Whats wrong with my light??

Hi Folks, Lack of an interior light is a pain !! Can someone tell me what is wrong with mine?? I have 3 backplates, they all look the same and I can't work out whats missing ! The switch is insulated from the base and makes no contact with the terminals.....Are ALL of my backplates worn out\broken??

Stoopid question, but there is power going to the lighting wires? Blubbs test out OK across a 12v source? If the bulbs work, and there is 12v at the wiring, then logically I guess it has to be the light units. They don't earth through the body, do they? Mine's Ok so not had occasion to examine its workings, yet.

As i see it . the live will go in on the right hand terminal . there will be a constant eath on one of the other terminals and the third terminal will go to the door switches to earth out when a door is opened .... Does the switch lever move the metal contact connected to the left hand bulb terminal to the left and right terminals by the switch when the switch lever is moved??

The little ball that rolls back and forth when you move the switch lever is missing........................... This completes the circuit.

There is supposed to be a ball bearing in the end of the plastic part, that's what makes the contact. It's missing.

Ahhh....now I see....Now where the heck am I gonna find a wee ballbearing ! I have 3 baseplates, and no ballbearing! Does anyone have a lightfitting they would like to sell....Get me out of the dark ages?

i see now .. you need a small ball bearing AND a spring it could be fixed ...

Gerry; It's not the most precise mechanism, so the spring and ball like to pop out of place and get lost, especially if the control lever is bent such that there is more room for both to escape, or if the contact area is dry causing erratic movement to the side...I'd try fitting a BB and a few windings from a spring from a pen...once you've assured a good fit and function, dab on a spot of synthgrease. Hook-up, see also ( Items 27, 28): Black (power) wire is connected to the terminal at lamp on left. Blue (door contact) wire is connected to the contact which (by inspection is determined) not to be connected to chassis when plate is mounted. (Sorry it's early and cold, and I don't feel like going outside to check this out, in my jammies!) Greetings of the Season from New England!