Squarebird Map Light

[YellowRose]

Recently, I picked up something that I have wanted. A complete, working map light, (as Alexander called it) for Squarebirds! I also got some spare parts enough to make another one or have replacement parts if mine goes bad. Since the convertible Squarebirds had no overhead light, Ford decided to put a map light in that plate under the radio! They called it a Courtesy Light and it was standard equipment on all Squarebird Convertibles. It works pretty good, from what Alexander said. I wanted one so that I could turn it on at night, if I wanted to, and light up my Yellow Rose emblem in the center console. He gave us the details on how to make your own just like the original one that Ford installed. Here is the link on how to do it, including the PDF template file. It is not that hard to do. I will take some pictures of mine and put them up later on.

http://www.squarebirds.org/maplight.htm

[Howard Prout]

Well, Ray, you piqued my interest again. I looked at the wiring diagram I have and low and behold, I couldn't see a "map light" on it - only a "dome" light. So I went out to the garage and checked out "Old Betsy" to see how the light in her worked (she has one because she is a convertible). It goes on with the door switches and with the switch along side it. It does not go on by turning the headlight switch totally counter-clockwise. In not sure if the switch is A-OFF-B or A-B and I found a dead spot in between - I think it may be the later.

[YellowRose]

Squarebird Map Light

The Squarebird Courtesy (Map) light I have is an original unit. I will post a top and bottom view of it. Danny covered the bottom with white material. He thought it would look nicer that way rather than painted. I agree. The wiring for this unit is explained in the Technical Tip referenced below. Alexander points out which wire goes where. However, I notice a difference in wiring for the "original" unit compared to Alexander's. The "original" unit looks like it might have been re-wired with plain white wire. Also, there is a white wire coming off the screw holding the light bulb holder instead of coming off one of the contacts on the switch, as Alexander shows. I do not know which is right. My unit is supposed to be an original one, as I was told.

[JohnG]

I made one after Alexander's plans and love it!! Totally
changes the sense of the interior at night.

I tapped into the wiring going to the instrument lights. I have a couple gauges with lights as well, so I made a "T" in the wiring, added a fuse, and have a slide switch as Alexander did.

If you make your own unit, as Alexander and I did, be careful to keep everything on the "thin" side. There is not much space below the radio to insert it, so using a dome light helps, for example.

[sunnybob]

Hello, having some troubles with the map light of my 60 convertible, does anyone have a wiring diagram with it, please? I have a shop manual and I also checked the wiring diagrams in the technical section, but they show the hardtop dome light only. Thank you.

[YellowRose]

Squarebird Map Light

Hi Roberto, I have been trying to find the map light wiring schematic for you. Take a look at the '61 wiring schematic. It shows the map light wiring schematic. I think they were the same, as far as wiring goes, but not sure. But it might help you.

[simplyconnected]

Wanna get fancy?

The new LED Christmas Lights love 12-volts DC. In fact, they need to be tamed down with a resistor, or you can put six or seven in series. They're cheap, they don't heat up, only draw 0.02-amps (at full brightness) and they never burn out. Oh, and they come in different colors or clear for the same money.

That OEM bulb and socket draw too much, get too hot, and it doesn't throw much light. I wouldn't put one on my dash lights rheostat, but I would with the LED's. IMHO - Dave

[Jimz Bird]

Good thought Dave.

I ran across this site a while ago and forgot about until Dave jogged my memory.

Worth taking a look at.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2F1157.htm

[jopizz]

If the map light doesn't work either with the door open or by using the switch it's probably the fuse on the headlight switch. I just blew mine out recently while repairing the map light switch. There are two fuses on the back of the headlight switch. I believe it's the top one if I remember right. You can replace it without taking the switch out but it's not easy. I had to lay under the dash to get to it. Just remember to take the battery cable off for safety.

John

[sunnybob]

Thank you for your answers..My problem is the light is always on.. I already cheked the door switches but they seems good. So I suppose there is a contact somewhere....I will check near the Light switch.

[jopizz]

The map light switch is made really cheaply. The contacts are probably just corroded in the on position. You can take it apart by bending open the four tabs and cleaning the contacts. That's what I had to do to mine. If you unplug the two door switches and and the light stays on it's most likely the map switch.