Map light switch

kiss said

1971 dart, bone stock, map light only works if dome light is on (door open or headlight knob turned all the way to the left). Never touched the wiring
friend's 1970 duster did the exact same thing, at first I thought mine was wrong, but his functioned the same way.
the only thing the switch does is turn the map light off completely, or on only when the dome light is on

there must be more to this, would be interesting to hear from others

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I agree with everything said but the switch operation. Test the switch the 2 poles are common to each other when the switch is down. When the switch is up the lamp side pole shorts to case and opens to the yellow or door side pole.

I think what you are seeing is the switch case is not grounding well to the dash frame. Perhaps due to much paint or the switch is faulty.

The switch strictly allows you to turn just the map lamp on only while navigating the course so your co-pilot can read the map! Having the dome on distracts the driver!