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Interior light problem

Bonzo

Bonzo

New member
Hi all,

I'm getting bored of my interior light not coming on when I open the drivers door. It works very occasionally, if at all.

I've replaced the switch on the A post and I'm sure it's working properly as when I press it, I can hear the electric window relay clicking as it should, but still no light!

It works fine when I open the passenger door or the rear hatch.

Any ideas?
[:)]
 
the switch shorts the interior light to earth via the fixing hole in the door pillar when the door is opened thus completing the circuit.
If its working intermitantly it can only be a poor earthing problem either with the switch or the switch body to fixing hole.
To prove this try removing the switch and shorting the cable connector directly to earth in the fixing hole.

If the light works then you have a problem with the switch.Inspect it closely at the back and make sure when the button is fully out (ie door open, light on) that the cable spade connector touches the body of the switch making good contact .

Did you use a small rat-tail file to remove any rust from the switch hole before fitting it ? also make sure that the spade connector is shiny clean before fitting to the switch.
 
Thanks for that Nick, I will check that the metal of the 'A' post is good 'n clean- I was more worried about losing the wires into the hollow than checking the surrounding metal was perfectly clean, so will go over it properly.

Do you know why there are two wires on the switch? Does one feed the light and the other supply a trigger to the electric window relay?
 
not sure why there are two wires . Are they connected together ? or seperate.
I've never looked at a switch on a 944 .All the others have been single wire.
It could be that it is a true 2 pole switch in which case the connection is made within the switch and fed back to another earth point .This would be an improvement as these switches rust out for a past time and most cars have fluttering interior light relays when opening the doors.
I'll check out my Haynes but I suspect the cable connector needs filing to clean the electrical contact with the switch or the switch needs a bit of tweaking to improve the switch contact

edit
Looks like the other wire goes to the factory alarm so when the door is opened the interior light switch shorts both the int light and alarm to earth setting the alarm off when armed.
 
Cheers Nick.

Yup two wires, both have their own connector and both earth through the self-tapping screw when the switch springs out (door open).

I think you're right about an earthing fault though- will look into that when it warms up a bit!
 
I had loads of issues with this in the past. Peanut is 100% right. Its all about the earthing.
Clean up the switch and surrounding areas and as nasty as it might sound, scratch the paint under the swtich to ensure a good earth contact.

Good luck.

 
Ah.. factory alarm.. erm don't think mine ever had one!! I did remove a load of defunct alarms and immobilisers but none appeared to be factory-fitted (scotchlocks galore..)
Cheers guys I will get onto it again and clean up the earths with a tiny file [:)]
 
ORIGINAL: Bonzo

Ah.. factory alarm.. erm don't think mine ever had one!! I did remove a load of defunct alarms and immobilisers but none appeared to be factory-fitted (scotchlocks galore..)
Cheers guys I will get onto it again and clean up the earths with a tiny file [:)]
Click to expand...
it is a connection for an alarm system according to the Haynes schematic.
I have a Falcon ll alarm I wasn't aware of . When it gets a bit warmer I'm going to try to remove it . Not even sure if its connected or not ? I dread going under the dash there are huge numbers of loose unconected cables bits of tape and scotchlocks everywhere.
 
Problem fixed [:D][:D] I must be easily pleased but it's sooo nice to have an interior light coming on when I open my door!! Just a case of cleaning up the earth as everyone suggested, the switch only earths through the screw due to the rubber shroud, so it must be clean and rust-free.

CIMG3587.jpg


Incidentally, the twin yellow/brown wire turns on the light when grounded, the single green/red wire operates the electric window relay, I reckon the standard-fit alarm probably uses this signal?
 
well done . At least someone has managed to achieve something today.

My fuel pressure gauge and noid light light didn't come so I have achieved a big fat nothing.
looks like it will be another week before I get my baby running again.


 
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