The Ford Barn

rjlester · 08-16-2023, 12:41 AM

Does anyone know where the trunk light gets its power from? Does it tap into the dome light wiring, or does it run under the carpet from the fuse box area? Cant seem to find it. Also my trunk light wire has a coat of paint so I can't tell what color it is. Tried scraping/rubbing it off to no avail.

I don't want to start tearing apart the interior looking for it especially if I'm barking up the wrong tree.

Merc Cruzer · 08-16-2023, 09:22 AM

Not sure is it is the same situation, but in the 53' Mercury's, you have to turn on the headlights switch to get power to the trunk light.

rjlester · 08-16-2023, 10:32 AM

I turned on the park lights, didn't try the headlights. Will try that tonight.

Gene F · 08-16-2023, 05:19 PM

The lights on could be a key thing. I know on my 57 the optional back up lights only work with the headlights on.

Try a little laquer thinner on a rag to get your wire color...

rjlester · 08-19-2023, 12:10 AM

Well, I just tested it with the headlights on, no power there. I've confirmed its a blue wire.

Have to take a deeper look under the dash, not sure where else to look.

Gene F · 08-19-2023, 06:22 PM

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I hate to send you on a wild goose chase, but - The rear panels that are adjacent to my rear seat are sheet metal, covered with vinyl If someone pushed one of those down hard, with no protection over the wires, it could cut a wire.

rjlester · 08-21-2023, 08:42 AM

I'm going to trace that wire tonight. Does it run under the sill plates?

rjlester · 08-21-2023, 11:49 PM

Well, I traced the route of that wire, it goes under the carpet on the left side of the tunnel. I put an audible tracer on the wire at the back, and then took the wand and it would lose signal under the carpet in the rear footwell area. It looks like someone may have had the carpet out at some point, I don't think it is original.

I ended up running a new wire and tucking it under the carpet, different route than the other wires, but at least I have a working trunk light. If I ever gut the interior I will be sure to figure out where it broke, might be obvious but who knows.

Anteek29 · 08-22-2023, 11:09 AM

Good job tracing the problem...and reporting back the results - TY!

Merc Cruzer · 08-22-2023, 01:23 PM

Just curious, is there power full time or only when the ignition on or when the headlight switch is on?

rjlester · 08-23-2023, 01:01 AM

Sorry, I meant to say that the power to the trunk light is full time, not switched in any way at all.

Gene F · 08-24-2023, 07:52 PM

Not even a mercury switch when the trunk lid is closed? Typically on hinge or in the framing of the lid.....

KULTULZ · 08-25-2023, 04:20 AM

A constant draw (no switch) is going to drain the battery.

rjlester · 08-25-2023, 09:08 AM

Yes it does have the original mercury switch.

Merc Cruzer · 08-25-2023, 09:19 AM

Could you get a picture of the mercury switch. Thinking of retrofitting mine in my 53' that works only when the head light are on.

08-16-2023, 12:41 AM	#1
rjlester Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 247	No power to trunk light wire - 57 Monarch Does anyone know where the trunk light gets its power from? Does it tap into the dome light wiring, or does it run under the carpet from the fuse box area? Cant seem to find it. Also my trunk light wire has a coat of paint so I can't tell what color it is. Tried scraping/rubbing it off to no avail. I don't want to start tearing apart the interior looking for it especially if I'm barking up the wrong tree.

08-16-2023, 09:22 AM	#2
Merc Cruzer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Conifer, Colorado Posts: 2,430	Re: No power to trunk light wire - 57 Monarch Not sure is it is the same situation, but in the 53' Mercury's, you have to turn on the headlights switch to get power to the trunk light.

08-16-2023, 10:32 AM	#3
rjlester Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 247	Re: No power to trunk light wire - 57 Monarch I turned on the park lights, didn't try the headlights. Will try that tonight.

08-16-2023, 05:19 PM	#4
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,975	Re: No power to trunk light wire - 57 Monarch The lights on could be a key thing. I know on my 57 the optional back up lights only work with the headlights on. Try a little laquer thinner on a rag to get your wire color...

08-19-2023, 12:10 AM	#5
rjlester Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 247	Re: No power to trunk light wire - 57 Monarch Well, I just tested it with the headlights on, no power there. I've confirmed its a blue wire. Have to take a deeper look under the dash, not sure where else to look.

08-19-2023, 06:22 PM	#6
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,975	Re: No power to trunk light wire - 57 Monarch Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I hate to send you on a wild goose chase, but - The rear panels that are adjacent to my rear seat are sheet metal, covered with vinyl If someone pushed one of those down hard, with no protection over the wires, it could cut a wire.

08-21-2023, 08:42 AM	#7
rjlester Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 247	Re: No power to trunk light wire - 57 Monarch I'm going to trace that wire tonight. Does it run under the sill plates?

08-21-2023, 11:49 PM	#8
rjlester Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 247	Re: No power to trunk light wire - 57 Monarch Well, I traced the route of that wire, it goes under the carpet on the left side of the tunnel. I put an audible tracer on the wire at the back, and then took the wand and it would lose signal under the carpet in the rear footwell area. It looks like someone may have had the carpet out at some point, I don't think it is original. I ended up running a new wire and tucking it under the carpet, different route than the other wires, but at least I have a working trunk light. If I ever gut the interior I will be sure to figure out where it broke, might be obvious but who knows.

08-22-2023, 11:09 AM	#9
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 985	Re: No power to trunk light wire - 57 Monarch Good job tracing the problem...and reporting back the results - TY! __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

08-22-2023, 01:23 PM	#10
Merc Cruzer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Conifer, Colorado Posts: 2,430	Re: No power to trunk light wire - 57 Monarch Just curious, is there power full time or only when the ignition on or when the headlight switch is on?

08-23-2023, 01:01 AM	#11
rjlester Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 247	Re: No power to trunk light wire - 57 Monarch Sorry, I meant to say that the power to the trunk light is full time, not switched in any way at all.

08-24-2023, 07:52 PM	#12
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,975	Re: No power to trunk light wire - 57 Monarch Not even a mercury switch when the trunk lid is closed? Typically on hinge or in the framing of the lid.....

08-25-2023, 04:20 AM	#13
KULTULZ Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY Posts: 6,484	Re: No power to trunk light wire - 57 Monarch A constant draw (no switch) is going to drain the battery. __________________ *** - MULTI-VEHICLE SYNTHETIC TRANSMISSION FLUID - Multi-vehicle transmission fluids are becoming more and more popular in the marketplace. Oil marketers design these fluids for a wide range of automatic transmission types. While they are not licensed by any specific auto manufacturer ... ??? ... enough said ... DIAGNOSED CDO** - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order)

08-25-2023, 09:08 AM	#14
rjlester Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 247	Re: No power to trunk light wire - 57 Monarch Yes it does have the original mercury switch.

08-25-2023, 09:19 AM	#15
Merc Cruzer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Conifer, Colorado Posts: 2,430	Re: No power to trunk light wire - 57 Monarch Could you get a picture of the mercury switch. Thinking of retrofitting mine in my 53' that works only when the head light are on.