Courtesy/Dome light issues :(

[Lukesportsman]

Can anyone shed some light on my situation?

My dome lights are stuck on all the time. If I open or close independent doors they vary in brightness and seem to work independently. The door switches do "effect" the light bulbs, but just never in any combination turn the lights off. I tried to play with the plug ports just under the door without significant profound solutions (couldn't get them to go off until I blew the fuse).

Does anyone have any ideas? Don't be shy because I feel at a loss and need something else to chase or try. Disconnecting the battery is getting old. Please brighten my day!

[Oh Haha]

Do your lights have 3 positions like the mid year cars and sc's?
If so, they may in the 'on all the time' position. They operate similiar to a rocker switch. Hope this helps.

[Lukesportsman]

Thanks for the idea, Wayne. No three way switch to my knowledge on the 72'. If I'm wrong here, please tell me.....someone.

Ok, more details. I went out and replaced the fuse (top of trunk fuse box). OK both lights are dim. Open passenger door, both are dim. Open driver door and it gets interesting. First, driver dome light goes out (not on, but out). Second, the passenger dome goes to full bright. Close door and they both relight, yet now dim again.

I'm no EE, but this doesn't make sense to me.

[RoninLB]

I have no hard answer.

Did this light issue just happen out of no where ?

[Lukesportsman]

Probably not, my car is kind of a rolling restoration. I sadly don't know what I might have done to cause it, since other than converting from dual to a single battery, I haven't started into the electrical/wiring restoration YET. I haven't even messed with the stereo yet, who needs one in a early 911! The closest I've got to the wiring was in the removal of the knee pads, but really how could I have..... I just don't KNOW, Ronnin.

[Zeke]

Roll the lens itself back and forth by pushing in on either end (longways). The lens pivots the body and that IS the switch. One position is for always on, the middle position is for "switched" and the opposite of the first position is never on.

If you have all of them do all 3 features, you have a museum piece, IMO.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by Lukesportsman

I just don't KNOW, Ronnin.

ok.. after following all the good info posted so far you have 2 choices.

1) pull both bulbs and forgetaboutit for now.

2) I'd trace the wiring, use a test light pulling about 1amp, and an ohm meter. I wouldn't be suprised if wires are scrambled or comprised with another circuit. I'd also have 2 long wires around to run from the battery in case I wanted to test a sub circuit.

hopefully someone comes up with a hard answer..

[WHCJr72S]

72's did have the rocker interior lights. Try like Zeke says and rock the lense.

[RoninLB]

not for nothing, but

Do you have an alarm or the old parts of one installed ????

[RANDY P]

Something is pinching somewhere. The dimness you see is a ground that is created where the pinch is. I'd trace it down by pulling one thing out of the whole chain at a time until it seems to operate properly. Start by undoing one door switch, then a bulb / housing, then the other door switch - reinstalling the previous part if no change. When it starts to behave you have found the problem.

If that doesn't work, then get a helper to push switches in and a VOM and check for continuity to ground when the switches are pressed in - at that point drop the bulbs out all together and test one door switch at a time.

rjp

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by RANDY P

Something is pinching somewhere.

that's good thinking.

the wiring is compromised the most at the dome light install afaik.