Switches and outside light

gmshadow · 08-07-2006, 08:56 PM

Hi, I got a reprocopy of the owners manual, and can find no reference to a couple of what look like light switches. One is just inside the door and the other one is a couple feet fwd of the door and about a foot higher than the switch by the door. Have no idea what these are for as they don't seem to operate anything. Both are of the same style and look like rocker switches. Also on the outside is a light just forward of the door that looks similiar to the backup light in size and has a chrome bezzel around it, Says Signal-Stat or something like that along with maker etc. What is it and is one of the switches suppose to operate it?
Thanks

scottanlily · 08-07-2006, 09:29 PM

Hello gmshadow,

The large round light is a " scare light " as it is known and is made by signal stat or grote ,can be had new ,auto parts stores have them .One of the
switches should operate that light,do you have a much smaller light or
evidence of one above the door towards the front ? that too could be
switched by one of those as well .What year trailer is it ?

Scott

dwightdi · 08-07-2006, 09:42 PM

This light runs off the 12 volt power. Mostlikely the bulb is burnt out. It gives quite good light when it is working.

gmshadow · 08-08-2006, 09:12 AM

Is a 1969 Overlander Intl. Accidently found out the switch just inside the door operates one of the overhead ceiling lights if it is left on, can turn it off at the door. The Signal Stat light does not function. Bulb is ok. The inside switch that doesn't seem to operate anything is just below the light on the inside. There does not seem to be any other exterior lights on the outside. Actually light is just fwd of the side windows and just fwd of the awning.

dwightdi · 08-08-2006, 10:39 AM

A volt metter should tell you whether the switch is shot or the connection to it. I would start from the bulb socket and look to see if you have a good ground and then work backwards from there. If it is like mine the inside switch is a toggle switch and you can not get to the back of it or replace it without taking down an interior panel. Not something I would be willing to do just to fix an exterior light which I would rarely use. You can always just plug a light into the outside socket if you want a little light for the stairs.

Ken & Janice · 08-08-2006, 11:32 AM

My husband just spent all day Saturday checking out the electrical systems on our 70 Tradewind and had the identical questions about those switches. He found a couple of blown fuses, replaced them, and all is good to go now.

Bobz Hog · 08-28-2007, 04:58 PM

I had the same problem with my 68 Overlander. The switch on mine was slightly corroded and needed a good cleaning. I drilled out the rivets holding the switch to the inner skin and pulled the switch out of the wall. Then I used some dielectric cleaner and sprayed it into the switch. By turning on and off the switch several times, the contacts came clean and the scare light started to work again. I then squirted some Triflow into the switch to lubricate it, replaced it in the wall and re riveted it into place. The light works good as new.