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Interior light problem

S

steel

New CEG'er
Joined
Dec 2, 2004
Messages
22
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
OK I've searched and searched and can't find my exact problem. My interior lights stay on after the car is started. Before you throwout the check the oreo or dimmer switch, I have a 98 SVT and the switch just dims it does not turn interior lights on. Now, I've sat in the car and watched my lights go out after about 12 seconds then I've opened and closed each door (one at a time) and watched the lights go out after about 12 seconds then I start the car and the lights come on and stay on. Now you can turn the overhead off at the switch but the bottom feet lights stay on. I know I could pull the bulbs and just be happy but I'd like to know what's causing the problem. I ran the Central Timer Module test and everything passes (point to note, once the test was finished, if I started the car without going off with the ignition the interior lights do not come on, but if I finish the test turn the ignition off then on and start the car the interior lights come on and stay on!). Even though everything else works with the Central Timer (defrost, wiper, seat belt light) I'm thinking it could be the culprit. I did get a new battery a couple of weeks ago, I'm pretty sure I've driven this car at night several times after changing the battery without the interior light problem but I'm going to try disconnecting the battery to see if it resets anything. Sorry for the long post, I'm just trying to save those of you who will post the obvious.
 
There was a thread recently about only the footwell lights staying on. I'll do a quit search to see if I can turn anything up.
 
Search for the control timer module test posted by... hmm.. damnit.. I can never remember.

Anyway.. it outlines a method of steps (turn key to ON, hit window switch, blink three times, count to four in german, etc) and it gives you a yay/nay on a test for each specific item, then the module itself.
 
Ray thanks but I already did this (it's in my original text) and I have done a good bit of post searching, I'm just looking to see if someone had this problem and didn't post anything or came across an answer which they didn't post. With that said I would like to mention that this forum has been great, I think I first started visiting it in the late 90's (lost my original logon years ago between computer and military assignment changes). This car is still one of the best driving cars I've been in for its age (except in the snow!!!)
 
OK, looks like no pearls of wisdom, after I finish my sons FAFSA, I'm going to try and see if disconnecting the battery resets anything
 
It's the door switch. When the door is open, the switch closes and creates a path to ground. 99% of the time its the drivers door one. Replace it, autozone stocks them.
 
The door switch? Even though when you open it the lights come on and when you close it the lights go off? The lights come back on when you start the car.
 
OK finally found one post back in '04 that had the same problems. The author tried everything that I have and eventually put a switch in to turn the courtesy lights on and off when the car is running. I'd PM him but he didn't leave email (errrrr).
 
Took drivers courtesy light door switch out, well no lights until I started the car and guess what they came on and stayed on. Is there a connection in the ignition switch?
 
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