New Member with a problem! Please Help!
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New User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8
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From: Alamogordo, New Mexico
New Member with a problem! Please Help!
I am a 16 year old girl that knows a little bit about trucks but not this problem. Please help me! 
My dad just bought me a 95' Ford Ranger (It is a standard 2wd, without power steering) and I love it! Well without power steering it is kind of hard to drive expecially because it is a standard. I just got a tool box, bed rails, seat covers, it has nice rims on it and everything, BUT..... There is only one problem. The dome light will not shut off. I have the fuse out right now because when you put it in the light never shuts off. I don't want to leave it on all the time cause of course I don't want my battery to go dead but it is really hard to see anything when I go out and go somewhere at night without a light. Has anyone else had this problem? Can anyone tell me anything? I would greatly appriciate any information from any of you that know about or have had or have of this problem. Thank you so much!
*Michele from New Mexico*
My dad just bought me a 95' Ford Ranger (It is a standard 2wd, without power steering) and I love it! Well without power steering it is kind of hard to drive expecially because it is a standard. I just got a tool box, bed rails, seat covers, it has nice rims on it and everything, BUT..... There is only one problem. The dome light will not shut off. I have the fuse out right now because when you put it in the light never shuts off. I don't want to leave it on all the time cause of course I don't want my battery to go dead but it is really hard to see anything when I go out and go somewhere at night without a light. Has anyone else had this problem? Can anyone tell me anything? I would greatly appriciate any information from any of you that know about or have had or have of this problem. Thank you so much! *Michele from New Mexico*
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New User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8
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From: Alamogordo, New Mexico
New Member with a problem! Please Help!
Oh' I forgot to add something to the problem. It is not only the dome light that will not turn on. In the dash under the speedometer. I guess it is where the door ajar and all other warning lights are never had come on either. Nothing has ever shown up in that box. Please help me with that too. If you can.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8
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From: Alamogordo, New Mexico
New Member with a problem! Please Help!
I tryed the wd-40 and it didn't work. Is there any other thing I could try? Could it possibly just be a bad switch? (the dimmer switch?) Do you think if I put my own switch in the truck to operate just the dome light it would work? I already bought a toggle switch but don't know where the wires are going from the dome light and don't know where to put the switch so it would be easy to do. Please help!?!
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 648
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From: Canyon Lake, Tx. 78133
New Member with a problem! Please Help!
Have you tried the "dimmer" switch on the dash for the "panel lights"? I'm not trying to insult you or anything, but if it is "turned all the way up", it will keep the dome light on and panel lights bright. Oh yes, WELCOME to FTE and good luck!
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New User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Alamogordo, New Mexico
New Member with a problem! Please Help!
yes retired2001 that is the first thing I checked. I am blonde but I don't act it. But no it is not up all the way. 
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Cypress, CA
New Member with a problem! Please Help!
Michele: Sometimes the switch in the door jamb can cause this problem. Sometimes WD-40 and the like will take care of the problem however it sounds like it did not for you. So, on to page 2: If you have a NAPA dealer nearby, they have a wonderful electrical and brake cleaner in an aerosol can for around $3. Use that to clean the switches on both doors - right and left. This product could easily remove some contaminant that the WD-40 will not address. If that does not solve the problem then the switches will need to be removed and cleaned or replaced.
With a volt meter you can check the switches for proper operation. With the button depressed you should NOT have continuity across the two terminals - open circuit - and with the button out (door open) you should have continuity or electricity passing through the switch to turn on the dome light.
Look to be sure that when the door is closed that the switch button is indeed being depressed - open circuit. If the switch has been damaged or pushed out of alignment this could easily be the problem.
Keep us posted.
Russ
With a volt meter you can check the switches for proper operation. With the button depressed you should NOT have continuity across the two terminals - open circuit - and with the button out (door open) you should have continuity or electricity passing through the switch to turn on the dome light.
Look to be sure that when the door is closed that the switch button is indeed being depressed - open circuit. If the switch has been damaged or pushed out of alignment this could easily be the problem.
Keep us posted.
Russ
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2003
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New Member with a problem! Please Help!
I had the door ajar/dome light thing and I replaced the switch inside the door. The switch cost like $10 at Ford dealership and took me about an hour to do the first door and 5 mins to do the second door. It was not hard but they mix phillips screws and allen wrench screws to discourage the home mechanic, and then the switch was stuck in place.
Don't worry too much about this. It is a simple, inexpensive, pervasive problem with Rangers and you just have to locate what switch or bulb is malfunctioning. May take a little research but not a big problem.
Don't worry too much about this. It is a simple, inexpensive, pervasive problem with Rangers and you just have to locate what switch or bulb is malfunctioning. May take a little research but not a big problem.