850 Trunk light won't work.

gordo850turbo · Post by **gordo850turbo** » 01 Apr 2017, 20:17

My son's '95 850 sedan trunk light won't come on. I replaced the bulb before I realized that the old bulb was good. I suspect that the on/off switch when you open the trunk is bad, but I don't know where it is to test it. Can anyone help me with what to do to get the light working again? My son uses it for college and carries his books in the trunk. At night it's hard to see what's in there and he misses his light.

Post by **erikv11** » 01 Apr 2017, 21:02

There is a little roller switch directly on/within the lens of the light, did you try that switch?

gordo850turbo · Post by **gordo850turbo** » 02 Apr 2017, 10:37

Yes, we've tried that one. Where is the switch that shuts it off when you close the trunk? I think that one is bad or stuck to the off position. I assume that there is a shutoff and that the trunk light doesn't stay on when you shut it.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 02 Apr 2017, 11:06

gordo850turbo wrote: 02 Apr 2017, 10:37 Yes, we've tried that one.

But did it work?

Post by **erikv11** » 02 Apr 2017, 21:01

About the light switch, I think I would go about checking it by unhooking the little light housing, just pop it out gently with a screwdriver that's super easy, and see if the connector is getting 12 V when the trunk is open. If it is, the problem is in the housing/socket, switch etc.

gordo850turbo wrote: 02 Apr 2017, 10:37 ... Where is the switch that shuts it off when you close the trunk? ...

It's controlled by a microswitch in the latch. I haven't ever dissected one of these but I suspect the switch is more likely bad than just dirty.

You can get an 850 trunk used latch pretty cheap, microswitch failure is rare. Definitely much rarer than mechanical issues with the latch. I think 93-94 is one style, then 95-97 is another, not sure though. Check the classifieds here too.

Post by **scot850** » 02 Apr 2017, 21:25

Have you checked for a broken wire in the trunk loom? Common issue where the wire bends at the top of the LH rear fender on the inside and is inside a cable cover near the hinge. I found 3 broken wires in my last 850. Mind you I am not sure if the wiring for the light runs though there.

Neil.

Post by **erikv11** » 02 Apr 2017, 23:20

Great point Neil. The microswitch is down there in the latch, so yes the light wiring runs through there. Along those lines, does the trunk lock and unlock when you activate-all-locks with the key in the door? (It's a 95, so no switch on the dash for the electric locks, just the key in the door).

gordo850turbo · Post by **gordo850turbo** » 03 Apr 2017, 07:44

Tonight I will try to check on the power to the light and check for broken wires. I will also check if it locks, I believe it does lock. If I don't get a chance to check these things tonight, I will post results when I do get a chance. Sometimes he doesn't get home until late and I'm ready for bed.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 03 Apr 2017, 08:05

BEJinFbk wrote: 02 Apr 2017, 11:06
gordo850turbo wrote: 02 Apr 2017, 10:37 Yes, we've tried that one.
But did it work?

To clarify- When you tried the switch
in the light itself, did the light come on?

gordo850turbo · Post by **gordo850turbo** » 03 Apr 2017, 09:17

No, the light didn't come on when I manually tried to turn it on. Also I asked my son and he said that the power lock does work for the trunk.