Clock Light Mystery

Posted by Packard Newbie On 2017/10/12 18:17:26

When I got my '39 Six, the glass clock face was broken. I was able to find one online and I sent them both to Smith's Classic Clocks and was able to get 'one good one' out of the two.
The 'mystery' question stems from the light on the back of the clock. Not to be confused with the internal illumination light that plugs into the hole in the top of the clock's back, which is wired to the light switch. I'm referencing the small one that is mounted on the back housing. It looks like it is meant as a 'map light'. Problem is, the light is wired together with the power feed for the clock. Both clocks were wired the same way and while both bulbs were good, neither of them came on when hooked up to power. AND, if they did, because the clock power is constant and not ignition-switched, the light would drain the battery. While neither light has current getting through to the bulb, both socket bodies have a distinctive rattle to them. Has anybody ever come up against this before?? Could these little light sockets have vertical/horizontal gravity switches in them in 1939?? Can they be taken apart and fixed? Or, are they available ANYWHERE?? I would dearly like to get this resolved and back to factory if possible. I cannot see how the sockets come apart - does anyone know the answer??