Hello All
I have a 2000 explorer that i just got and was cleaning it up and got finished and went to drive home and had not used the headlights yet and found that the dimmer switch was in the off position, I turned it up to see the dash guages and the interior light would not go off, like a door was opened. I played with it 5 minutes. and then it was off.
I would like to know is this standard, is it on a timer? or do i need to replace the switch?

thank you in advance
charles

 

So when you first got in it, the dash and interior lights were not on with the engine running. You turned up the dimmer dial to be able to see the instruments and the interior light came on even with the door closed and the vehicle moving?

If you rotate the dimmer all the way past the detent for full brightness it will turn on the interior lights. You do not want to rotate the dimmer all the way to bright unless you want the interior lights on. There should be a "bump" in the dial just before you enable the interior lights.

If the concern is after you turned off the engine and exited the vehicle the interior lights stayed on, that is the exit delay and is normal. The lights will go off after several seconds, or once you lock the doors.

-Rod

 

I would like to fix the interior light to be off when all doors are closed. I have the dimmer in the down position almost to turn interior lights off and they are still on. I tried placing in gear, turning on headlights. Is there ia sensor for the automatic for the lights. I will try the switches at each door when i get it into a garage. Thanks

 

If it were a door switch in the latch I would expect you to have a "Door Ajar" indication in the instrument cluster when driving. I don't recall if the interior lights have a slide switch to turn them off, on, and activated by the door. You might check the one in the cargo area to see if it is turned to the "On" position or check your owner's manual.

-Rod

 

If the above suggestions still don't pan out, I would recommend replacing the switch and installing a headlight relay harness. The reason for the harness, is it takes the electrical stress of the headlights off the high resistance switch, This not only keeps the headlight switch from overheating and causing the problem that you seem to be experiencing, but it also makes you headlights brighter.

 

thanks, i never heard of a head light relay harness, I will have to check on the light switch. next to the head light switch is a dimmer and it turns on the interoir or off

thanks

 

OK I braved the 20 degree weather and played with the doors more. After i put it in drive it will go off after a minute. but when i park and turn off the motor and remove the key and open the door the light will not go off even after an hour. So I was started looking for the door switch and WELL where is it at? in the door?
thanks

 

It's integrated in to the door latch. You'll want to use (preferrably) some electrical parts cleaner or electrical contact cleaner to clean out the latch and switch. Once the cleaner evaporates, use some Caig brand DeOxit to clean the door pin switch even better. You won't be able to see the switch, you just have to trust that you're getting it when spraying into the latch. After cleaning, operate the door a few times and see if the interior light begins to behave again.

-Rod

 

OK thank you very much, I will be able to get into a garage friday, to cold now.