyDude]

Welcome.

[cwilkie]

Got it fixed. You guys were right. The brass connector inside the switch needed to be cleaned. Last night I wired in the cargo lamp, dome, lamp, door pin switches, and glove box light. My pile of parts is getting smaller thanks to your help. Thanks again!!

[ChevyDude]

Fantastic!