unknown light socket

[LSprad]

On my 74 under the dash, drivers side, there is a light socket terminal..... I suspect....not sure if so. There is no buld in it but there are 2 violet wires attached to the 3 prong socket. they seem to have a connection to the courtesy light. Does anyone know this socket.

[manoa matt]

That socket is referred to as the "current receptacle" There is an ultra rare inspection lamp (flashlight with a cord) that plugs into that socket so you can look around wherever in the dark. Ventura Ace has one of the inspection lamps.

[LSprad]

Ventura Ace? I'm not sure if you are referring to a company or a person. Nothing came up when I searched the internet for that name. Can you provide me with additional info. Thanks mucho....

[spiderrey]

Lets see a pic ace

[manoa matt]

Sorry, Ventura Ace (Alvon) is a forum member. A search of his name may bring up too many hits. Try searching in the following sections for "inspection lamp"

Fiat spider related
Off topic and social
Electrical issues
General maintenance
custom stuff

"Nothing came up when I searched the internet for that name.." Whoa, sorry Alvon, must not be that popular.

[ventura ace]

Lets see a pic ace

OK, here you go. The receptacle is for an "Inspection Lamp", which was an option you could buy from the Fiat dealers, wayback when. Dwight Varnes sent me a surprise package several years ago, and all he would tell me is it is something I'd never seen before -- but it was something that I had asked about a few times, just like you did when you started this thread. The owner's manuals for these spiders point to the receptacle, and I'll show you pictures of 2 different design receptacles (pre-1970, and 1970-on).

First, the Inspection Lamp canister:


Opened:


Lamp removed from canister:


The pre-1970 receptacle, as found on the left lower side of the steering column:


The 1970-on receptacle, and an adapter I had to make so that I can plug the lamp into my 1970 spider:


Alvon

[LSprad]

WHOW now I've seen and learned a lot more than I thought......my thought being a light socket that I tryed every bulb in my collection to fit inside the receptacle. What a bummy I was.... now I'm a smarter dummy

[spiderrey]

Damn it Ace, now I gotta get one. Didnt even know it existed.

[mdrburchette]

Don't feel bad. Anyone that's spent time on their head in the floorboard of a Spider has tried finding a bulb to fit that receptacle. Ace is the only fella on God's green Earth with an inspection lamp.

[narfire]

Ok now you have me wondering. Going to have to have a look at the 72's
Chris

[majicwrench]

Methinks since that inspection light of Ace's really belongs with a later model car, he should send it my way so I have one for my 72.

[mdrburchette]

I already tried that. He ain't budging.

[ventura ace]

Methinks since that inspection light of Ace's really belongs with a later model car, he should send it my way so I have one for my 72.

Yep not budging at the moment!

Maybe my explanation was lacking. The connector that came with the one in the pictures is for cars from early 1970 and before. The receptacle design changed sometime mid-year 1970. For cars made in the last half of 1970 (like mine) and later, the cars have the plastic receptacle.

Y'all might want to look at your car's receptacle to verify, but that's what I've seen so far. Did they put this receptacle in all the cars up through 1985? If no, when did they quit putting it in the cars?

Alvon

[narfire]

In my 80, just took the pic

Chris

[Exit98]

That's a new one on me.

I bought a brand new 72 back in the day. My dealer never offered to sell me an inspection light. Don't think there was any mention of such a thing in the owner's manual either.

This is all news to me. So my current 76 should have such a receptical? I'm away now but I'll look when we get back home.