::wanted::

[FB71]

I'm looking for a pic of the elusive "cargo lamp latch", the one with the switch to ground the cargo lamp. I'd like to reproduce the switch for mine.

[MONSOON]

Im not sure if this is what youre looking for. But its a thread from freshtiva.

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13997&highlight=upgrades

[25Horseplay]

PM Spiko, I just removed one from his parts car for him.

[bravekozak]

Half of the solution

http://www.bwbronze.com/festiva/cargo.jpg

Here is a closeup of a latch with the removable section of the contact screwed on.
The other half is part of the working cargo latch. I just did this before I found a complete one (which is installed on my car).
The gentleman at the junk yard expected me to buy the complete hatch and not take the latch only. The ground wire needs to be resoldered.

The idea is that the two copper contacts touch when the arm that the spring is on moves close (when it is opened). The act of closing the hatch pushes and locks the contacts apart.

The whole premise is a simple grounding operation.

[skeeters_keeper]

an alternative (and easier) solution is to do like htchbck did, and use a switch like is used on the front doors for the dome light. when you open the hatch, it'll ground, when you close it, it'll shut off, just like the dome light.

[freshtiva]

OR: ( a lot cheaper , easier to install, and a brighter light)

[FB71]

thanks everyone!

[stefan]

another option is a mercury switch

[FB71]

yup. I was just really curious what the switch looked like.

[bravekozak]

rivets

Almost all of the components in the latch are rivetted together. Since the stationary copper blade was in an inaccessible and non-removable spot to either rivet, tap or even self-thread screw, I gave up with the adapting process and decided to look for a complete one. I found the blue wire to solder on. It is this wire guide that is in the way of the mounting hole for the stationary copper grounding blade. I always look for a cargo light when I visit any junkyard Festivas. I will yank the latch first, if I find one. Solid rivets do a great job of holding things together. But, they are extremely difficult to get apart.

[freshtiva]

You can easily use a jumper like the one below for manual cargo light operation. Just plug it into the connection where the latch wire would plug into. There in an existing grounding point/bolt right there.

[festymick]

^That's what i did!
Remember these lights were fitted to the Aspire as well. (In Australia at least).
Exactly the same, only positioned on the hatch lid.