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di_ch_NY56

Posted 2011-08-08 10:13 AM (#283858)
Subject: trunk light - 56 Chrysler

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Location: ZH, Switzerland

I guess every 56 Chrysler (De Soto, Imperial and Dodge/Plymouth as well) have a trunk light, that starts working when the lid opens. Where the heck is the switch? The mechanic mounted the bulb socket holder close to the open mechanism inside the lid. Before it was loose (hanging at one brace inside the lid). He complained that the light is on all the times and cut the wire

Happy Motoring!

Dieter

BTW: inside the brochure I got a picture with the mammoth size trunk is visible. Referring this picture I guess originally the trunk light was mounted where the mechnanic mounted it again...

finsruskw

Posted 2011-08-08 11:47 AM (#283872 - in reply to #283858)
Subject: RE: trunk light - 56 Chrysler

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Location: Eastern Iowa

probably a mercury switch.
Have some one shut the lid while you are inside and see if it goes out.
I know the underhood lites are like that,

Dave S.

Shep

Posted 2011-08-08 12:29 PM (#283878 - in reply to #283872)
Subject: Re: trunk light - 56 Chrysler

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Location: Chestertown, NY ( near Lake George)

Correct, another Dave S. LOL

GaryS

Posted 2011-08-08 2:27 PM (#283895 - in reply to #283858)
Subject: Re: trunk light - 56 Chrysler

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Location: Ponder, TX

The only older Mopar trunk light switches I recall were similar to door switches, and mounted on a clip near the upper lip of the trunk opening.

I've never owned, or spent much time around the more luxurious '56 DeSotos and Chryslers, but I never saw a trunk light on any '55 or '56 Plymouths, including my dad's loaded '56 Belvedere. Ditto for my uncle's loaded '55 Custom Royal. It's interesting that the service manual text refers to a trunk light, but the wiring diagram does not show one. If there was a light package available at the time, it must not have been a commonly ordered option.

di_ch_NY56

Posted 2011-08-08 2:41 PM (#283900 - in reply to #283872)
Subject: RE: trunk light - 56 Chrysler

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Location: ZH, Switzerland

finsruskw - 2011-08-07 5:47 PM

probably a mercury switch.
Have some one shut the lid while you are inside and see if it goes out.
I know the underhood lites are like that,

Dave S.

I'm sorry, Sir. I didn't think about a mercury switch. There is a black tube with one wire at each side - I thought it's a connector. Personally I was not present - the mechanic told it to me afterwards. I was visiting him more or less every Saturday until my car passed the traffic administration. I plan to replace the wire for the trunk light as well. It's damaged at several locations. I gonna try it. I could use my mobile phone (video mode) and let it run during closing the lid. Then I should see if it switches off or not.

Happy Motoring!

Dieter

Beltran

Posted 2011-08-08 10:06 PM (#283956 - in reply to #283858)
Subject: Re: trunk light - 56 Chrysler

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Location: Michigan

Dieter,
It is definetely a Mercury switch. Have had mine apart once to study this myself. Could not figure out why I wasn't getting power on the bulb side of the socket when I had power on the wire side of the socket. My mercury switch is only kicks in when the lid is nearly all the way open. (if the socket is properly positioned in the lid) The light should go out with at least 12 inches of opening still left on the closing trunk lid. It should be easy to see. If it is still lit when you've almost closed the lid then you have 1 of 2 problems.
1) the socket is not positioned properly to let the mercury switch do it's job.
2) the mercury switch is sticking in some way. (I know that sounds wierd but I recall my switch to be sealed and it had something you could hear sliding back and forth inside, if I recall correctly. It in fact may not be a mercury switch, it may be a mechanical one of some sort.)

brdtee

Posted 2024-04-06 7:53 AM (#634578 - in reply to #283858)
Subject: RE: trunk light - 56 Chrysler

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Location: Pieksamaki, Finland, Europe

Old topic but I'll add a picture of a mercury switch if someone is searching for troubleshooting. This is from a 1957 Chrysler.

Switch is inside the trunk light socket.

At the bottom there is a spring, then a round plastic bit (A) where the wire goes trought to an end terminal (B). After that comes a black tube (C) that contains the mercury switch capsule. (D) And the last bit is the light bulb.

When you are pulling the switch apart, there is a small metal clip on the side which holds the black tube in place. You need a shallow screwdriver to push the clip back so the parts can slide out.

As you can see, my switch has the black tube bit broken, I'm planning to do a new one with 3D-printer.

Edited by brdtee 2024-04-06 7:57 AM