1956 cadillac dome light question? problem...

I don't have a scanner but I have posted pics of other diagrams from the book before...but need to take the pic in daylight. At night, the flash blanks out too much.

The odd thing is that the map light switch does the same thing as the headlight switch grounding feature. So I am guessing the map light switch is over by the p***enger side, so that a p***enger can turn on the interior lights.

 

the map light switch is on the map light. as for the diagram that is what my car has and that is what my diagram shows. what those two wires that are connecting are is the two dome light switches from the driver and p***enger door. they connect together below the glove box and then go to the map light itself...

i am starting to think there is a problem in the headlight switch.... either that or i need to check that ground wire as it comes down the A pillar...

 

So did you ever turn the HL switch knob?

 

Yes I have turned the headlight swith from here to there.... I am thinking maybe there is a corrosion or bad connection in there somewhere.... It makes the most since to me. I just wish I knew if you turn the headlight switch on does the map light come on also?

 

While I have your attention, anyone know what the trim ring switch does on the headlight switch. On my caddy the trim ring behind the headlight knob turns back and forth 1 click. On the headlight switch that actuates a 3 wire switch, I belive if memoryu serves me it is a purple, white, and gray or blue wire. Once again this switch nor the wires are shown on my wiring diagram and I am not seeing anythign that they control.

 

Looking at a 57 Cadillac wiring diagram, it seems that if you have a 4 dr that the rear door switches control the dome lights, along with the actual dome light switch.

The map light is wired to the map light switch and the 2 front door switches.

(this is how my 54 Chrysler works)

Is this what your 56 wiring diagram says?

In the 58 wiring diagram, map light and dome lights come on with any of the door switches or the map light switch.

Neither diagram shows the headlight switch being wired to the interior lights.

You have a 4dr or 2dr? And which of the above is closest to your wiring diagram?

 

I have a 4 door and the 57 wiring diagram sounds the same, although mine does not list rear door stuff or dome light so maybe my wiring diagram I bought is for a 2 door.... I will look tonight at the rear doors, I smell a solution soon!

 

Looking at a 58 wiring diagram shows that the trim ring switch looks to control fog lights. One direction it puts the fog lights on with the parking lights, the other direction puts only the fog lights on. The headlight switch must be in the parking light position for either of these choices to work. Sounds weird, you would think that the fog light could be used with the headlights, but the diagram shows dark blue wire from P on the headlight switch going to the center terminal of the trim ring switch. And P is for parking lights!

If this is how your wiring diagram is shown, then this has nothing to do with the dome light syndrome.

57 and 58 wiring diagram links:

http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/tOCMP/wiring/5765wiring diagrams/Cadillac/MWireCadi65_3WD-034.jpg

http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/tOCMP/wiring/5765wiring diagrams/Cadillac/MWireCadi65_3WD-035.jpg

 

That makes sense on the fog lights, before I know they only worked without the park lights. I will check that tonight. I ***umed it was something to do with the fog lights but.... When I was messing with it I got nothing now I know why the lights were off.

 

Yeah I know the trim ring switch has nothing to do with the dome light I was just curious

 

well came home and checked and there are dome light switches in the rear doors... bad part was i had to come in from work change clothes and head to dinner reservations... so i will mess with it saturday night or sunday night.

 

D2 if i ever meet you in person i owe you a beer or two! dome lights fixed, rear driver side door switch was bad, and the fog lights switch was the turning bezel!!!! thanks guys! now if i can just get the damn treadlevac brakes sorted out....

 

Cookie monster: I'll look u up if I get down there. Yep beers sound good.

But now you need to get the brakes working, and believe me, I don't think the Treadlevac is bad. Who rebuilt your brake unit, Ed Strain? He does almost all of them, including the ones for White Post Restorations. Check those copper washers I mentioned in your brake post.