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Help with dome light please.

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Old Nov 10, 2013 | 07:33 PM
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Help with dome light please.

I have been searching all over the forums and still can't figure this one out. My dome/cargo lights will not work with the dash switch or when any door opens while the key is on. They do work when I use my key fob to unlock the doors or when I first shut the truck off. My door switches are working fine, I think, I get the door ajar on the dash when either door opens and it does not stay on when they are shut. but here is the weird part. When I start the truck with the door open, it locks the door like it is not recognizing the door is open I am guessing probably Gem module, But could it be vsm? How can I be sure, what do I test? It is really starting to drive me crazy. Please help.
 
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Old Nov 10, 2013 | 08:30 PM
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There's a small relay in your fuse pannel under the steering wheel. Bottom or top I don't recall with 4 prong sticking out of the it where it plugs in. I had a random problem until one day it just went out and I could hear it clicking over the engine running. It's worth changing if you havent yet.
 
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Old Nov 10, 2013 | 08:45 PM
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Thanks, I did try that too. no change.
 
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Old Nov 10, 2013 | 09:33 PM
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The vsm relays are deep behind the radio. Basically at the firewall, pull radio and you can see the blAck cover. Size of snickers bar.

Cover just snaps over a tab on each end. I removed cup holder and entire lower dash to be able to remove the cover and relays.

No answer to prob. Sorry, not sure how vsm effects dome
 
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Old Nov 10, 2013 | 09:35 PM
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On second thought the vsm may not be those four relays. I checked mine from all door locks quiting at once.

Once cover off I used key fob and touched each relay to see if they clicked
 
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Old Nov 10, 2013 | 10:03 PM
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In me E99 I have 3 relays back there. There are 2 small ones and 1 larger one, not sure about the smaller two but the big one is your turn/flasher relay.
 
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Old Nov 11, 2013 | 06:10 PM
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So could be vsm relays?
 
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Old Nov 12, 2013 | 02:08 AM
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Give this a try, can't hurt. Spray WD-40 into the door latches on your truck, some dirt and grime could have gotten in there. But usually the sign of this fix would be that when you come to a stop the dome lights would turn on by themselves.
 
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Old Nov 12, 2013 | 09:51 AM
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what year and model do you have?
 
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Old Nov 12, 2013 | 01:09 PM
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It's in my signature. E99 F-250. My issue was a little different as the dome lights pretty much had a mind of it's own turned on coming to a stop, took of at about 15MPH the went off, turned off at key off door open, etc. Someone mentioned to spray a little WD into there and I figured can't hurt and fixed it up after I wired a toggle switch from the fuse box, go figure. Unfortunately to me yours does sound like it's also elsewhere.
 
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Old Nov 12, 2013 | 06:54 PM
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I have an early 99 xlt ext cab.
 
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Old Nov 12, 2013 | 06:59 PM
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It should be the same. It just locks into your rear door vs the crew cab locking on the post. I'm just trying think of a simple fix first before you start tearing your truck apart. Again the way you describe it the odds are slim to none but it can't hurt anything.
 
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Old Nov 13, 2013 | 07:31 PM
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Almost positive its not the door switch, but thanks. Anybody have any experience with how to determine if this could be the gem or vsm?
 
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Old Nov 13, 2013 | 08:17 PM
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I'm going to bump this, hopefully someone can chime in with a schematic. or go to search at the top center.
 
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Old Nov 14, 2013 | 06:31 PM
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No ideas anybody?
 
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