dome lights are not turning on when opening the door

1992 CHEVROLET VAN
122,000 MILES • 5.7L • V6 • RWD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
A1HI
  • MEMBER
  • 31 POSTS
My dome lights do not come on when opening the door. I do not have power to door switch, bulbs good, check fuse box have two grounds. Used a power probe pos to try to activate light. Any suggestion to fix it?
Dec 3, 2016 at 8:20 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
CARADIODOC
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 34,321 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Start by checking at the dome light to see if you have twelve volts on both sides of the bulb. If you do not, we need to work back toward the fuse box. If you do, I will need to dig up a wiring diagram to see if there is a Body Computer involved. If there is, the diagnosis gets a lot more complicated.
Dec 3, 2016 at 11:16 PM
Avatar
A1HI
  • MEMBER
  • 31 POSTS
With the key off no voltage key on 6.5 volts on each side.
Dec 4, 2016 at 9:45 AM
Avatar
CARADIODOC
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 34,321 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Does the horn work? The horn and the interior lights are on the same fuse. If the horn works okay, the first suspect is the interior light switch, but not all vans use that. It is a dash switch that, when turned off, prevents any interior lights from turning on.

You need to have full battery voltage on one side of each interior bulb. You'll find it on both sides if all the door switches are turned off, meaning all the doors are closed. That 12-volt feed wire is the orange wire. The white wires go to ground through any of the door switches.

As shown on my diagram, some of the overhead interior lights only turn on with their individual switches, and they have their own ground circuits. If the dash switch is defective, those lights also will not work, in addition to the lights that turn on when a door is open.
Dec 5, 2016 at 7:40 PM
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.
Ask a Free Question
Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.