Courtesy/interior lights not working

We just bought a 2003 Windstar SE, the door ajar indicator is on on the dash all the time but the courtesy/dome lights don't come on with any of the doors open. The lights will come on manually with the headlight switch, does anyone have any ideas? I am pretty sure these are controlled by the GEM module.

Are you saying that the dome lights come on when you turn the headlights on with the headlight switch???

Regarding the door ajar light, use some wd 40 or pb blaster to clean the door jams then apply a lithium grease to the jams and see if that clears the light.

The interior dimmer switch could also be faulty.

No the dome lights work properly with the headlight switch. What I am trying to figure out is if the door ajar light is on the dome lights should be on all the time & they never come on when the doors are open or does the door ajar light not have any bearing on the operation of the dome lights?

No the dome lights work properly with the headlight switch. What I am trying to figure out is if the door ajar light is on the dome lights should be on all the time & they never come on when the doors are open or does the door ajar light not have any bearing on the operation of the dome lights?


I am not familiar with the 2003, but I assume that there is a dimmer switch that controls the dash lights (brighten or dimmes them) and also controls turning on the dome lights. When the door ajar light is on, usually from the rear hatch door the dome light will not turn off. (I learned the hard way, ruining a battery) This is on my 98. In my 98 the headlight switch does not control the dome lights.

I thought the switch that controls the brightness or dimness of the dash lights was part of the headlight switch but it's not sorry for the confusion. The only way to turn the dome/courtesy lights on is with the instrument panel dimmer switch.

What I want to know is do the switches that turn on the door ajar indicator also turn on the dome/courtesy lights or are they controlled by separate switches? I have no dome/courtesy lights unless I manually turn them on but I have a door ajar light on the dash whenever the ignition is turned to the run position or when the engine is running.

I thought the switch that controls the brightness or dimness of the dash lights was part of the headlight switch but it's not sorry for the confusion. The only way to turn the dome/courtesy lights on is with the instrument panel dimmer switch.

What I want to know is do the switches that turn on the door ajar indicator also turn on the dome/courtesy lights or are they controlled by separate switches? I have no dome/courtesy lights unless I manually turn them on but I have a door ajar light on the dash whenever the ignition is turned to the run position or when the engine is running.

On my 98 the switches on the doors do activate the dome light, when the door ajar light is on for the back hatch door the dome light is on. Not sure about side doors. I would spray the door jams to clean them and then lubricate with a lithium grease. That should at least turn off the door ajar light. Do each door seperately to see which one is setting the door ajar light.

On my 98 the switches on the doors do activate the dome light, when the door ajar light is on for the back hatch door the dome light is on. Not sure about side doors. I would spray the door jams to clean them and then lubricate with a lithium grease. That should at least turn off the door ajar light. Do each door seperately to see which one is setting the door ajar light.

This is out of 2002-03 CD

The rear electronic module (REM) controls the outputs to all interior lighting with the exception of the
stepwell/puddle lamps which are controlled by the front electronic module (FEM). The courtesy lamp mode
switch is hardwired to the instrument cluster module. When the courtesy lamp mode switch is placed in the
desired position, the instrument cluster will send a message to the FEM and the REM through the SCP
connection network. The liftgate and left/right power sliding door ajar switches are hardwired to the REM.
When any door is ajar, the module which the door ajar switch is hardwired to will send a message through the
SCP link to the appropriate module in order to enable the courtesy lamps. The REM and FEM will command
the appropriate lamps ON when an input is received from the courtesy lamp mode switch or from any door ajar
switch. Demand lighting is controlled by the individual switch unless the switch is placed in the courtesy
position. If a demand lamp switch is in the courtesy position, the switch will function when the courtesy lamps
are commanded ON. Fault management of the interior lamps will provide limited functionality in the event of
certain dome or lighting mode inputs, vehicle speed or ignition switch failures. All interior lighting is powered
by the switched system power (SSP) feature. For additional information, refer to SWITCHED SYSTEM
POWER (SSP) . A failure of all or any of the SSP features will cause inoperative interior lighting. When
diagnosing interior lighting it is essential to determine if all related symptoms and DTCs are controlled by the
SSP feature. The illuminated exit feature can be enabled or disabled using the diagnostic tool, for additional
information, refer to MODULE CONFIGURATION .
Switched System Power (SSP)
The SSP is invoked by both the FEM and REM. This function removes power from relays that provide power to
the exterior lamps, interior lamps, and power door locks. This is only accomplished when both the FEM and the
REM are in sleep mode. The sleep function of the FEM and REM places the modules in sleep mode when the
ignition switch is in the OFF position, and no wake up (inputs) signals occur for 30 minutes. The module will
not sleep if the parking lamps or the hazard lamps are active. The following relays are controlled by the SSP
function: SSP1, SSP2, SSP3, and SSP4. When either the FEM or REM are not in sleep mode, all SSP relays
will be energized. Each relay, when energized, will supply power to multiple features/functions. For additional
information, refer to the SSP Relay Index for diagnosis and testing of SSP related issues

Thank you, that is the info I was looking for.

Just in case, the front doors control the dome lights from the door latch, you might want to try and clean them as suggested above.

The rear door plungers are also another common problem, clean them with wd-40 too and if it doesn't solves it use a copper wire brush. Finally there is a switch at the back of the doors, this one controls the dome lights, you might wan to check those too.

For the rear hatch, the latches at each side of it are used.

Oscar.

I have the exact same problem with a 2003 Ford winstar. How did you fix it?

I have the exact same problem with a 2003 Ford winstar. How did you fix it?

hi i was sent some good advice. they suggested to clean sensors inside doors as well as the latches with wd-40 it worked!

I just had the exact same symptoms as the original poster on my 2002 model. Sprayed PB Blaster inside both latches on the rear hatch and it freed up whichever one of them was stuck.
Figured out it was the rear hatch by having the engine running and opening each door individually. The only door that did not set off a chime when open was the hatch.
Also, as a side note, when I checked the relay for the interior lighting, it was very warm. I guess from being energized all day? I think the lights are controlled in such a way that if a door is left open for too long, they are all disabled to save the battery. And that is why none of the lights will work properly until whatever switch is fixed/cleaned, and the system has a chance to cycle, to reset itself (open & close).