Interior lights problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
Interior lights problem
My 96 interior lights all work fine, but not all the time. would a weak battery cause them not to go on when you open the door? I recently charged the battery and they worked fine, Now the battery is 12,5 V and they won't turn on.
Thanks
Thanks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
96 interior lights
Thanks for responding.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
Chris44m, I put the charger on the battery and about 30 min later the lights came on. They are all working as normal, so I guess there is something like a safety switch that prevents them from going on when the battery is low. I'll get a new battery today and let you know if that's it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
went for a new battery and dealer said this one is perfect. He tested it, it had 875 CCA. So I'll charge it some more, clean up everything, although it all looked fine, and try again. Could it be a bad ground somewhere??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
Starting with the battery, then check the grounds, I think I read somewhere where the grounds to the frame are. The lights all come on at once as the voltage/amps increase so it's not individual lights/circuits. Thinking out loud, how am I doing?
Is there any guidance to find the grounding points.
Is there any guidance to find the grounding points.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
Thanks, that is my work list for this afternoon. I knew about the ambient light, even tried it in the dark. I could spray some electrical contact cleaner too.
I'll let you know how I'm doing.
God bless
I'll let you know how I'm doing.
God bless
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
Update: I've checked and cleaned the fuses, Battery is perfect, radio, dash lights, headlights, underhood lights, etc., all work fine, but the interior lights still do not come on. A few days ago while cleaning inside the car, they did come on, and for a few minutes the all worked as normal, bright and no flickering. That was the last time they worked. I tried holding my finger over the ambient light sensor for well longer than 10 seconds but that didn't work. Since every thing else works fine, I don't think it's a bad ground, could it be a problem with the ambient light sensor?????
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
I just checked the Ambient sensor with the doors closed, covered it for 10+, then opened the doors,.= No lights..
I had thought about the relay for the courtesy lights and "kind of" found it in the service manual. So I guess I know where it is, (on the right of the AC controls under the dash) but no clue how to get there.
It makes sense that it is the relay as it did work, then it got very dim, then once they all came on unexpectedly while the doors were opened, then several later attempts with no response.
Is this a job for the dealer?
I had thought about the relay for the courtesy lights and "kind of" found it in the service manual. So I guess I know where it is, (on the right of the AC controls under the dash) but no clue how to get there.
It makes sense that it is the relay as it did work, then it got very dim, then once they all came on unexpectedly while the doors were opened, then several later attempts with no response.
Is this a job for the dealer?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
I have the 96 FSM and found a picture of the relay box and it showed the relay position as you said. I couldn't find any info on how to get to it though. I'll go by your description and see what I find.
Thanks, I'm sure you have helped me.
God bless
Thanks, I'm sure you have helped me.
God bless
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,384
Likes: 2,736
8C section of the FSM should get you all the information you need. 8C-30 might be a good read. Is your FSM 'paper' or .pdf?
A '96 FSM I believe would put you with the IP Relay as being D*. 8C-29 should have an accurate image.
*D is only because there was no LT5 in '96.
A '96 FSM I believe would put you with the IP Relay as being D*. 8C-29 should have an accurate image.
*D is only because there was no LT5 in '96.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Jan 27, 2022 at 12:07 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,384
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If yours is a 'white preliminary' single it likely isn't there and some have bought .pdf from eBay for '96 and they actually didn't receive a complete '96. My '96 is 'COMPLETE'!!
Last edited by WVZR-1; Jan 31, 2022 at 03:34 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
I just tried, got as far as getting the end plate off and the lower dash on the outboard end is free. I can't find any screws/fasteners anywhere else. it seems there is on bolt holding the lower panel up and I can't find it. I'm afraid to start pulling stuff out for fear of breakage. I'm sure it's an easy trick once you know it.
But I don't and I'm stuck.
But I don't and I'm stuck.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,384
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The knee bolster image seems to show the relay cover/box. I wouldn't think it requires removal but I've never been in/under a '94+ right side dash with passenger SIR. Your experience might help many.
Will it correct your issue? I've no idea - I got here 'late'!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
I have the relay center and there are 4 relays in it. Do you have a picture of the center showing which relay is for the courtesy lights?
I didn't get the left side of the quiet foam piece off, but I can get the relay out if I know which one.
I didn't get the left side of the quiet foam piece off, but I can get the relay out if I know which one.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,384
Likes: 2,736
