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| | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 183 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 183 | Replaced the light switch on my '56 3100, the old one was really hard to push in and out. What I don't understand is the dome light. Everything I read about says you just turn the knob and the dome light comes on. The terminal on the switch is a dual terminal for stop and dome and is always hot. Here is the light switch. So even if it was true that you could turn the knob all the way one direction to turn on the dome light, there is no post on the switch to get "hot" when you want the light on! Both the new and old switch are the same. The dome light was disconnected and has no switch on the light itself. Guess I need a dome light with a switch on it, anyone know who might have one? Sorry this is so long, just trying to make it clear!  | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,158 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,158 | If your switch is not original, perhaps it doesn't have the facilities for a dome light.
Could you use a toggle switch mounted to the bottom of the dashboard to operate the light? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | that's the correct switch, and the dome light will work as advertised using it, providing everything else is good - the rotary switch on the front of the light switch provides the ground ["GRD" with the copper spring contact that goes under the plastic doobie] via the variable resistance in it, from open to full ground - the "S&D" provides the + all the time - you need 2 wires to the dome light from those 2 terminals, GRD and D - you could also put a toggle on the light rigged to give a ground to bypass the dash switch if desired
Bill | | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 183 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 183 | Gggrrrrr ound. Something kept telling me that the grd was involved with this. An hour before sending my question out to the world to see, I was out in the shop with my ohmmeter, just didn't go that one more step. :mad: Thanks Red58 and Brendan, that's why us Wrench Fetchers ask the questions, so the Extreme Gabsters can send us down the proper path!  | | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 183 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 183 | Finished the wiring and switches I replaced, and thanks to you bolters, all is working great!! I used my Mick the Mouse battery set up , didn't trust my work 100%. Turn signals, lights (bright, dim, park, all of them!) even the dome light works as advertised. Oh yeah, one little thing, no brake lights, but thats ok, with a bit more troubleshooting, it'll be fixed too. Replaced about 200' of wire, used friction tape to purty it up. Really happy with it. Should be able to drive it next week! Thanks again bolters Ed | | |
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