Boot/trunk light wiring

[col320ce]

Where is the correct place for the ground wire to the boot light to be grounded?

Someone wired the boot light to the rear light cluster so it only worked when the headlights were on.

Thanks for any help...

[Paul & Dolly]

They were wired differently, depending on model , year and market destination.
The wires exit the lid near the left hinge.

Paul
Maybe this post should be in electrical section ?

[Jordan]

I believe the boot/trunk light is only suppose to come on when the headlights are on.  At least that is the way mine is wired up.

[Jonny B]

Whether the light comes one, depends on the car year. In my 1970 280 SL, the trunk light comes on whenever the lid is opened. I don't know if that is for the 280 SL full run, or where the break point is.

[col320ce]

Here is a picture of what is on my car.... The second picture shows where it was attached.  The white wires don't look original to me and as far as I can tell it looks like there should be an active coming from the 'box 46' in the left footwell to the boot light and an active earthing it and I'm guessing it is somewhere in the boot?
It's a march 1964 230sl.
Dose anyone else have a boot light on a 230sl that only comes on with the headlights?

[66andBlue]

Until VIN 012467 all standard 230SLs came without a trunk light in the trunk lid. However, one could order one (from  the W100 series) for extra money (don't know the SA number) but those were really really rare.
Trunk illumination was provided through a clear opening in the bulb holder for the tail lights: https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/TailLights

[col320ce]

So it looks like it is correct to be wired in to the headlights. 

Is my boot a later replacement as it has the correct cutout for the light in the boot lid?

[Paul & Dolly]

Hi Col

The kit you have all looks correct except for that white wireing...

I think some were wired to the lights, and some to the ignition, both pretty useless if you need to see in there to remove luggage after parking in the dark.

I ran a permanent fused live to rewire mine, it is an effective illuminator now !

Have fun

Paul

[col320ce]

Wired it up with black wires...  permanent positive to the radio and grounded to the tail light ground. Works like a charm!

[beachbear]

Hoping this thread will help me too. My trunk light hasn't worked for a long time. It's more of a "C" drawer type of problem. I don't recall if it worked before a few regrettable repairs were made in the '90's. Anyway, now the harness has sheared where the two wires bridge the trunk hinge. This makes it easy to confirm that I have no voltage present (mine seems to be a red/yellow/white wire). Because of this thread, I checked for voltage with the lights on. Still nothing. The wiring diagram seems to show that the wire runs from fuse #1. Everything else powered by that fuse: door entry switches, flashers, all work. The diagram seems to indicate that this wire runs to the rear harness connector first. Can anyone confirm this? Is the rear harness connector actually located behind the fender panel of the left door? Can anyone describe how the harness runs from the dash to the trunk? What do I need to expose if I have to examine the wiring harness running to the trunk?

[col320ce]

In my car the wiring harness to the boot runs along the left side under the chrome trim where the door closes. The plug is in the left footwell just above the vertical trim panel and that is where I'd look for voltage.
My interior is mostly out so it was easy for me to run a wire...

[Jordan]

Beachbear, the connector for the rear wiring harness is under the drivers side dash on the outside wall.  In the picture below it is NOT the connector circled but the one just behind it, you can see about half of it.  The wires from it go down to the floor and then head to the back.  You can read this thread and it might help although it deals with a different problem it discusses the rear harness connector.  Hope it helps.

http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=24880.0