'41 ford trunk compartment light

[fordor41]

So I'm in my trunk ('41 S/D Fordor) and noticed the trunk compartment light and decided after 22 yrs to get it operating. Wire was there but never hooked up. I replaced the cloth covered wire and reinstalled. Then wondered how to power it up. Got the wire diagram out and see it's powered by the tail light circuit. So I have to have the parking lights on to power the light. Then I see there is a "compartment switch" in series with the switch on the diagram. Anyone know where/ what this mysterious switch is?

 

[V12Bill]

If there were no switch, your compartment light would be on when ever the parking light was on. The Lincolns worked the same way.

 

[cmbrucew]

I believe what you need is a mercury switch. Lid closed, light off, lid open, light on.
I did not use one on my coupe.
Bruce

 

[adileo]

Does the Mercury switch also need parking lights on to work? I have a 39 and a Mercury switch but never thought to turn on parking lights.

 

[JSeery]

The trunk light is wired in with the tail lights, so it would be on whenever the tail lights are on, parking or run. The switch is to turn the light off when the trunk is closed and the tail lights are on.

 

[Marvin/TN]

Yep, mine has a Mercury Sw and I think my under hood light works the same way.

 

[adileo]

Thanks just took mine out of trunk wire direct to battery (all angles) light won't come on my guess Mercury switch bad.

Sorry fodor41 I hijacked thread. Think you also got your response.

 

[Old Henry]

Here's a light with mercury switch that will work if you can't find an original style: http://www.macsautoparts.com/store/hood-trunk-light.html

 

[fordor41]

The trunk light is wired in with the tail lights, so it would be on whenever the tail lights are on, parking or run. The switch is to turn the light off when the trunk is closed and the tail lights are on.

I understand this but where is this switch that is on the wiring diagram?

 

[fordor41]

Here's the light with mercury switch: http://www.macsautoparts.com/store/hood-trunk-light.html

My light is nothing like that. The socket is mounted to a metal bracket that fits up into the drivers side trunk hinge. No mercury switch.The socket ends up about at the pivot point of the hinge.

 

[JSeery]

I understand this but where is this switch that is on the wiring diagram?

The wiring diagrams indicates it's in the switch, it doesn't illustrate a separate switch. If it's automatic it would be a mercury switch, if manual, it would be a switch built into the light bracket.

 

[fordor41]

The wiring diagrams indicates it's in the switch, it doesn't illustrate a separate switch. If it's automatic it would be a mercury switch, if manual, it would be a switch built into the light bracket.

No switch on the bracket, just the socket with a wire. Bracket looks like a factory piece, fits exactly into the curve of the hinge

 

[JSeery]

No switch on the bracket, just the socket with a wire. Bracket looks like a factory piece, fits exactly into the curve of the hinge

I wouldn't like that arrangement, the light in the trunk would be on any time the tail lights were on. It also does not match the wiring diagram which clearly states, truck light & switch. Maybe someone will have a photo of one installed (original).

 

[Graeme / New Zealand]

My light is nothing like that. The socket is mounted to a metal bracket that fits up into the drivers side trunk hinge. No mercury switch.The socket ends up about at the pivot point of the hinge.

Same here on my 48.

GB

 

[JSeery]

The 46 - 48 wiring diagram also shows a trunk light/switch but is wired a little different, it is connected in with the dash lights and license plate light.

 

[Old Henry]

This is the original trunk light fixture that was in my 47 until the mercury switch quit working. The mercury switch is in the light fixture. When I could not find one exactly like it I replaced it with the style Mac's sells that I referred to earlier.

Here it is disassembled showing the mercury switch inside.

 

[JSeery]

Henry, that looks a lot more like what I would expect it to look like!

 

[adileo]

That's the one I had in my 39.

 

[Old Henry]

Here the fixture is disassembled showing the mercury switch inside.

 

[adileo]

Is there a way to use (the org casing) it without Mercury switch and and splice in a inline switch?