84 J Model Headliner Cabin Lights Wiring

[Ryan ORL]

Hey guys,

Recently had my 84 J into an avionics shop, and among the many things they had to do, one was replacing my Com 1 antenna, which apparently required removing the headliner.

All of that was fine, although they reported it was quite a task (the headliner), and everything works fine now with the antenna, but now my cabin headliner lights all don't work.

I've notified the shop and of course they'll fix it, but I'll need to fly some distance away and they don't have time to do it soon, so I wanted to do some basic troubleshooting myself to see if I can avoid all the hassle.

With a multimeter I confirmed that, in fact, there is no current coming to the bulb sockets themselves, so I suspect something was left unplugged or disconnected when the headliner was being reinstalled.  I've looked in the maintenance manual but I've been unable to find some diagram which describes where the wiring goes up into the headliner.  I obviously don't want to start removing panels to look for it.

So my question is this: does anybody know where the wiring that runs up to the headliner lights originates from, and is there some obvious place it could have been left disconnected?

[ArtVandelay]

It’s connected directly to the battery, check that it’s not a blown fuse, which is by the battery.

[Marauder]

18 minutes ago, Ryan ORL said:

Hey guys,

Recently had my 84 J into an avionics shop, and among the many things they had to do, one was replacing my Com 1 antenna, which apparently required removing the headliner.

All of that was fine, although they reported it was quite a task (the headliner), and everything works fine now with the antenna, but now my cabin headliner lights all don't work.

I've notified the shop and of course they'll fix it, but I'll need to fly some distance away and they don't have time to do it soon, so I wanted to do some basic troubleshooting myself to see if I can avoid all the hassle.

With a multimeter I confirmed that, in fact, there is no current coming to the bulb sockets themselves, so I suspect something was left unplugged or disconnected when the headliner was being reinstalled.  I've looked in the maintenance manual but I've been unable to find some diagram which describes where the wiring goes up into the headliner.  I obviously don't want to start removing panels to look for it.

So my question is this: does anybody know where the wiring that runs up to the headliner lights originates from, and is there some obvious place it could have been left disconnected?

There are some differences in the models. On my late model F, the overhead light power comes up from the pilot side front pillar (closest to the windshield). There may be a Molex connector under the pilot side panel (black, round connector) that they disconnected while doing the work. Also, there may be an inline fuse. You may need to check the wiring from the light back.

 

Disregard the arrow unless you are looking where your fuel sender is.

Edited May 5, 2021 by Marauder

[Ryan ORL]

10 minutes ago, ArtVandelay said:

It’s connected directly to the battery, check that it’s not a blown fuse, which is by the battery.

Thanks, will take a look back in the battery access compartment!

[PT20J]

The wiring diagrams are all in volume 2 of the Service and Maintenance Manual.

There is a connector for all the wiring in the headliner that can be disconnected to allow removal of the headliner. Unfortunately, it is located near the forward end of the headliner. This connector also disconnects the cabin speaker, and any sonalerts so if it got left unconnected, these will not work either. You might be able to reach the connector or at least see it to confirm that it is connected by removing the cabin speaker.

Skip

[Ryan ORL]

18 minutes ago, PT20J said:

The wiring diagrams are all in volume 2 of the Service and Maintenance Manual.

There is a connector for all the wiring in the headliner that can be disconnected to allow removal of the headliner. Unfortunately, it is located near the forward end of the headliner. This connector also disconnects the cabin speaker, and any sonalerts so if it got left unconnected, these will not work either. You might be able to reach the connector or at least see it to confirm that it is connected by removing the cabin speaker.

Skip

Good to know about the speaker stuff.  I did see the (gigantic) wiring diagrams and managed to find the headliner lights on there, but I didn't think much of them because I was more focused on physically where the connectors were located, and I wasn't sure how to determine that from the diagrams.

However, thinking about that now, my sonic alerts (stall horn, gear horn, etc) and speaker do actually work, so I suppose that connector must not have been disconnected and the problem may be elsewhere.

[PT20J]

3 minutes ago, Ryan ORL said:

Good to know about the speaker stuff.  I did see the (gigantic) wiring diagrams and managed to find the headliner lights on there, but I didn't think much of them because I was more focused on physically where the connectors were located, and I wasn't sure how to determine that from the diagrams.

However, thinking about that now, my sonic alerts (stall horn, gear horn, etc) and speaker do actually work, so I suppose that connector must not have been disconnected and the problem may be elsewhere.

The headliner is two pieces and there is a second connector that is just for the rear lights to allow the panels to be separated, but since you said none of the lights work, this is not likely the issue. The fuse in the back by the battery also powers the clock. 

Skip

[Ryan ORL]

55 minutes ago, PT20J said:

The fuse in the back by the battery also powers the clock.

As it happens, I forgot to mention my clock also stopped.  That's almost certainly it, thank you!

[carusoam]

Go MS!

-a-