Courtesy Lights

[Bob G]

Should the pillar mounted courtesy lights go on when a front door opens on my '54 Special. Pretty sure they should. Right now they only operate with the switch located on them.

[dpledger]

Are we talking 54 early or late special? The early were left over 53's, and on these it depends on the model that was converted.  For the Manhattans, which I think 54 early Specials were based on, only the rear doors operate the lights.  For '53 deluxes, all four doors operate them.  Had a 54 early once and it worked like a '53 Manhattan. Late specials probably did too, but not sure.

[Randy K]

If this is two-door, only the under-dash lights operate with the door. It's relatively simple to also ground the pillar lights to the door switches so they activate too.

[Bob G]

Car is an early '54 Special. Have not tried to see if the rear doors operate the subject lights. Will soon check and report back.

[Bob G]

Dpleger you are right. The rear doors operate the pillar mounted courtesy lights.

[dpledger]

The front doors should operate the two lights under the dash- do these work OK?

[Bob G]

For sure they work.

[51 Willowrun]

Upon reading through the Forum I learned of the Pillar Light and Courtesy Light set up on my 51 Deluxe.4Dr Sedan
I checked under my dash and found the Bezels for the courtesy Lights but no lights,and no under dash switch.
Also upon checking my doors i discovered my rt rear door has a switch but my left rear door does not just the metal blank.
Since my Pillar Lights do not currently work I do not know if the switches in the front doors will turn on  the Pillar lights when either door is opened.

[mbflemingkf]

Did you get the wiring diagram I emailed you?  Didn't hear back.

Mike

[mbflemingkf]

There should be a toggle switch just under the dash by your left knee for the courtesy lights. Is there power at the light when door is open and switch is in the on position?  Bulbs ok?  Not sure if headlight needs to be on?

[51 Willowrun]

Hello Mike,
Happy to say Pillar lights are working was just the bulbs were definitely toast.
Thanks for the diagram it allowed me to get a good look at the wiring..My Pillar lights Illuminate when either front door is opened and the Right rear door.There is no switch in my left rear door as in the wiring diagram.And there are definitely no Under dash courtesy Lights in my Car.
Thanks Again

[blackcat429cj]

Late specials probably did too, but not sure.

I owned a late Special for many years.  It only had 1 pillar light on the drivers pillar, no courtesy lights.  All four doors operated that one pillar light.

[51ksrluxe]

mbflemingkf, May I trouble you also for the wiring diagram you emailed 51 Willowrun? In my 51 Kaiser Deluxe I have no under-dash front lights and no dome light between the sun visors. My headliner is out, so the dome light is just a place where it goes into the metal. Once I get the light housings, the wiring diagram will help me put things back together.

[mbflemingkf]

Send me your email address and I'll forward.

There is no dome light between the visors, only on the door post between the front and back seats.  Your car may only have on the passenger side.

Mike
mbfleming@aol.com

[51ksrluxe]

Thanks again Mike, I appreciate this. Going out to look around the Kaiser tomorrow. Hoping I only need to change some bulbs!