Re: dome light repairs

Posted by Dave Brownell On 2014/1/7 12:21:08

This topic has proved interesting and motivating for me to seek some reason in the behaviors of my own 1956 Four Hundred (Esquire) hardtop.

When I got the car, the rear two dome lights did not have bulbs in either socket and I soon found out why. First, if I were to disconnect the car battery, I could put good bulbs into the sockets, and if the car doors stayed closed, once the battery was re-connected, both dome lights would come on, the under-dash courtesy light (above the radio) would stay off, as would the side marker lights, right and left. But when I would try to open a door, the courtesy dash light and the side marker lamps would come on (as expected), but the dome lights would flutter and then the fuse block fuse would blow. Without any bulbs in the dome light sockets, there is no fuse blowing and the other lights work as expected. If it matters, I also have no operating trunk light, either.

My study of the wiring diagram seems to show that there is no slide on/off switch for the hardtops, unlike the sedans. Baring the bare wire theory, I am reluctant to start pulling things apart unless there's a good plan for where to start. I can live with the prospect of a dark back seat for a very long time. But if I'm overlooking something more obvious, I am willing to try for a solution. Any ideas?