'96 Ranger dome light

chas26 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-18-2003, 04:07 PM

I have a '96 Ranger XLT. Just recently the dome light stays on while the truck is running. I have checked both doors and door frames. For the life of me I do not see a switch. The light does go off eventually after the truck is shut off (without killing the battery). What or where is the switch for this light?
Thanks!

Ken00 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-18-2003, 04:18 PM

Welcome to Ford Truck Enthusiast!!

The switch is in the door latch and this is a very common problem. Spray electrical contact cleaner in the latch. If you do a search for door ajar you will find many posts.

DVLSH1 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-19-2003, 10:27 PM

hmm, ill have to try that, i have same prob on my 96 ranger xlt. Ford dealer told me it was faulty wiring and i would have to have it in shop overnight for them to fix it, kinda glad i didnt buy that story if that is all it is.

cbwarrior · #4 (**permalink**) 03-23-2003, 04:28 PM

Another thing to do is to lube the latches with a spray lithium lube and open/close the doors repeatedly. This usually fixes the problem. If it doesn't you will need to replace the latch because the switch is too baly rusted and is part of the latch.

Bob Ayers · #5 (**permalink**) 03-23-2003, 04:59 PM

Not true, you can replace the switches separately......
WD-40 normally does the trick.........

Rand · #6 (**permalink**) 03-23-2003, 05:23 PM

You shouldnt use lithium lube on the door latch.. a dry lube is recommended ex. graphite or lock lube. Wd-40 is ok because 99.9% of it evaporates anyway. And as bob said the switch is seperate from the latch. You can also disconnect the switch if you can live with the light not coming on etc when you open your door.

Rand

Mickey B. · #7 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 02:16 PM

Hi,
I'm new to this forum and sure glad that I've found it! I have the same problem with my '98 Ranger. The dome light stays on and the door ajar symbol on the instrument panel is illuminated. It also causes the key in the ignition warning to activate when I sit in my truck listening to the radio with the ignition switch in the ACC position.

jhdaniels · #8 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 04:43 PM

WD-40 stopped my light from staying and the door chime. it works try it.
jhdaniels

JAY221 · #9 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 04:53 PM

The inital post didn't mention the door ajar light being on(I don't think it did anyway) . Is their a possibility that the dash light dimmer switch is all the way up turning on the dome light? The battery saver feature will turn them off after 40 minutes. Later, Jay

Mickey B. · #10 (**permalink**) 04-10-2003, 06:59 PM

I lubed the latch and switch, that fixed the dome light, chime and door ajar light problems. I was able put the dome light fuse I'd removed back in. The only other function it affected was the battery saver. And without a dome light that wouldn't go out the battery saver didn't have much purpose in life.
I don't have any of the other functions that were listed in the manual for that particular fuse so it wasn't a problem except for the lack of a interior light. Everything's back to normal now!

dandep · #11 (**permalink**) 04-14-2003, 03:40 PM

This also has happened to my 99 ranger as well as a buddys 99 Mazda which is the same truck. He replaced the little switch near the latch but he said it took 2 guys and about 2 1/2 hours to complete. He said it was a 7 dollar part and cost him more then that in band aids. Now me on the other hand didn't know about that so after a few weeks of getting frustrated I did the next thing us hot headed Italian would have done. I punched the light out driving down the highway one night. Now my wife is upset cause when gets in at night can't see anything. I'm going out there now to spray lube on it. Yahooooo
Thanks guys

tdf138 · #12 (**permalink**) 04-14-2003, 04:40 PM

Im so happy I found this forum !!!

Ive been driving around with my domelight on for 3 months

Thanks !!!

mike4947 · #13 (**permalink**) 06-04-2003, 04:01 PM

If worse comes to worse do what I did and pull the fuse for the dome light. Seems nothing esle on my '97 xlt was on that fuse and the dealer wanted $160 to "fix" the swithces.

john bergeson · #14 (**permalink**) 06-04-2003, 07:59 PM

I'm really surprised that nobody has mentioned the GEM module. It's a little box that mounts behind the stereo trim on the left. The circuits for the dome light, wiper delay, door ajar warning light and chime, (xmission shift signal?), and god knows what else are wired through it. My dome light stays on sometimes too. My wiper delay doesn't work and the wipers rest mid swipe if I have the switch in a delay position. I bought a new GEM module and put it in and the tranny wouldn't leave second gear. I found out later that the GEM needs to be programmed at the dealer.
I have a friend who's wipers turn on uncommanded while she's driving.
Grab a Hanes manual and check out the schematic. It shows how all of these functions are wired through the GEM quite nicely. And if you ever pop the case of the GEM open and look at the low quality junk thats soldered together inside, you'll be pissed that FORD is screwing you for $148 to buy a new one.

Ken00 · #15 (**permalink**) 06-04-2003, 08:07 PM

John,

The most common cause of the door ajar problem is the switch in the door and the wiper problem is normally due to problems at the multifunction switch. Just an FYI.