Courtesy and dome light problems

[Restoredrustbucket]

Hi, so the courtesy and dome lights don't turn on in my 1986 chevy Scottsdale, there is power to my dome light but nothing happens when I turn the knob CW or when the doors are open, I took out the door switches to test the white ground wire and found that the wire doesn't spark when I hit it to a ground or have any power in it, it's hard to trace this wire I was wondering if anyone had a wire diagram for the courtesy lights or could just point me in the direction to where the wire starts on the fuse box, thanks!

[ehjorten]

Power goes to the dome lamp through an orange wire coming off of the headlamp switch.  The door jamb switches make a ground path for the dome lamp.  This should be a white wire.  Check to see that you are getting 12 volts to your dome lamp first.  That will tell you if it is a problem with the power or ground side of the circuit.

[Restoredrustbucket]

Power goes to the dome lamp through an orange wire coming off of the headlamp switch.  The door jamb switches make a ground path for the dome lamp.  This should be a white wire.  Check to see that you are getting 12 volts to your dome lamp first.  That will tell you if it is a problem with the power or ground side of the circuit.

okay, yeah the dome light is getting 12v so it is a ground problem, following that wire is a real pain, that being said what do you suggest I do?

[bd]

Remove the left sill plate and inspect the wire pair passing underneath.  It's common for the wires to corrode and sever if their insulation has been compromised by a retaining screw or pinching by the sill plate.  Check the inline connector in the left B pillar for evidence of oxidation.  While you're there, momentarily ground the white wire at the inline connector to see if the dome lamp illuminates.

[Restoredrustbucket]

Remove the left sill plate and inspect the wire pair passing underneath.  It's common for the wires to corrode and sever if their insulation has been compromised by a retaining screw or pinching by the sill plate.  Check the inline connector in the left B pillar for evidence of oxidation.  While you're there, momentarily ground the white wire at the inline connector to see if the dome lamp illuminates.

I found a corroded wire! Thank you!

[bd]