Interior light problem

[jakecat22]

Hi all, new SHO owner, picked up a 92. PO told me the battery kept draining and he didn't know why. Got it home the other day and determined that the interior lights, dome, foot wells and the light around the keyhole are not turning off, no matter how long the car sits, they just continually stay on. Now, the PO lied a bit, he knew why, because he removed the dome lights.

I am not an electrical guru. Any advice on where to start with this problem? If I pull the blue 15 amp fuse which controls the lights then my battery doesn't drain, unfortunately, this fuse also controls the radio and power mirrors.

I have done a search a tried spraying wd40 into all 4 door switches and it didn't solve the problem, so, I am open to any and all suggestions.

 

[SHOCH]

Random morning thoughts, headlight switch, dimmer switch and maybe PO was just trying to solve it.

 

[jakecat22]

Random morning thoughts, headlight switch, dimmer switch and maybe PO was just trying to solve it.

Thanks, I forgot to mention I did forget to mention, I did replace the dimmer switch with one from a junk yard, I was 100% sure that was the problem. The switch in the car did not "click" when you put it all the way up, so I thought it was stuck like that, but the new switch made no difference. Now I get the click, but the lights still don't go off. I will look at the headlight switch next.

 

[mrecoolgar]

Door jamb switch.
Open one door at a time, manually push switch to verify lights go off.

 

[jakecat22]

Door jamb switch.
Open one door at a time, manually push switch to verify lights go off.

Those are the switched the door hits as you close it, right? I tried that, one door at a time, and the lights still don't go off. Interestingly enough, the driver door jamb switch looks new like it has been replaced recently. If none of them are turning off the lights, is there any way to tell which is the problem?

 

[luigisho]

Just to make sure here, you have to do it with the lights off for each door i.e. pull the fuse or disconnect battery or something to turn the lights off before testing each switch. If you open the door, test the switch, and the lights stay on you can't go to the next door.

Also does the dimmer switch stay off or on when clicked into position? Don't have my car in town to check it.

 

[jakecat22]

Just to make sure here, you have to do it with the lights off for each door i.e. pull the fuse or disconnect battery or something to turn the lights off before testing each switch. If you open the door, test the switch, and the lights stay on you can't go to the next door.

Also does the dimmer switch stay off or on when clicked into position? Don't have my car in town to check it.

Dimmer switch stays on when clicked, and seems to be working normally(it dims the lights on the dash) when moving it down, it just will not turn off the dome lights.

So, if I am understanding correctly. Pull the fuse, open the door, hold the jamb shut with m finger or something else, then put in the fuse and see if the lights come on? If they do, before testing the next door, I must pull the fuse again? Hope that isn't confusing.

Silly stupid question, but how do you remove those jambs? I can just get the nut to spin and can't get it loose, is there a trick to it? Please tell me I don't have to get into the fender LOL.

 

[luigisho]

Several ways to do it. An extra set of hands would help but if not available, I would see if disconnecting the battery cable would do the same as removing the fuse as far as cutting the lights and resetting the circuit to off. Personal preference to save my back + pulling little fuses is a pain. Each door check has to be fresh. Open driver door push plunger in and check to see if it works. Cut the power with all doors closed to reset and go to the next door etc.

Do the interior lights stay on while driving the vehicle? I can't remember if the interior lights turn off immediately or there is a timer for them to cut off. If so, you need to keep the switch pushed in until the timer runs out to test each door. Now common failure items are headlight switch, dimmer switch and door jamb switch. After that a wiring diagram would be a good idea

 

[jakecat22]

Several ways to do it. An extra set of hands would help but if not available, I would see if disconnecting the battery cable would do the same as removing the fuse as far as cutting the lights and resetting the circuit to off. Personal preference to save my back + pulling little fuses is a pain. Each door check has to be fresh. Open driver door push plunger in and check to see if it works. Cut the power with all doors closed to reset and go to the next door etc.

Do the interior lights stay on while driving the vehicle? I can't remember if the interior lights turn off immediately or there is a timer for them to cut off. If so, you need to keep the switch pushed in until the timer runs out to test each door. Now common failure items are headlight switch, dimmer switch and door jamb switch. After that a wiring diagram would be a good idea

Yes, all the interior lights stay on while driving the car, they never shut off. I just checked all the door jambs. Pulling the fuse after each door. Nothing I did, short of pulling the fuse, turned off the lights, however(isn't there always one?) the RR door jamb appears to be either stuck, or not working properly. When I open that door, the button stays closed, I had to pull it to the out position with pliers......but when I push it in, it doesn't turn off the lights.....but it appears to be "sticking" and I can only assume it isn't working properly, so before I spin my wheels further, I think replacing that one switch would be the way to go for now?

Any clue how to get the little booger out of there? LOL

UPDATE: Nevermind, I got it out....now to locate a new one, install it, and see if the problem is fixed.

 

[jakecat22]

Thank you for the help everyone! After just removing the RR door jamb, upon starting the car, the lights on the interior went out. I shut off the car, opened the door, and shut it again, and the lights shut off after 30 seconds, so it appears I have found the culprit. I will just make a quick trip to the store to pick up a new one and it should be good to go. Thanks again!