map lights

[cccccc]

i just got my svo and my map lights dont come on is there s way to turn them on or are they suppost to come on when you drop them, could it be a fuse, does anyone know why?

[richsvo]

Ummmm...."map lights"? You'll have to be more specific. If you are referring to the lights in the visors, they come on when you open them. If you are referring to the interior light in the front (above the rear-view mirror), it comes on when you open the door, or turn the headlight switch all the way counter-clockwise. If you are talking about an actual "map-light", I don't believe those were ever a stock item. They had them in 87-93 Mustangs, but not SVOs. They would come on when you pulled it out of its "socket".

Hope that helps...

Rich

[Mr. Pink]

Actually...my '84 SVO has a map light. It is located above the rear view mirror...it is a movable/swiveable chrome arm with a light that comes on when you "drop" the light. There is also a courtesy light here as well. There is a dome light...that is the one that comes on when you open the door and is kinda centered between the front seats on the headliner. I can't answer though if Ford changed their map lights and locations between years....or if even mine is original equipment; but I'm guessing it is.

To answer your question: yes; it should come on when you "drop" the light. Have you checked the bulb? You may want to check the ground....it should be grounded under the housing to the metal underneath. I have seen the grounds for these lights come loose over time. Other then that check the fuses but I would think that if it's a fuse that other lights or accessories would be out as well.

[cccccc]

yeah im guessing its the bulb, oh by the way mines is a 86 and it has the map light that is above the rear view and i have the domelight too

[svono50]

Like everyone stated the swivel map light should come on when you drop the light. The switch is a small black plastic pin in the base of the light right above the body of the light. Mine only comes on ~75% of the time, all other times I have to wiggle the switch pin to get it to come one. If you replace your bulb and it still doesn't come on, try wiggling the switch a little. I could save you from having to dig through the wiring. Good luck.

[sader123]

I had to actually pull the map light off the headliner, 2 screws, and found that the switch had come apart. They only mold the black part of the switch to the colored plastic. I used superglue to reposition the switch and secure it. Works like a champ now!
Turned out that was the only problem.

[kennycoulter]

i have an early 85, and i have the maplight too, and the extra parts i got form a totaled 85 when i bought my car had an extra maplight in the pile.... mine doesnt work either.

[turbizzy]

Actually i think all fox mustangs had that map light cept for verts. To answer your question about why the map light won't come on its more than likely the switch or wiring. Mine i have to wiggle to turn on. Turns out the little visible ground cable has the 12v powerwire running inside of it and the powerwire wore a bare spot and kept touching the ground. Just pull it off the head liner and inpect it closely, youll figure it out

[jloffler]

The Map Lights didn't come on SVOs with Moon Roofs, there wasn't enough room for them. They came with a smaller Dome Light.

[richsvo]

The Map Lights didn't come on SVOs with Moon Roofs
Maybe that's what I was thinking....
Rich

[leadphinger]

Not to burst your bubble but if it doesn't work...its probably broken. The switch is held to the base of the map light by a thin plastic tab. If you close the map light too hard or quickly the button gets pushed up too far and breaks the tab.

Every Mustang I have owned with a map light has been broken in the same place. You can try glueing the tab back together again if it is still there. I recommend using that spray foam stuff from the home depot, judiciously as a sort of backing to hold it all together once you have it working and be careful the button doesn't get pushed up to far when you push the light back into the light body.