Overhead reading lamps - how do they work

[Explorer_PL]

How do I turn on the overhead reading lights in my 06 EB ? Let's say I am driving, and my wife needs her right lamp on, she'll push the black switch on her side, but it will not come on unless I turn all the lights in the car by turning the switch on my left ? Or if the kids in the back want the light on, pressing the black switches does nothing as well.
Thanks

 

[mechanic62]

First, I would tell my wifey to take a nap. Or better yet, just rest her head on my lap. Secondly, as you may have guessed, kids shouldn't touch anything in the truck! I don't even want to hear, "are we there yet"? Seriously, I don't have an answer for you. I am just bringing your question back to the top. But I do mean what I said.

 

[A Wise Guy]

In the front there are two bulbs in the overhead. One your side, one her side. The black button just gives the existing bulb power. Are you sure both bulbs are working? Does the black button on your side do anything? In the back (2nd row) there are three bulbs. Dome, map left, map right. I would start in back and see if you possibly have burnt out bulbs back there or possibly no power at the black switches. Did you check fuses?

Also, we should add keep your fingers off my windows.

 

[Explorer_PL]

OK, maybe I'll ask another way.
With the car running, all doors closed, can you turn on just individual "map" lamps (any of the 4)? I know bulbs are OK since when I open the doors all the lights come on.

PS: Thanks for the other 2 replies

 

[waskly]

each switch controls one bulb, the overhead console has 3 bulbs tho in it. one per side, and a center, when you exit, enter the vehicle.

are you sure the 2 side bulbs are good?

 

[A Wise Guy]

each switch controls one bulb, the overhead console has 3 bulbs tho in it. one per side, and a center, when you exit, enter the vehicle.

are you sure the 2 side bulbs are good?

Are you sure about that? When I looked at mine last night it didn't appear that way and the last time I had it open I don't remember a third bulb in front.

 

[waskly]

Are you sure about that? When I looked at mine last night it didn't appear that way and the last time I had it open I don't remember a third bulb in front.

damn it, 05 had 3 bulbs, 06 have 2 ..... sorry been a long time since i changed one of those bulbs.


could of sworn they kept the 3 bulbs after 05.

 

[Explorer_PL]

OK, so can anyone check that for me:

"OK, maybe I'll ask another way.
With the car running, all doors closed, can you turn on just individual "map" lamps (any of the 4)? I know bulbs are OK since when I open the doors all the lights come on."

That would answer whether I have a problem with my light settings or this is how it was designed to work on 06-10 Explorers.

Thanks all.

 

[A Wise Guy]

Yes , with the car running you should be able to press the black button and the light should turn on. In front the bulb serves both purposes, door open and map light. In back on the other hand there are different bulbs for door open and map lights so your original thought of the bulbs being good is only 1/2 true.

I assume with the doors closed all four black buttons do nothing?

 

[Explorer_PL]

Exactly, with the doors closed, nothing happens with the individual black buttons.
All of them come on with the doors opened.

The only way I can turn on the lights with closed doors, is to turn the dim knob all the way but that turns on all of them.

Thanks

 

[A Wise Guy]

In the back (2nd row) there are three bulbs. Dome, map left, map right. I would start in back and see if you possibly have burnt out bulbs back there or possibly no power at the black switches. Did you check fuses?

Feedback?

 

[Explorer_PL]

As soon I get to the car...I check.

Thanks

 

[Explorer_PL]

An update: I spent some time experimenting with the lights. Took the covers off.

Fuse: OK, I found the fuse # 23 in panel, it controls all the interior lights. It's good.

The front overhead lamp: it has 2 bulbs (each serving opposite seating position, meaning right bulb is for the driver). With the dome switch turned all the way till it clicked, I can turn on or off those bulbs with the switches (they are actually light grey, not black). The problem is it also keeps the middle center dome light on.

The middle light has 3 bulbs, all are good, i tested them, I even swapped the center with side one. I can not get the side map lamps in the middle (2nd seat) to turn on, doors closed or open, no difference.

The cargo light works fine and reacts to the slider switch.

Any ideas?

 

[thebrakeman]

I'm at work, and the Mounty is at home. But from memory:
1. Yes, I can turn on any of those lights individually w/o messing with the dimmer.
2. I can't remember for the truck, but on our minivan (previous family vehicle), the dimmer switch had a bottom position (all the way down to "click") which prevented any lights from coming on. This was nice with engine off, packing/unpacking, so no battery drain. All the way up "click" turned all lights on. In between was interior lights off, with slider/dimmer for the dash.

Perhaps you are stuck in that "lights off" position? Not sure. Look for other controls that may free up individual light control.

Another thought, some done lights have switches for "Off/Door/On". If each dome is set to "Off", the individual control won't work, but you might be able to overide with the dimmer switch "Up". In that case, move the dome switch to the "door" position. I know that the cargo area has this, but I can't remember about the middle and front.

 

[lokimoco]

I saw this thread and I had to chime in. I know exactly what you are talking about. My 06 Mountaineer has the same problem. None of the interior light will turn on unless the dimmer light is used to turn on all interior lights. Then the black switches will turn the map lights off if you want. But nothing works unless the dimmer is on. In my case, the vanity mirror lights don't work either. It has always been that way since I bought it. Recently I decided to ask my Ford service guy if that was normal. After a diagnostic, he said obviously that it is not normal and that the problem is the Smart Junction Box. He told me that it almost never fails, but mine is shot. They want $700 to replace it. I haven't decided on that yet. I will be interested in what you do.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Thanks Lokimoco.

At least I know
1) I am not going crazy since all my other cars in my life worked the other way
2) Ford did not design it that way

So it's a Smart Junction Box. I wonder wher it is and how much it costs by itself.

Thanks anyway.

 

[lokimoco]

Sorry I don't remember how much they wanted for the part. But I got the impression that it needed dealer programming. If anyone knows all there is to know about smart junction boxes, I am all ears.

 

[Explorer_PL]

From what I found out the SJB is the fuse box at your left knee inside the truck and it is integrated with other functions (that may explain why my truck unlocks all the doors sometimes for no reason). I saw used ones on EBay for other Ford models in 75-200 range, but if that needs programming, then it sucks. I can live without the map lights as opposed to spending hundreds.

I'll keep checking Ebay though.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Locimoco -

I am wondering if the dimmer switch is the issue where in the "middle" position before you click it all the way is not sending power to the map lights. JBS is a fuse panel so if there was an issue there, there would be no lights whatsoever. Just thinking.