Interior Lights Stopped Working

[VTrescueS2000]

About a month ago my interior lights (those on the rear view mirror) stopped coming on with the usual unlocking of the doors or removal of the key from the ignition. Nothing unusual happened when they stopped - they just stopped.

The lights will still turn on with the switches and the "headlights on" and "key in" audible warnings still operate normally with the door switch.

Any ideas?

Edit: Also noticed that the car locks itself as though it thinks the doors are closed and it was left unlocked (for instance while I'm cleaning the interior with the keys in my pocket.). I've read that this might indicate the door switch but then why would the "headlights on" and "key in" audible warnings still work normally?

[repiv]

You may have a bad ground in the door switches. Some functions rely upon the systems knowing when the door is opened. If the door switch doesn't ground when you open the door, it's like you didn't open it. You may have to disassemble the door swithes and clean the contacts. It grounds to body. There could also be a short (frayed wire) somewhere. Having keys in pocket while working in the car may cause a button to inadvertently be pushed.
Do you have an alarm (OEM or aftermarket)? This could be related to a malfunction or short in the alarm.

[bimdub]

if you unlock the doors with the key fob, after a few minutes they will re lock if you do not put the key into the ignition. this can easily get you locked out...so be very careful not to leave the keys laying on the dash...ect... when cleaning the car.

[VTrescueS2000]

No alarm system just the factory keyless. The kicker is the doors didn't used to lock themselves as described by bimdub.

I'll try the door switch cleaning and such - any idea where to look for instructions of pulling that thing out?

[Skakum]

About a month ago my interior lights (those on the rear view mirror) stopped coming on with the usual unlocking of the doors or removal of the key from the ignition. Nothing unusual happened when they stopped - they just stopped.

The lights will still turn on with the switches and the "headlights on" and "key in" audible warnings still operate normally with the door switch.

Any ideas?

Edit: Also noticed that the car locks itself as though it thinks the doors are closed and it was left unlocked (for instance while I'm cleaning the interior with the keys in my pocket.). I've read that this might indicate the door switch but then why would the "headlights on" and "key in" audible warnings still work normally?

I had this issue on mine and I ended up taking apart the lights and cleaning the metal contacts inside it. Somehow over time the contacts got dirty and fully prevented my lights from coming on at all. The metal that needed to be cleaned was part of the sliding switch function. After that, it worked just fine every time! :rockon:

More than likely Repiv and everyone else is more correct than me but that was my problem in your case.

[gomarlins3]

I agree with the door switches as the problem. I have had it in other cars and have it from time totime now in the S.

[VTrescueS2000]

So I took the door switch out and cleaned the terminals and no change.

I decided to take a look inside the light fixture (which, btw, someone could have warned me would involve taking down all the trim around the windshield!) and initially nothing looked awry.

But then I took apart the slide switch and sure enough - corrosion central! 20 minutes, a runaway ball bearing, and a scotchbrite pad later the problem is all fixed.

Of course, in the process, being such a huge klutz I knocked my rear view mirror off so if anyone could send me a diagram of how these parts are supposed to go together I'd appreciate it. Sheesh.

[repiv]

This is all I've got.

Loosening this screw will allow the inner metal disc to move away from the body of the base.
http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/43262/2158776790025981935S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2158776790025981935zKqnCt)

This then allows the disc to slide up into the slot in the thing stuck to the windshield.
http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/12859/2623080890025981935S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2623080890025981935xDgzbK)

This is what the disc looks like.
http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/29379/2009515050025981935S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2009515050025981935yQFsZz)

[repiv]

I had this issue on mine and I ended up taking apart the lights and cleaning the metal contacts inside it. Somehow over time the contacts got dirty and fully prevented my lights from coming on at all. The metal that needed to be cleaned was part of the sliding switch function. After that, it worked just fine every time! :rockon:

More than likely Repiv and everyone else is more correct than me but that was my problem in your case.

You win! :thumbup: :D

[Daddydidntbuyit]

No alarm system just the factory keyless. The kicker is the doors didn't used to lock themselves as described by bimdub.

I'll try the door switch cleaning and such - any idea where to look for instructions of pulling that thing out?



I had the same exact issue just a week ago.

Turned out to be a bad ground with my radio. Go figure.



I was getting locked in and sitting in the dark for a week before I finally figured it out.

[darkside]

Good thing I have those lights off anyways.