What is this a fuse or what found it in some of my parts

[Specalist John]

Is this for my trunk light  I dont know

[Spinneyhill]

If it were in focus....

[Frank DuVal]

And a size reference.

[Specalist John]

Okay I will look at it and try to find a number on it

[Bhigdog]

Doing this from memory i,m going to say the mercury switch from a trunk lite....bob

[Specalist John]

Okay ..Thanks  Now where does it go..The bulb holder or in line somewhere 

[TerryB]

It would have to be somewhere on the trunk, maybe in the light housing.  The switch is ON when the tilt of the trunk lid causes the mercury inside to complete the electrical connection to the light.  This assumes the object in question is indeed a mercury switch.  If you know how to use the ohms feature on an electrical test meter you can verify if indeed this is what you have.

Terry

[Bhigdog]

It goes in the bulb socket itself. Lid up lite on. Lid down lite off. Other than the use of mercury a good fool proof system. GM used the system not sure of others.................Bob

Edited July 5, 2018 by Bhigdog (see edit history)

[Specalist John]

Okay ..Thanks  Now where does it goes...Yes,I tested the orange wire in the trunk and it has power ...

[Bhigdog]

Ok, Here we go............ If you remove the bulb and look in the socket the bottom contact you see is actually the end of the mercury capsule. It is held in a black plastic bushing. To disassemble: Push on the wire to push the bushing/capsule out of the socket. The capsule is a loose fit in the bushing don't drop it. To assemble: Capsule slides into bushing. Bushing slides into socket. Bulb goes in socket. Socket screws to deck lid. Note: The capsule will fit in bushing either end first. If you have it backwards the lite will come on when the lid closes..................Bob

[Specalist John]

Okay  Dang..The piece is screwed to the trunk lid. The wire is there... but the guts the internals are missing 

[Bhigdog]

1 hour ago, Specalist John said:

Okay  Dang..The piece is screwed to the trunk lid. The wire is there... but the guts the internals are missing 

How do you know the guts are missing? If they are there it looks just like a normal socket with a contact centered at the bottom. It's unlikely someone went through the trouble of removing the mercury capsule since 99.5% of folks are clueless. OTOH...... you have only the capsule so someone (???) did take their socket apart....................Bob............................Bob

[Specalist John]

Here is what I have  the orange wire leading to the socket,the mercury switch 

[Bhigdog]

You have the power source, (the orange wire). You have the complete socket/mercury switch. I've explained how they are assembled. Your challenge now is to take the physical objects, apply the given knowledge, and use common sense to repair it................Bob

[Specalist John]

Hey thanks  I've found the rest of it in my parts stuff..The wire with the  electrical contacts..

[Bhigdog]

1 hour ago, Specalist John said:

Hey thanks  I've found the rest of it in my parts stuff..The wire with the  electrical contacts..

There should also be a spring to push the contacts towards the bulb........................Bob

[Specalist John]

Yep it was. Just have to put it back together...Thanks my friend 

[Bhigdog]

You are most welcome.......................Bob