Interior and running board lights....

[Wickd_Exp]

Hey all,

New to the forum, but not new to Expy's. I currently have a 97 EB, and had a 98 XLT. I love these trucks.

Well, I have searched the forums and the internet in general and can not find an answer to my problem. All of my interior lights work, but do not turn on when any door is opened or with the dash switch. I have checked all fuses and turned on each light using the switch on each one. I don't know if this is related or not, but my 3rd brake light is out, too.

I have sprayed the door latches with WD40, and can not find any trace of a short any where.

What should I be looking for next? Does anyone know exactly which relay controls the interior/running board lighting? I haven't gotten a factory service manual for this vehicle yet, as I just got it about a week ago, but I do have a Haynes from my last Expy.

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Thomas

 

[hardlife]

I know if you do find what caused it a bunch of people on here would like to know. I've seen a few times where guys want to disable the "lights on when door open" condition. Good luck and please share!

 

[riccoh]

start by checking the third brake light, if you replace the bulbs there since ecverything is running on the same circuit it might fix your problem.

 

[tallsville]

@hardlife on my 03 just turn the dimmer switch down until it clicks. the lights are off with doors open. not sure if thats how it works on other models.

 

[BigDaddy]

Talls, that doesn't work with the earlier models...unfortunately.

 

[hellrazer]

i had a problem similar to this in my sho which uses a similar comtrol box for the remote keyless entry and stuff and my problem was in the wiring to the box. i dont know if the expys are set up the same way but all my interior lights and stuff all went through that box. hope this helps
Jason

 

[Wickd_Exp]

I know if you do find what caused it a bunch of people on here would like to know. I've seen a few times where guys want to disable the "lights on when door open" condition. Good luck and please share!

Well, I did finally solve this "puzzle". Its seems that if you pull the very top, left relay (rectangular silver one about an inch wide) from the drivers side interior fuse panel, you will disable the interior lighting from coming on when any door or hatch is opened. It also disables your being able to turn the lights on with the dimmer switch. The lights will still function via the switch on each light, but you will not be able to turn them all on at once. Doesn't seem to affect any other circuit, that I was able to notice (but it may differ on your truck). Just FYI, my truck is a 97 EB with the 4.6.

If you try this on your truck, please post your results and let us know what happens.

Thanks to those that tried to help. You guys rock! Keep up the good work.

 

[hardlife]

Mine is an 02 so everything should be pretty damn close. Thanks, will try when I cen get some free time... riiiiight, whatever that is.

 

[z168]

Well, I did finally solve this "puzzle". Its seems that if you pull the very top, left relay (rectangular silver one about an inch wide) from the drivers side interior fuse panel, you will disable the interior lighting from coming on when any door or hatch is opened. It also disables your being able to turn the lights on with the dimmer switch. The lights will still function via the switch on each light, but you will not be able to turn them all on at once. Doesn't seem to affect any other circuit, that I was able to notice (but it may differ on your truck). Just FYI, my truck is a 97 EB with the 4.6.

If you try this on your truck, please post your results and let us know what happens.

Thanks to those that tried to help. You guys rock! Keep up the good work.

theres our answer!! If we can wire that relay separately and to a separate switch, we can disable the interior lights!!!

is the fuse panel in the engine bay or under the dash?

 

[Wickd_Exp]

theres our answer!! If we can wire that relay separately and to a separate switch, we can disable the interior lights!!!

is the fuse panel in the engine bay or under the dash?

It is the fuse panel under the dash... I'm sure someone can come up with a way to wire in a toggle switch somehow....

There is the next challenge for you guys!

 

[z168]

It is the fuse panel under the dash... I'm sure someone can come up with a way to wire in a toggle switch somehow....

There is the next challenge for you guys!

For sure! I will work on it as soon as I get my fog lamps & bumpers done