Trunk lighting/electrical help!!!!!

I figured i would post this here before i went searching for what i need. One of my Dino's is missing the contacts, wiring and mounting pieces to make the license plate light work. Currently, the license plate light is hard wired to turn on when the lights are lit. I would like to return it to original. Has anyone else had this same problem? If so, where did you get the parts?

For reference, the first photo shows the rear trunk liner with the contact attached.

The second photo shows a closer view.

The third photo shows the inside of the trunk liner and the attatchment of this contact.

The fourth photo shows the trunk lid contact which makes the lights work.
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WSpeer - I believe that the license plate light is controlled by the main light switch, and not controlled by any contacts in the trunk. Early Dinos had a switch activated by the trunk hinge mechanism on the passenger side.

Later Dinos had a switch near the rear-center latch that locks the trunk lid down. From my study of the schematics, neither controlled the license plate light.

Perhaps I am misunderstanding your question, or my experience is a bit too limited.

Jim S.

 

the light assembly is mounted to the trunk lid. the only wiring to/from it is to the contact beside it. i am assuming this contact is activeted when it is powered and in contact with the lower contact on the trunk liner.

i haven't played around with it that much, but i';ll look closer

 

'just checked mine. When the light stalk on the steering column is rotated to turn on the parking lights, power is provided through the contact in the trunk liner and the lights in the chrome housing mounted on the trailing edge of the trunk lid illuminate. When lid is unlatched, contact is broken, plate lights go out.
The contact is shown as N. Fig. 7 in TAV. 108 of the Bodywork Spare Parts Catalog (from car n. 02132). Perhaps cross-reference to Alfa or Fiat or...?
Cheers,
Coop

 

WSpeer - Coop -

Now I understand the later model setup. The current is supplied to the license plate light through the contact when the lid is closed. In my cars, current is supplied to the trunk-mounted light via a wire running up the inner surface from the hinge switch. Sorry for the confusion.

Jim S.

 

Jim S.,
Is that the push-button switch that is operated by the hinge...the one that activates the bulb that casts 'brilliant' light into the trunk when ya' open the lid. Mine has that, too.
I take it your cars are earlier models & have the license plate lights mounted in the rear bumpers?
Coop

 

Coop - no, both my cars have the license plate light positioned on the trunk lid. The current to activate the light is passed via a wire running along the passenger trunk-lid frame. There is no contact created between the lid and a conductor on the frame, as when closing the lid.

Yes, the hinge switch activates the brilliant trunk light, the one used to perform brain surgery when I find myself in need of "self-improvement".

Jim S.

 

Very rare switch.

Last year I suggested in this forum that we get a batch of repros made up.

Verell interested?
How's retirement going, tiring yet?

 

PS - Cool license plate
246!

 

thanks, it's a 1974 texas license plate set. when i saw the 246, i couldn't just leave it.

 

do you have photos?

 

Typical cure for the dodgy connector on the batchboard. The fix has the wire run, out of sight, along the interior trunk lip to cross over to the trunk at the hinge and then along the trunk rails to the light.

Verrell must be swamped with his retirement...

 

we must have several people that can post photo's of how this is best done and what is the best way. i have a car or two that needs to have this done. what is the best way to tackle this project?

 

From the connector at the rear vertical panel, you must add a long wire by splicing it in. Run it behind the batchboard to the passenger's side, then forward to the wall the separates the trunk from the engine and to the hinge. Crossover onto the trunk lid at the hinge and follow the rail to the licens plate lamps mounted on the trunk lid. Secure wiring with tie wraps.

 

WSPeer - sorry for the delay. I just read this thread again.

I stand corrected on an earlier post. I said that both my Dinos had wire running up the trunk edge. One of the Dinos (8,000 original miles - unmolested) in fact has the contact at the trunk latch as described in this thread. The other has the wire running up the edge of the trunk lid. Here are three rather poor pictures. Hope this helps.

Jim S.
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Rear batchboard on ebay has hit $430, seems high.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110503989806

 

Not the contact we all talk about, but rather a rear batch piece. It seems this is the same piece that is commonly available for FAR less throuth typical places, like T. Rutlands

I don't think this piece is original. The question about other Dino stuff is from me.

Nothing great here, but a crazy price