HELP!! Dome lights wont go out

[1995whitestang]

ok. they interior dome lights come on AS SOON AS you turn the car off. even before the doors open. then they stay on after you have got out and locked and closed doors. WTF is wrong? they stay on for like 30+ mins. then go off eventually. time varies but its always a while. whats going on? i cant have this running my battery down. and not to mention right now at night people can see everything inside the X!!!

PLEASE help. my X is i PITA right now. i gotta dump $300+ into it in the next 2 days in mainenence crap.

 

[Billy177]

make sure the dimmer switch isn't turned all the way up. sounds like it thinks the door is open. is te door ajar light on?

for now just turn the dimmer down until it clicks and the lights will go off

 

[1995whitestang]

dimmer switch is normal (not all the way up)

door ajar light is not on.

 

[Billy177]

sounds like th gem is going out

 

[1995whitestang]

Originally posted by Billy177
sounds like th gem is going out

is that the EEC/PCM (aka computor) or what?


and why would that only effect my dome lights?

 

[Billy177]

no it is a seperate computer it also controls the 4x4 and stuff.
i think it is called generic electronic module

 

[yob_yeknom]

Most common culprit is a door switch. If your door ajar light isn't on, it should rule that out though. Just to make sure the bulb behind it is actually working, does the door ajar light come on when you open a door? The key may have to be on for it to come on, I'm not sure.

A bad dimmer switch could also cause this problem.

Do you have a factory alarm / keyless entry?

 

[1995whitestang]

yes my door ajar light comes on. when key is in etc.

yes we have factory keyless entry/alarm.

my dad mentioned the door switch as he just replaced one in his 99 ranger and my uncles 99 turbo 350 deisel.

but my ajar light isnt on so i dont think thats it.

bad dimmer you say?

also our 4WD works so would that rule out the GEM? also where is the GEM locted and how much they run?

and how hard/expensive is replacing the dimmer switch.

im trying to get it all fixed this weekend. got lots to do starting tomorrow.

 

[Billy177]

should help http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=39426&highlight=gem+module

it is in the dash and i think it is just a harness

 

[mjbach]

Try wiggling the dimmer switch from side to side and see if affects the dome light. We had totally different symptoms with the dimmer switch than what you're having. Hopefully you have done some searches here.

You might be able to get at the dimmer switch by loosening up just the left side of the dash. If you you have small hands, you might be able to squeek it out. If you break the screw tabs you can glue them back on. We found dimmer at a junkyard ~$5 and got to experience removal from the junker.

 

[yob_yeknom]

You might be able to disconnect the dimmer switch by removing the plastic cover below the steering wheel and the metal plate behind it. You may be able to get your hand up to the back of the switch to disconnect it.

The lights should still come on when you open a door, even with the switch disconnected. If they come on when you open a door and go off when you close it, the dimmer switch is the culprit.

A Ford dealership can hook their computer to the GEM and see what is causing it to keep the lights on if it's not the dimmer switch.

 

[1995whitestang]

thanks guys. ive been searching this board for anything and cant find anything helpful.

ill try what you al mentone on friday. its my only free day. thanks and ill keep ya posted.

 

[mjbach]

As a temporary solution not to drain your battery you could remove all the bulbs that are staying on. Trouble shoot the problem with only one bulb (the easiest one to get to) still turned in.

Seems odd that it goes out after 30 minutes, almost like some kind of timer is set. Have you thoroughly read your owners manual? I recall some kind of option that was available in Canada, perhaps, that would turn off lights that were left on after a certain time period or something like that.

 

[Billy177]

after 30min the batt saver kicks in

 

[1995whitestang]

i have tried everything. i have jiggled the dimmer switch....nothing.

i pulled door panel back off on pass side from where i cut the wires to door lock actuator (since it broke) and thought maybe i had a loose wire....but nothing.


something tricky is going on here. AS SOON as the car is put from run to off (key switch) the lights come on. EVEN WITH KEY STILL IN IT!! WTH?


can for test the GEM to find out if its wrong? i just put $250 wasted dollars into the EXploder yesterday. to fix a problem $2 would have fixed. (lesson - never trust a shop. go look at what they tell ya is wrong before fixing )

anyways...think its GEM? something else? can ford test GEM?

this has been a week doing this. i dont like leaving the dome lights on for 30 mins.

 

[yob_yeknom]

Maybe I'm misreading your post or something because it still sounds like a door switch.

Go sit in your truck and close all the doors. Light stays on right? Put your key in the ignition. Does the chime start going off when you put the key in? If so, door switch or the GEM thinks a door is open.

To find out which door... Leave the key in the ingntion. Turn to the on position. Even with doors closed, chime sounds once after a few seconds and door ajar light comes on and stays on right?
Open each door one by one. The chime should sound each time you open a door. When you find the door that doesn't make the chime sound when you open it, that is the problem. (Don't forget to try the rear hatch and the hatch glass also!)
To determine if the switch is bad or if the GEM is having a problem thinking the door is open, just unplug the suspected switch, close all the doors, and see if the problem stops. (don't forget to wait a second to give the lights time to go off) If unplugging the switch solves it, the replace it. If it doesn't, Ford can check your GEM to see if it is the problem.

 

[1995whitestang]

fixed. it ws the passenger front door switch. which i am amazed since my door ajar light never came on. while lights on.

but i unplugged it and now all is better.


i thought it was that door, now i am right and it fixed.

thanks for the help!!!