Courtesy dome light/door switch problem | Ford Explorer Forums

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Courtesy dome light/door switch problem

jakeEXbrown

New Member
Joined
July 29, 2016
Messages
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City, State
Erie, PA
Year, Model & Trim Level
2002 Eddie Bauer Explorer
Hi everyone, has anyone ever had this problem? My interior done lights (all 3, front, back, cargo) don't come on when I open the doors, but they turn on manually with their individual switches. Also, the dimmer switch by the headlight knob does absolutely nothing. Any ideas?
 



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Does the dimmer switch still dim the dash lights?

See if this helps:

apcxlu.png


BTW, the switches on them turn on different bulbs except for the cargo one.
 






Has anyone figured this out? Because my 2003 Limited has this problem now and it's frustrating.
 






The answer, as shown by the schematic, is that the instrument cluster microprocessor turns on the automatic lights and there are manual switches, too. BK/LtBlu is the wire to look for in the ceiling.

It's such a good thing that Ford ran this through a microprocessor because dome lights never worked right without a microprocessor. (Yes, they did). You might find the problem in the Battery Saver relay, only a Sawzall away, in the dash above the driver's left knee. Fuse 17, same place. Then the instrument cluster microprocessor is supposed to respond to door switches, so all the door switches might be bad or the microprocessor. Only a few hundred dollars for a Dealership to fix that high tech light switch. Then, you could find, as on my Explorer, that the BK/LtBlu wire is NOT connected to all the dome lights. In my car, the front dome light stays on all the time and the rear lights work as they were designed to work.

There it is, laid out for you. Check what you can, pay for what you can, and just give up if you don't want to tear out everything from the door liners to the dashboard to the headliner.

Personally, I carry a tiny LED flashlight so I can see inside the car at night.
 






That's an absolutely ridiculous concept, I can't believe they actually ran those lights through that processor. Have you found them for sale or did you just go to the dealer? Obviously I can live without but if it's a relatively cheap fix I'm gonna take care of it
 






Have you found them for sale or did you just go to the dealer?
I carry a tiny LED flashlight so I can see inside the car at night.
In other words, I found the bk/ltBlu in the ceiling pod and cut it. If I ever find the right ceiling pod bracket in a junk yard I will re-install the ceiling pod and have the manual interior light available.
 






In other words, I found the bk/ltBlu in the ceiling pod and cut it. If I ever find the right ceiling pod bracket in a junk yard I will re-install the ceiling pod and have the manual interior light available.
Check the wiring in the a pillar at the drivers door it is probably in there this is where the switch is
 






Are we talking police utility or regular explorer?
 






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