Guru stumper. Interior light continued.

[phiebert]

OK, I posted the fact that my interior light stays on with the door closed but now I'm becoming baffled and need some guru advice.

The problem: Interior light stays on when doors closed on '94 RT. Light switch on mirror is set properly, headlamp switched is dialed properly, doors closed properly.

Added intrigue: Today I turned the ignition on and with both doors closed the chime doesn't sound. But when I open the driver's door the chime starts (as it should). So that must mean the door contact is working properly in that door. Now for the other side. When I open the passenger side door I can hear a relay/contact click under the dash by the steering column. Now that must mean that the contact in the passenger door is detecting open and closed properly too right?

So what is turning the interior light on? I am trying to solve this by any means but opening up the doors (which I've done before and don't feel like doing again if I can avoid it!).

I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks.

 

[Qualitywires.com]

Have you tried turning the pull out knob for the head lamp to the left? It happened in my Rt/10 1994 I had.

The head light knob when turned to the right and clicks..that keeps the interior lights on...turn it to the left and it should shut it off. I may have my left and right mixed up...give it a try. I be that is what causing it to stay on.

 

[phiebert]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by phiebert:
Light switch on mirror is set properly, headlamp switched is dialed properly, doors closed properly.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks ab, but unfortunately that is one of the first things I checked. See quote from my original message above..."headlight switch dialed properly". Although I guess it's not impossible that one of the switches clicks but doesn't actually switch properly.

 

[snowmann]

I had the exact same problem, it *****!!! You can do a temp fix by putting the switch in the "middle", you need to do a bit of a balencing act. However you will need to get your rear view replaced. Your switch is hosed just like mine was. It might work for a while, but it will get worse.

 

[Qualitywires.com]

check your switch. It could be faulty..Mine melted. The good news is you can pick another switch up pretty cheap since it's the same as the trucks (Dodge). I think I paid $20.00 napa

 

[joe117]

Get out the book with a schematic and look for a point, perhaps a relay, where you can measure to verify that both door switches are not only working but are controlling the relay. Check to see that the relay is really switching. Then do the same thing with the light switch. Trace in the schematic to a point where you can verify that the switch is doing what it is supposed to do. It has to be one of these things.

 

[phiebert]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ab:
check your switch. It could be faulty..Mine melted. The good news is you can pick another switch up pretty cheap since it's the same as the trucks (Dodge). I think I paid $20.00 napa

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Which switch ab? Is it the headlight or the mirror switch you had trouble with?

 

[Ulysses]

I didn't have the 94 wiring schematics, so I looked up the 2000 hoping they would be similar. It seems you can have several points where the problem can materialize. One obvious place is the Time Delay Relay. It's on the fuse block and is a round shaped object. Reseat that puppy.

It looks like the wire from the door latch to the Time Delay Relay (Door latch sense wire) is simply a path to ground when the door is closed. If that wire is clipped at the door/body interface, or bad connection at the door latch itself, you will not complete the loop and the light will stay on. Both driver and passenger door latch sense wires "Y" into one wire that connects to the Time Delay Relay.

Also out of the Time Delay Relay, a wire goes to the Dome Light. I didn't dig deep enough, but I assume that that is also a path to ground when the light is on.

Another spot is the switch on the Dome Lamp itself. If there is a short to ground, that will leave the light on.

From your description, everything seems to point to the Time Delay Relay, assuming all wires are good.

 

[phiebert]

Thanks Ulyssess, but I don't know if the '94s have a time delay? My light used to go off immediately on door close. So I'm thinking my system is simpler. I didn't get a chance today but hopefully on the weekend I can try some of your ideas.