Dome light / Alarm system trouble

[TwistedD85]

Whenever I unlock the doors with the keyfob and get in the car it doesn't matter if I sit there or start the car the dome light stays on the full amount of time. Usually when I turn the key into the accessories or starting position it turns off but after pulling the dash it won't. As far as I can tell there's nothing loose behind the dash or under but I must have done something, I just can't figure out what it is but it has to be something to do with the alarm system.

And while I'm on the subject of the alarm system I at first thought my alarm speaker didn't work anymore but it turns out it's just became whisper quiet. I know it's not the speaker itself because on a rare occation it'll actually return to full volume, at least until something makes it go quiet again. I've never messed with an alarm system before so I'm really in the dark about where to look or what to do, all I know is the fuses are fine, that's it. After that I have no clue

Thanks for any help, I suck at electrical, if it's plugged in and the fuses are fine but it's still not working I'm lost :thankyou:

 

[Eric VerValin]

There is probally a really short ground wire somewhere coming off the speaker... if you know where it is, you should see a wire that is just screwed down somewhere. Take it off, and clean it with some sandpaper, then put it back. A lot of times guys will just use a self tapper and screw it to a shock tower... if it corrodes, it won't get grounded well and it will get quiet.


And is this a factory alarm? Mine (91, 92...) never had one so I"m not familair with them. If its after market... thats a little different.

 

[TwistedD85]

I think it's Ford, but I can't be sure. More than likely not, I don't think Ford wrapped the speaker wires over the wire loom, not sure though, it was a parts car just put back together so it could be a driver. Since it's wrapped like it is I can't trace the wires back, they just disappear into the darkness then reappear and vanish into the grommet, I believe so anyways. It's late and I'm hopped up on sugar so I could be mistaken.

 

[Eric VerValin]

The wire's are wrapped by the speaker? One probally peels off that and is grounded somewhere close. Thats how I did my fog lights even. I ran a power wire, but grounded the lights themeselves really close to the light. Less wire, less resistance, less problems.

 

[TwistedD85]

Nah, the red and black wire run all the way down some random piece of wire loom and vanishes into the cabin somewhere, I think it's hooked up directly, but again I'll have to check tomorrow when there's some light.

 

[TwistedD85]

Still haven't gotten to check the wiring yet, car is being used by someone else during the day. I did notice while the dome light stays on for too long it never turns on when I turn the key off like it usually does. Just another symptom.

 

[TwistedD85]

Okay and another symptom I didn't notice until now, it's not locking automatically once I turn the key. I'm guessing I must have done something in the dash. Just don't have much of an idea where to look, must have something to do with the lock cylinder or something going to it.