Dome/Courtesy lights will not turn off

[Alaskavans]

Hi all. This is my first post. I like this site, good solid info, but I am not computer savvy. I have a '95 Safari SLE that decided to keep its dome lights on all the time. I checked the dash light dimmer to make sure it is not on and I turned off the open door override (Dome Lamp Defeat Switch). Lifted' had posted a '98 partial diagram, and if it had been a door switch, the override switch would have broken the ground (thus the circuit), so I am thinking it could be the relay, but it is not in the partial diagram. Also, I do not know what this relay looks like or where it is located. I pulled the fuse to save my battery, but it sure is dark. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanx.
P.S. I was asked how many wheels on an Astro van (my wife has that one), I thought it was a trick question, so I put 5. They would not let me join if I used a number larger than 4, so I put 4, but my wife's Astro has 5. Is this a conundrum?:)

[Smiliesafari]

The light switch on the forward door jam of the slider came from the factory with a plastic cap. It provided enough movement for the switch to turn the light off. On my '96 that cap broke off thus keeping the light on all of the time. I glued a small vacuum cap on the switch and it solved the problem.

[mdmead]

I don't have an answer, but Skip's seemed a great place to start.

Regarding wheels... I guess the Astro's are cheaper than the Safaris. My Safari has six, not five. Four, plus the spare, and a steering wheel. (Guess the steering wheel doesn't come with the Astro...)

[Alaskavans]

Thanx for the feedback. I had already checked the door jam switches for the plastic cap, but then realized that if it were a door switch problem the Dome Lamp Defeat switch would have overridden it as electrically it would act like an open door. I am still leaning towards the relay. If I remember correctly, normally when I get in and turn on the key or start it or put it in drive (one of those) the dome lights go out (which is a relay function I would guess), and they are not going out.

I have heard the control for the instrument panel illumination called a wheel also. Gosh, that is a tricky question. Alaskavans

[6spd_monte]

It sounds to me like a short in the dome lamp circuit somewhere. It the power side of the circuit is shorted, the fuse should pop. If the ground side is shorted, the lights stay on. A good place to start checking is with the housing for the rear lamp. On two vehicles I've had the wire short against the roof panel right where the lamp base screws in. Just remove the cover like you're going to change the bulb, then unscrew the housing base. After it's loose grab the wires and wiggle them a bit. If the lights flicker or go out you know you're close!

Now, my experience is with older vehicles. The dome lamp on a '95 may be completely different and my suggestion may be totally useless.

Good luck!

[Alaskavans]

Thanx for the tip. I will have to check it out. I am still hoping someone can help me identify and locate the dome lamp relay. Thanx, Alaskavans

[CaptSquid]

Sadly, the dome lamp relay is in the headlight switch. Can you say $$$? That, or a trip to the JY.

[Alaskavans]

Thankyou for such encouraging info, I was thinking more along the lines of a little cube under the dash that just plugged in. Guess that would be too simple.

Thanx, Alaskavans

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Got your PM. Looking through my 1998 FSM, there is no separate relay for the interior lights. I don't know if the 1995's are wired the same or not though. It appears as it is all done through the dimmer wheel or the interior lamp control module. The following 2 wiring diagrams are the only ones showing the dome lights. According to my FSM, the ILCM is located on the data link connector bracket.





Since the lights stay on, they are being grounded. On the drawings, you will see triangles containing the letters A and C. A is supplied power to all dome lamps and C is the ground side of the lamps. If you have the ILCM and unplug it, the lights should go out. If they don't, you have a ground wire grounded where it isn't supposed to be.

[Alaskavans]

Appreciate the info. Will check it out and let you know if I find anything.
Thanx, Alaskavans

95 Safari AWD SLE
96 Astro AWD