<VV> courtesy lamp question II

[Shelrockbored at aol.com]

Early dashes are not too difficult to work on.  I did my first one  last 
year and since then have done several late's as well as two 70's and 80's  
vintage Plymouths (the 72 Plymouth was the hardest).
 
The Corvair early dash cluster removes fairly easily by unscrewing the  
screws around the top of the dash overhang and as I recall two under the dash - 
 maybe more (you will see after careful study).  Carefully record where all 
 wires go.  This will aid in reassembly.  You will have to unbolt the  
steering column but this is easily done and easily put back into place.   Once 
apart the whole assembly will become very obvious to you and you will see  
how everything works.  If everything is as messed up as you say you might  
want to consider replacing the harness which is available from Clark's.  It  is 
however, not a simple unbolt and replace.  It is also not  cheap.  Try to 
get hold of the wiring schematic available in the tech  manuals.  It will 
greatly aid your task.
 
As for your courtesy lights staying on all the time; I'd  check for a 
ground somewhere in the wiring.  Someone mentioned checking the  door jamb 
switch.  I'd start here.  As someone else posted the way  they work both under 
dash and in the dome is that the orange wire is always  hot.  Whenever you turn 
the light switch or open the door this grounds the  circuit through the 
white wire and illuminates the bulb.  You will notice  that there are two wires 
to each light fixture (one hot and one ground) as  distinct from say the 
taillights with only one wire as they ground out on the  body.
 
Interior lights ground in one of three places.  The headlight switch,  the 
right door jamb, or the left door jamb.  This is so the light(s) will  go on 
whenever any one of these switches or any combination of these switches  
is/are closed thus enabling the ground.  There is either a bad switch or  the 
ground wire is grounding in a location other than where it is intended  to 
ground.
 
I agree with the recommendation someone else gave that you should not  
remove the glove box cardboard.  Once you take it out, you will probably be  
unable to get it back in or it will crumble due to its age.  Replacements  are 
available though.
 
Hope this helps.
 
Steve Sassi
Long Island Corvair (LICA)