Help with dome light.

[Isaiah92260]

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?

[HumphreyMurdoch]

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.

[ray_mcavoy]

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.

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by ray_mcavoy

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.

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?

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by HumphreyMurdoch

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.

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

[Ronw435]

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!!

[HappyHooligan]

Originally Posted by HumphreyMurdoch

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.

Universal procedure for electrical problems.

Hooligan

[jason999]

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.

[1963c-10]

Did the dome lamp work prior to replacement?

[TopFuel1966]

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

[TJ's Chevy]

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.

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Did the dome lamp work prior to replacement?

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.

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by jason999

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.

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

[siggyfreud]

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?

[Isaiah92260]

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

[jason999]

Originally Posted by Isaiah92260

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

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!!

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by jason999

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!!

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