64 convertible interior lamps

[Alan Clark]

Question: Do different interior lamps illuminate depending on whether you open the driver or passenger door? 

Background: In my '67 DVC, ALL the interior lamps come on when I open either door in the car.  This is a point of pride as all lamps work - no bulb or fuse problems.

But in my '64 Eldorado, different lamps illuminate when the L or R door is opened.  I think this looks screwey.  My mechanic thinks it's intentional, as different lamps are needed depending on which side of the car is being entered.  To prepare for 2027 GN judging, I want the car wired correctly.

BTW, all lamps illuminate when the manual switch (located behind the arm rest) is turned on.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[Jason Edge]

On the 64 Eldorado, all courtesy lights, including both end dash courtesy lights and rear lower qtr courtesy lights should be on when either door is open. This is so all passengers in front and rear have lighting to enter or exit the car. You will also have a red warning lights at lower rear of door. 

When the interior headlight switch is off at headlamp switch, if someone turns rear courtesy light switch on, it only turns rear lower qtr courtesy lights. That is so if a rear passenger wants some lighting (say to read this months Self-Starter) they are not going to turn on the front passenger lights. 

A 64 Eldorado with bench seat has the rear switch in the rear center of the bench set.  With bucket seats it is up on the left rear qtr upper well cover behind the arm rest.

[Robert Schles]

On your Eldorado all the lights should go on when either door is opened. The door switches are usually the problem. One or two of terminals sometimes are faulty. Have your mechanic check the door switches. If need, the wires can be tied together at the switch.