I installed the trunk light in my '71 SSP. This is the style that has no trunk switch to activate. Problem is that the wire to the trunk light is always hot. The dome light is off and the map light is off.

How is the trunk light activated?

Isn't it a tilt switch?

It is.....

It's supposed to be hot, the switch closes when you open the trunk lid. Or, are you saying that it is hot to the touch?

I understand he means allways powered.

Its on that way. The socket is as mentioned a built in tilt switch unit, cutting the positive inside. Gets constant ground by chassis.

Dome and map light are switched by negative by the door jam switches and gets constant positive source, diff than the trunk light on 71 and lates B bodies

Wow, OK, thanks. That explains a few things I think. I was testing the wiring and bulb by trying to ground the housing to the tail light housing in the trunk and nothing was working but once in a while it would flicker. I must have had it at the incorrect angle. I didn't see anything "special" about the bulb housing so I didn't know there was a tilt switch in there.

I'll have to test the bulb housing to make sure it's working. Maybe I can convince the wife to get in the trunk so I can close it and she can tell me if the light goes off

light should go off way before close the trunk lid... maybe a foot before ( better if more ). Can't be just right when closing the lid because would mean the light will come on easilly parking on a slope like a driveway ( with front pointing down the driveway )

( wondering now how many cars can get its trunk light on in San Francisco LOL )