Decifering junkyard wiring

Discussion in 'Technical' started by soooulpower, Sep 20, 2010.

  1. soooulpower

    soooulpower Semi-Informed Tinkerer

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    This is a problem I've come up against numerous times so far. There are a few parts I've scrounged up from late model car that could easily be put in the Maverick, but all the ones that have lights I can't figure out how the wires go. Like for example I have an overhead console I reeealy want to use that has 2 little dome lights one on each side and each one has 3 wires coming from it. I have no clue where each one goes? how the heck do I figure it out. I don't want to try something and render it unusable.
     
  2. smegnl

    smegnl Roger Saffle Supporting Member

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    If it has two bulbs, then Id say its a save bet that it has two positive lines and one common ground line.
     
  3. Bryant

    Bryant forgot more than learned

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    chances are one wire is so they turn on when the doors are open, the other wire is for switch to turn it on. the third is ground. using an ohm meter can help you figure out what they do.
     
  4. soooulpower

    soooulpower Semi-Informed Tinkerer

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    Thanks for the tips, guys. Good point on the one for the door thing.
     
  5. soooulpower

    soooulpower Semi-Informed Tinkerer

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    Any specifics on the ohm meter plan?
     
  6. mike75mav

    mike75mav Member

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    I put one on my 75 mav. There is two connections for positive. One on each end. You need to run a short wire from one end to the other. When mounting to the roof you need to redrill for the screws. There is one hole that you do not want to use a screw it will short out and the light will not work. I done this a years ago and kinda going on memory. It was easy to do. Good luck
     
  7. mavdog71

    mavdog71 Member

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    After checking my 71 wiring diagram . There 2 + wires going to the stock light 1 from the door switch and 1 coming from the head light switch with the light having a chassis ground . So if your the stock wires get a test light and see if both wires are + one with the door open then close the door then turn the fader on head light to dome light position..
     
  8. soooulpower

    soooulpower Semi-Informed Tinkerer

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    Sounds like a plan. Thanks for the tip!
     

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