The lighting on my console is the last thing to get working on my restoration project. The shift indicator lens light works but the lower front and back trim lights don’t. Also the console compartment light is out. First I changed all the bulbs. I know I should test for voltage at the sockets which means taking apart the console. But let me start with some questions for whoever knows. Can I assume the lower trim lights are on the dome light circuit? I followed a white wire in the dash that appears to head for the door switch. Is the compartment light on constant hot so it lights whenever the compartment door switch opens even if the instrument (Guage) lights are not on?
In a quick Visual trace of the console wire harness I see the black goes to ground, orange goes to Courtesy circuit feed (dome), white to the door switches, and It looks like the gray is instrument lamps feed Can anyone help?
thanks —Billy

 

The console courtesy lamps are triggered by a white with black stripe. Since none of the lamps work, check for power on the orange wire. It may be unplugged at the fuse box

 

Thanks. The shift indicator lamp is working. But I’ll check anyway. —Billy

 

The shift indicator is powered by the gray wire, same as the dash gauges. Completely different lighting circuit.

 

Does the dome light work when the doors are open or when you twist the headlight switch rheostat?
The front/rear console lights will do whatever the dome light does...ie...illuminate when you open the doors or twist the headlight switch with the doors closed. So follow that circuit

Sounds like an open on either the ground or pos or both.
Did you check the pins in the connector between the main and console harness?

Obviously, the key is to test continuity & VDC.

Yes, the compartment switch is constantly hot.

 

Hey guys thanks for walking me thru this. I just tested and found that the orange constant hot wasn’t hot. I traced the wire under the dash and found it running through this relay (pictured). I Took the orange off the relay and jumped it out

and everything worked. Before I permenantly tap that orange to the circuit, I want to know what this relay is for. Anyone have ideas why someone would have put it in there? Thanks —Billy

 

Trace the blue wire. Someone put a bandaid on something.

Do you have a high-quality battery disconnect? I recommend them for all old cars. Disconnect when not using the car. Put it on the negative side.

Dont buy the wally world $3 part. Get this one:
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NW_7...SABEgKaevD_BwE

 

Droldsmorland sorry but I’m confused by your message and what your replying to. My question was what could this relay be for? -Billy

 

Your going to have to trace the wires and see where they go, then try to figure out what it’s function was. It’s definitely not a factory part, who knows what has been done to the car over 50 years

 

Thanks. I’ll look into it. —Billy

 

Ya as Matt said trace the orange and blue-green wires to see what they are going to? Those two look OEM factory to me.

The doubled-up red to the fuse box is definitely not. Jeesh who was the rocket scientist that thought the relay coil needed that?!?

Does the console have the OEM slide-type neutral safety switch on the shifter? If not this could be what the relay is doing?

 

I’ll get to tracing the wires. Thanks.
I do have the normal neutral safety switch in the console.
in a recent look under the car I was told I have a high torque starter. Some suggested this 40 amp relay could be for that ? —Billy

 

I’m looking at the 68 442 console assembly diagram and I see a plate below the shift indicator lens. Anyone know what that is? I would think a plate would block illumination? —Billy

 

It actually assists with illumination. It's a diffuser so the light is spread out on the lense, not in your eyeballs.
Its light blue in color. You need it.

 

Thanks.