Recently bought a '87 F250. How does the cargo light operate? I also have 2 round map lights that don't work in the cab, as well. No power at the dome/map light assembly terminal. I'm assuming the map lights are wired into the headlight switch, because nothing works when I turn the headlight switch ****. The center dome light works fine when I open the door. I'm assuming the headlight switch powers the map lights, and somehow supplies the power for the cargo light, but how do you operate the cargo light? All bulbs and fuses are fine. Thanks for all help.

 

The cargo light is run off the interior lights. Open the door and the cargo light comes on. Or rotate the headlight switch to turn on the interior lights and the cargo light comes on also. At least that's how it's supposed to be. My 93 does it that way and all the ford trucks at work do the same.

 

The map lights should have power all the time. The light in the center comes on as larry said, when the door opens, and when you turn the headlight switch all the way to the left. My '87, the cargo light only comes on by turning the headlight switch, not every time I open the door.

 

on 91 and up, the cargo lamp comes on only when you open the door or turn the lights ****, older trucks either have a separate switch, or you turn the ****.

 

in my 87 250, you have to rotate the **** counter clockwise (left) untill you hear/feel it click, then the cargo light should come on, as well as the interior light, the map lights have constant power. you might want to check the connections in the dome light itself, mine shook loose after 12 or so years, tightened them up, and i havent had a problem since, hope this helps

 

also, i almost forgot, i also had a problem with my cargo light not working, and i checked everything that i could think of, then i took the head light switch out and found a wire that had come loose, dont remember the color, but a good auto manual should be able to tell you