Cargo Area Light

[1988festivazoom]

i never did a write up on my car bc i didint have a camera back then, im doing one on the b6t tho. ok well we are getting way off here lol back to the problem with "tiva"

[crazyrog17]

I checked the options list and it doesn't say if my car should or should not have a cargo light.

I don't have one currently but I do have a hole where one should be.

Will there be wiring and a switch in the hatch latch on my '93 GL then? Sorry if this sounds noobish.

[Gomez]

If it comes down to just needing a latch off of an LX I will go to my JY's in the area. There are about 6 LX's in my LJY's. I will be able to supply a few of you with them. I will just need a light for myself in trade from one of ya'.

[bravekozak]

There is only a blue wire connector inside the rear hatch + connectors for the cargo light. The same cargo light is used on the old Mazda MPVs. Unfortunately, the cargo light functions by grounding the blue hatch wire to the latch when the lever swings to the latch open position. The factory latch has copper blades coming in contact with each other. You must find a latch wired for the cargo light, or devise a method to ground when the latch arm moves. That is why I have to extend the half blade I have to contact the latch arm. It is next to impossible to mount a second copper blade on a latch that has been solid rivetted. In the picture, the screw is isolated by plastic front and back, and the thin copper blade is supported by a plastic extension. I could not find a separate Festiva part number for a wired latch.

[bravekozak]

I felt it was necessary to take my rear latch out to clarify the operation of the cargo light:

Here is a picture of the latch open (contacts closed, cargo light on).
Here is a picture of the latch closed (contacts open, cargo light off).

Always look for a blue wire on the hatch latch on every Festiva. Someone may have taken the cargo light but forgot the latch.

[Gomez]

Someone may have taken the cargo light but forgot the latch.

That was the reason for my last post here. I got all of the lights from my yards when I was building my other car a couple years ago. I sold all of them but one. I guess that was the reason mine didn't work. I will try to pick them all up next time I go. But I still need a light for my '91.

[walth]

geez...gomez start a thread for yourself...

guys, navdoc doesn't have the latch...it's just the light with the switch built into the light itself. see:

I installed the one with the switch, not the one with the latch switch

it's a standard type you get out of an escort, mpv, aspire...idk whatever else. there's lots of cars that have them. it's nice just to have a light and it doesn't HAVE to be hatch latch operated. lol I have several of these and I only have one with the aspire latch and light combo. I'm working again tomorrow night but I'll try to grab a pic wednesday

[walth]

oh, and navdoc, you did put it on the passenger side right? cuz idk what kind of wiring is on the left but...the ones I've seen done are on the right.

[navdoc101]

Yep, Its installed where it belongs, Snaps in. There are 2 wires that I think goes to it. See pic in my Profile album " 'Tiva After" And thanks

[walth]

crud...can't see the wires you used. just wait til tomorrow I'll run up to nate's and take some pics. you shouldn't have to remove the plastic but just the little trap door

[navdoc101]

The wires are White with a Red stripe & Blue. Checked with a meter no power.

[wybnrml]

The wires are White with a Red stripe & Blue. Checked with a meter no power.

The blue wire would go to the hatch latch switch, I think. I have never installed a cargo light, but I would guess that the blue wire that goes to the latch is your ground, and that wire needs to be grounded.

[xaero_81]

X2 ^

[navdoc101]

Both wires had single connectors that fit on the light. The light has 2 post for single connectors.

[bravekozak]

The single blue wire is located inside the rear hatch along with the other wires for the third brake light, rear wiper and license plate lights.