Quick dome light question

[sandmann999]

Will an 87 dome light fit in an 81?

 

[BLADE262US]

Yes 1980 to 1996 with or without map lighs /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[sandmann999]

Yes 1980 to 1996 with or without map lighs  /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

20132[/snapback]

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Sweet, that helps. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[sandmann999]

My dome light works, but for some reason, the map switches don't. Is there a way to remove the plastic backing so that I can access the switches? Or are they pretty much shot and I need a new dome light fixture? (I've replaced all the bulbs.)

 

[BLADE262US]

Well the way I see it anything that is put together can be taken apart its just a matter of how creative you have to be to get it apart . Ill look at one I have and see how it comes apart . I do have some good ones with and without map lights that I will sell . /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[Justshootme84]

I just took the dome light out of my 84 Bronco the other day to remove the headliner. My light also has the map lights on each side. When you remove the plastic center piece that covers the center bulb, you will see 3 screws. There are 2 wires that come up throught the driver's-side B-pillar with connectors that two of those screws go thru to the roof. The 3rd ***** helps secure the light to the roof and may also act as a ground. IF you're going to work on the dome light, pull out fuse #8 for the courtesy lamps for safety. Then you can unbolt the light, and check the connectors. One of mine was broken, it was for the center bulb. Also, check the connector at the bottom of the B-pillar next to the seatbelt ratchet assembly, and at the bottom of the A-pillar. If both of these connectors are plugged in, you may have a bad ground at the light or just a burned out bulb.

I've seen where a dude replaced the Bronco domelight with one from a 97 F-150. The new light had a clear lens instead of the opaque one, and the light was much brighter.

 

[BLADE262US]

The newer rangers also have that clear lens and it fits the full size dome lights /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[sandmann999]

I just took the dome light out of my 84 Bronco the other day to remove the headliner. My light also has the map lights on each side. When you remove the plastic center piece that covers the center bulb, you will see 3 screws. There are 2 wires that come up throught the driver's-side B-pillar with connectors that two of those screws go thru to the roof. The 3rd ***** helps secure the light to the roof and may also act as a ground. IF you're going to work on the dome light, pull out fuse #8 for the courtesy lamps for safety. Then you can unbolt the light, and check the connectors. One of mine was broken, it was for the center bulb. Also, check the connector at the bottom of the B-pillar next to the seatbelt ratchet assembly, and at the bottom of the A-pillar. If both of these connectors are plugged in, you may have a bad ground at the light or just a burned out bulb.
I've seen where a dude replaced the Bronco domelight with one from a 97 F-150. The new light had a clear lens instead of the opaque one, and the light was much brighter.

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If some of the wires and/or grounds are bad, would some of the lights work and some not? The dome light still works great, just the map lights don't work.

 

[Justshootme84]

If some of the wires and/or grounds are bad, would some of the lights work and some not?  The dome light still works great, just the map lights don't work.

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I would think that if you had a short or a bad ground, it would blow the fuse. Most likely, you have a burned out bulb if one side works and not the other, or the center doesn't work but the sides do. It's much easier if you have a voltmeter or test light to check the current along the circuit path from the fuse box to the light in order to find any problems.

 

[sandmann999]

I would think that if you had a short or a bad ground, it would blow the fuse. Most likely, you have a burned out bulb if one side works and not the other, or the center doesn't work but the sides do.  It's much easier if you have a voltmeter or test light to check the current along the circuit path from the fuse box to the light  in order to find any problems.

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As I was saying before, all the bulbs are brand new. The dome light works, but the map lights won't. My guess is that the switches themselves aren't working.

 

[Justshootme84]

On the map lights, the switches could have dirty contacts or just flat not work. It's too bad you can't really get to them, as the center backing plate is riveted on. But if you have power to the center bulb, it has to be either the switches or a bad ground/connection. I wouldn't think that both switches would go out at the same time, though. My light is full of dust from being *******, and still works.

Sandmann999, I will sell it to you for shipping cost, as I have a shiny new one somewhere around here. You can send me a PM if you like, JSM84

 

[Seabronc]

The voltage for the map lights comes from the same source as the dome light but thrugh a different path. You may have a bad connection. Two of the three screws make contact with the wire harness to provide voltage. You should be able to read 12V on two of the screws, one continuous and the other when the dome light is activated by the door jam switch or the light switch.

See attached diagram. One connection is at the light where it is attached, ( you will note a hole in a connector that the ***** goes into). There is another connector at the bottom of the driver side rear door post. Also, if the truck didn't come equiped with the map lights from the factory, the wire harness to the light may not include the lead that is necessary to power the map lights. I had to change my wire harness from the light to the bottom of the door post to add the dome/map light combination to my truck.

God luck,

>-

 

[sandmann999]

Is there a way by looking at the connections in the roof to see which wiring harness mine has? Or do the dome light vs dome light w/map light connections look the same? I'm curious if the previous owner tried to switch them out and just didn't have any luck.

Mine has two wires which the light screws into, and a third hole for a third golden colored *****.

Justshootme84: Thanks for the offer on the light. I appreciate it. If I can conclude that it's the light that doesn't work and not the wiring, I'll take you up on that.

 

[sandmann999]

Ok, I got myself a volt meter and did a test on the dome light. When I opened the door, I got a healthy 12 amp reading, but when I did it on the map light wire, I got a constant 0.36 amp reading. What could be causing such a small amount of power to be reaching this?

 

[Justshootme84]

You then may have a bad connection in the plug/connector at the bottom of the driver's-side B-pillar. You might have to remove the seat belt anchor and pull out the insulation to get to that connector. If you show low voltage there, go to the two A-pillar connectors next. One is for the driver's side, and the other is for the passenger-side.