Trunk light question

[steve meltzer]

How does the trunk light extinguish? Now, maybe mine's defective, but I think it stays on all the time. Was gonna put my sister in there to check! (or, the ex). I don't see a mercury sort of thing, as I expected. The car is a '74 Carrera. thanx. steve
(i could put my i-phone in there on video and close the trunk, but I didn't think of it before I took the lamp out of the circuit). thanx

[rwest]

Trunk or engine compartment?

In the trunk, there is a switch on the hinge between the bolts that pushes in when closed- you should be able to close the hood almost all the way and see it go off.

[rwest]

...and of course push it in by hand to see if the switch works.

[RSBob]

Rutager is right on the money

I keep my trunk (front trunk = frunk) light disconnected at all times just to prevent running down the battery since I keep the frunk open most of the time to discourage mice. But beware, the light you disconnect is full time power which might short if touched to ground, so if you chose to disconnect, completely shrink wrap it, or put an insulated connector on it, or if all else fails, wrap well with electrical tape.

[Canada Kev]

I also wired a manual switch in series with the light so if I had the lid open for an extended period, I could turn it off manually.

[RSBob]

Originally Posted by Canada Kev

I also wired a manual switch in series with the light so if I had the lid open for an extended period, I could turn it off manually.

Great idea! I’m doing that tomorrow.

[Jesse16]

That is a great simple idea ! I can see my light go out just before I push to latch. I tend to keep the lid down but not latched during storage or work sessions.

[steve meltzer]

i think someone may have removed the switch as there is no such animal on my car. Weird has the light and housing look perfect. thanx again. s

[megerian]

I agree- Mine also conveniently turns off when I lower the lid all the way down but don't latch it - this is very nice when I connect a battery tender, and can't latch the hood due to the wires, and I rest easy knowing the light is off.

[RSBob]

Since I use a Battery Butler and keep the frunk open most of the time, I wired in a switch like Kev suggested. The switch illuminates too as an extra measure.

[juanbenae]

saw a great, simple idea at the shop I frequent the other day. with the hood open a clothes pin is placed backwards using the finger press end to hold the switch closed.

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by RSBob

Great idea! I’m doing that tomorrow.

Here's what mine looks like...

[echecsqueen]

Originally Posted by Canada Kev

Here's what mine looks like...

Looks fantastic. I am stealing this idea- perfect

[steve meltzer]

OK, here's a shot of the trunk light (actually it's mounting orifice, as it's been removed until I figure out how to shut it off) and the wiring. NB: there's no pressure switch to extinguish the light...not sure where along the road it got the axe. I really like the idea of a manual "on/off" switch, so I could control this. I'm really a novice at this, so can someone give me a part number or specific info on where to find this (seemingly mundane) switch? I assume you'd want it in the ground circuit (Brown wire here) thanx steve

[steve meltzer]

OK, ^&*(&$@%*($@& I forgot the photo! s

[Canada Kev]

I got my switch at an electronic parts store. You can place the switch on the power or ground wire, it makes no difference electrically.

[steve meltzer]

thanx, Kevin. that's what i was thinkin'. steve

[tobluforu]

I set mine up using just a male/female connection. I cant tell you how many times I have needed a trunk light in the past 30 years, maybe 3 times.

[steve meltzer]

yeah, not like it's a huge trunk and stuff's gonna get lost in there. s

[SpyderMike]

I got rid of my lights (in the front and the back) and just have a flashlight in the car.