I just bought 02 E350 van and dome light in cabin vas little bit of melted and then I found out the other dome light in cargo section ( together with third brake light) has broken light bulb. Light in the cabin is actually missing from connector to light bulb. I was told at Ford dealer I have to buy whole piece of wire with connector and socket and bulb for 60$. Does anyone know where to buy just another side of connector with socket for bulb? <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
After replacing bulb in cargo section I found out it is staying on all the time, with engine on-off, open and closed doors. I was told it could be turned off by switch for headlights, but it doesn't work. All those spring switches looks fine, they don't get stuck. <o></o>
Anybody has idea what the problem could be?<o></o>
This **** for headlights clicks just in one possition, right?
Thank you.

 

I don't think there are any individual parts for the dome lights themselves--especially the contact tabs I think you mention. If there's a pick n pull type outfit near you take a few tools and see what you can find--way less than $60. I've replaced several of the factory dome lights with Truck-Lite surface mount units---more light, easily installed and serviced if ever needed--take typical 1156 blubs, put out huge amounts of light.

If the lights stay on and its NOT the headlight switch turned into the dome on position its most likely one of the door contact pin switches. I'd first check the front doors---switches are screwed into plastic bushings that snap into the hinge pillars. Carefully pop them out with a small screwdriver or appropriate trim panel removal tool. These switches self adjust by simply installing them then closing the door---they've be pushed into the mounting nut just enough to break the circuit. Occasionally they'll get pushed too far into the nut so that they don't ever break contact leaving the dome lights on.

Sounds to me like the melted lens and burnt contacts are from being left on too long which would suggest its the door switches themselves. They're readily available from NAPA or some place similar and easy to change yourself.

Hope this helps

 

I was just wondering, should the light turn off if I pull out bad door contact pin switch? Would that work? Is that how I can find which switch is bad?

 

Short answer is yes----once the contact pin switch is disconnected the light should turn off. Before pulling any pin though push each pin in with a finger, one door at a time, to see if the adjustment has been changed. Most often this is the cause---those switches seem to be very durable.

IF the dome light goes out when pushed in it might be best to change it because if its "slipped" in the screw mount its likely to do the same soon again.

 

I guess I am screwed. I disconnected all of them and dome light is still on. Any other ideas what it could be?
BTW thank's for trying help.

 

If removing all the switches doesn't affect it you've got a short somewhere---I'd kinda suspect the main headlight switch at the moment.

If this is just a cargo van I'd start by removing the rear and front dome light assemblies, looking for shorts etc. You'll need to pull them out far enough to expose some of the wiring bundles and connectors--look for damage like crushed insulation etc. In a cargo van the front headliner is easily dropped by removing the sun visors and 5 or so clips across the back along with the door weather stripping. This might help------might still show you nothing

Follow the wiring bundle from the rear dome light along the upper left body looking for more signs of damage etc.

Then again I'm still drawn to the main headlight switch because the dome lights require power to be sent to them not simply grounding them in order to turn on. The door switches will also send power but the head light switch still has priority over every other dome light switch.

It would be rare in my experience for the head light switch to exhibit this BUT previous owner could have twisted it too far counter clockwise causing this malfunction.

Sorry I can't be more helpful but without seeing the van in question I'm just relating what I'd be looking at first.