Interior Lights
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Interior Lights
My interior lights all come on and work perfectly only when I turn them on using the switch at the Headlight switch. The interior lights will not come on when I open either door. Does anyone know what the problem might be? Thank you!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 7
From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
Also, the switches 'ground' (close the circuit) when the door is opened (and the switch pops-out) and 'opens' the circuit when the door is closed (switch pushed in).
Unfortunately, they often fail electrically, failing to 'close' the circuit.
One other option to taking the switch out of the car to test is to check you dash -- when door is openned, a 'door ajar' light should illuminate (does on our 94).
Further, if you have the FSM, the CCM has a test function to display the 'state' of its inputs -- so you can use that feature to display the status of the door switches.
Lastly, often if the door switches do not operate correctly, the alarm system does not set, nor does the PKE (key FOB) work correctly -- so if your having problem with these systems, it's further evidence it could be just the door switches -- as well as a heads-up -- as the alarm may not be setting -- ouch..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,449
Likes: 344
From: SC
I had the same problem, most likely the timer relay.
This is an easier way to bypass the relay. Drop the hush panel on the passenger side and look for the white wire that goes to the light. Next remove the door sill so you can access the door pin switch in the door jam. There is a white wire, sometimes two, going to the pin switch. Run a jumper wire between the two white wires and the relay will be bypassed. This is much easier than hunting for the relay which is hard to access unless you know exactly where it is. As mentioned, the door pin switch will be used to ground the interior lights. I did this and lights now work when both doors are opened.
This is an easier way to bypass the relay. Drop the hush panel on the passenger side and look for the white wire that goes to the light. Next remove the door sill so you can access the door pin switch in the door jam. There is a white wire, sometimes two, going to the pin switch. Run a jumper wire between the two white wires and the relay will be bypassed. This is much easier than hunting for the relay which is hard to access unless you know exactly where it is. As mentioned, the door pin switch will be used to ground the interior lights. I did this and lights now work when both doors are opened.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Awesome! Thank you for your help. The door ajar does light up for both doors and the alarm system works (I set it off to make sure). I'm going to try the relay jump this weekend and I will let you know! Thank you! 
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 7
From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
I had the same problem, most likely the timer relay.
This is an easier way to bypass the relay. Drop the hush panel on the passenger side and look for the white wire that goes to the light. Next remove the door sill so you can access the door pin switch in the door jam. There is a white wire, sometimes two, going to the pin switch. Run a jumper wire between the two white wires and the relay will be bypassed. This is much easier than hunting for the relay which is hard to access unless you know exactly where it is. As mentioned, the door pin switch will be used to ground the interior lights. I did this and lights now work when both doors are opened.
This is an easier way to bypass the relay. Drop the hush panel on the passenger side and look for the white wire that goes to the light. Next remove the door sill so you can access the door pin switch in the door jam. There is a white wire, sometimes two, going to the pin switch. Run a jumper wire between the two white wires and the relay will be bypassed. This is much easier than hunting for the relay which is hard to access unless you know exactly where it is. As mentioned, the door pin switch will be used to ground the interior lights. I did this and lights now work when both doors are opened.
very creative way to 'test' the relay, however, I would not recommend retaining the bypass for any length of time.remember relays are not added just because -- they separate two different circuits because of different amperages and likely wire gauges, fuse ratings, etc.
Also, the door switches are powered by the CCM (or PKE) which detects the 'ground' occuring -- to add an additional power source to the door switch may damage the CCM or PKE or exceed the amerage rating of the contacts in the door switch, all a costly alternative to just replacing the relay, which likely only costs a few dollars and requires just a little time upside down with your head in your dash
