Wiring in 85 Riv interior

[jase386]

Does anyone have access to a manual or actually own a 79-85 Riv with the interior lighting package which has the courtesy lights and reading lights for the backseat? My Riv didnt come with these, but i found some and bought them and want to wire them in. i need to know what to use as a power source for them. since the courtesy lights will need to turn on and off with the overhead light, and the reading light will need power all the time....


help.... anyone??

[maxwedge]

You will need a factory manual here or try autozone.com, repair guides there are some body wiring diagrams available.

[trapped]

Hi there,

Every GM car I've ever worked on (and that's a lot) that uses the metal door-jamb switches uses "negative-control" for the courtesy lights. This means that the orange lead to each bulb is hot all the time, and the switches ground the black to complete the circuit. Therefore, a combo-light can use the regular hot feed for the courtesy and just needs a ground to the body for the readling light switch.

Mark

[jase386]

Thanks for your reply, when i have time ill have to look at it and see whats going on. i figure ill steal power from the overhead light.