I'm helping a friend with his '01 Explorer, whose dome light isn't working from the driver's door. Did a quick Google and found a number of excellent answers and how-tos on this site, all focusing on the door switch. Problem: the door ajar light works properly, presumably clearing the switch.

My understanding is that the dome light is triggered by the GEM via a relay.

When I considering the following:

- The dome light turns on via the headlight switch;
- The dome light turns on by opening the passenger door;
- The dome light does not turn on by opening the driver's door; and
- The driver's side door ajar functionality works -

I am led to conclude that the fault would lie in the GEM module.

If the GEM is indeed bad, then the light will probably just stay out.

But is there something else that I might be missing? Thanks.

 

When using the dimmer switch to activate the interior lights the system bypasses both the GEM and the Interior Lamp Relay. Current for the interior lights is provided directly through the dimmer switch.

That doesn't explain why other doors seem to cause the interior lights to function....

If the engine is running and the driver's door opened, does the Door Ajar light still come on? Does the Door Ajar light go out as soon as the driver's door is closed? Does the interior light come on when the engine is running and driver's door opened?

-Rod

 

Thanks for the reply, and for the direct current info regarding the dimmer switch operation - I'd assumed that it went through the GEM as well. I will pass your questions on to my friend (Mark). I will also reconfirm that the passenger door works. I'm pretty sure that he said that it does - if so, that should clear the relays. But I was also assuming that the dimmer switch operation tested them, so I didn't press it.

 

Well, it turns out I was misinformed - it isn't just the driver's door, it is all the doors that don't work. In other words, almost certainly a relay problem, which is well documented. Tanks again for the help.