1971 Barracuda Trunk Light

I'm restoring a 1971 Barracuda that I originally bought in pieces.
Needless to say, after many months of sorting, cleaning and painting
parts, bolts, washers and screws, I'm to the point where I'm ready to
start reassembly.

This car came with a light package which includes a steering column
mounted light for the ignition key, ashtray light and trunk light. I
found part of the rear harness for the trunk light, but I don't know
if it's all there or where the switch mounts in the trunk. I cannot
find the switch either.

Can someone help me with some pictures of this setup. Possibly of
what the switch looks like, where it mounts in the trunk and a pic or
two of the complete trunk light wiring harness that plugs into the
body harness.

Many thanks if you can help!

David

 

On those earlier cars, the trunk light switches were pretty simple.
They were usually a single-pole "plunger" type switch.

If this is the setup, there is usually a mounting plate for the switch
somewhere around the lip of the trunk opening. The switch threads into
the plate, and will connect the socket wall of the lamp to ground when
the switch "plunger" is out. The other side of the lamp is connected
to a constant 12V source.

We had a 1966 Chrysler 300 with a trunk light, and it was setup this
way. Our 1965 Dodge Coronet had a mounting place for the switch, but
didn't have a lamp. Probably because it was a base model.

-KM

 

The switch is a mercury switch that is integrated into the lamp assembly.

 

I don't see a mounting plate for the switch near the trunk lip like
Kirk is talking about. However the mercury switch is a very distinct
possibility because the lamp socket is a little different than the
normal lamp sockets for backup lights and turn signals. I'll put an
ohmmeter on it this weekend and check it out. Thanks guys for the
suggestions.

David

 

Yes, its a mercury switch and the socket looks bulkier than an ordinary
light socket. I don't remember when Chryco switched from conventional
plunger switches to mercury, but it was around 79-71 time frame. My '69
has a plunger, my '73 has mercury.