First, let me say that I have a copy of the Ford wiring diagram book for my 1963 F Series Pickup.

Anyway, I'm putting in a new wiring harness from EZ-Wiring, and I've found that there is a "DOME LIGHT" circuit on the fuse panel. When looking at my original Ford wiring schematic, it says that there is a wire from the headlight switch to the DOME LIGHT with an inline 7.5A fuse in it, and then a ground from the light to the body.

This original diagram leads me to believe that there is power coming FROM the headlight switch terminal and it isn't a "return" ground terminal. So, it seems to me that if I send the DOME light circuit from the fuse panel to the actual lamp assembly and return the ground to the headlight switch, I'm actually powering from both wires. Am I correct?

Thanks for the help.

Paul

 

Yes............

 

Paul, American made vehicles are their own ground. Everything is grounded to the body and chassis, that goes back to the neg. terminal of the battery.

So d/c direct current in reality is one way flow, unlike house current that is a/c alternating current.



John

 

So, does that mean what I think it means...there would be power coming from the headlight switch and from the fuse panel if I were to wire it that way?

I'm thinking I don't need the fuse panel circuit since the headlight switch controls the dome light (no door switches). I'll just do what I thought and use the DOME circuit on the fuse panel to power an auxiliary 12V outlet for car chargers, etc.

Paul

 

If anything put an inline fuse on the power wire so you have a known break point in the wire. Otherwise if you were to have an issue without a fuse, you will have to trace every inch of the wire looking for the problem. Shorted wires under carpets or near header panels is asking to make a BBQ out of your truck.

 

If you don't have door switches, than connecting the dome circuit straight to the light would result in your light being on all the time, unless there is a switch at the dome light itself, otherwise you have to go with the existing circuit and the headlight switch.

 

F250...that's what I thought.

Everyone...thanks for the help. I'm glad my wiring logic isn't malfunctioning like the wiring was. LOL

Paul

 

The ground for the dome light can be grounded to the cab seam lip with a sheet metal screw. Probably already a hole there from the factory