'68 Newport map light

[carrman]

Map light on the convertible won't shut off all of a sudden, and it's keeping the rear courtesy lights on too. The map light switch doesn't feel right, like something is broken inside. Anyone have an experience fixing these? I never noticed until now, but will turning the map light on also turn those courtesy lights on?

 

[cbarge]

Your dash dimmer controls both so check it first.
It will crap out before the map light switch does-which is hardly ever.
Map light has no direct connection to the courtesy lights.
I got spares if needed.

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

I do too - with and without power antenna switch...

 

[carrman]

Your dash dimmer controls both so check it first.
It will crap out before the map light switch does-which is hardly ever.
Map light has no direct connection to the courtesy lights.
I got spares if needed.

I noticed I coudln't feel a notch signifying I'd turned the lights on using the dimmer switch, so I thought it wasn't done that way. I never use the dimmer anyway since I converted to LED. Figured if it's not messed with, it can't go bad?

 

[Devinism]

Your dash dimmer controls both so check it first.
It will crap out before the map light switch does-which is hardly ever.
Map light has no direct connection to the courtesy lights.
I got spares if needed.

I agree. Unplug it. If your lights are still on look for a yellow wire that is going to ground. Even a door jamb switch gone south.

 

[carrman]

Looks like I need a dimmer switch

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

Just soak it in DeOxit and it should be fine...

 

[carrman]

Just soak it in DeOxit and it should be fine...

This switch doesnt feel right, I can't feel the detent you're supposed to feel when you use the dimmer to turn them on.

 

[CBODY67]

The detent is for you to know you're at "full max". So you don't over run the limit of the dimmer connection on the rheostat, I suspect.