Dome lights

This has puzzled me for years. When I was a kid, it seemed like they functionede normally and predictably. Three positions. But the last few years, the switch positions seems to turn the light on of off unpredictably.
I've got a 1998 Nissan Altima now that turns the light on in two positions - but never just when the door opens. This function for some weird reason seems to fail on every car I've had recently.
Any clues about this?

Check the rubber covered pin switches in the door jambs, they can break easily enough.

By the way I also think that the whole thing is in the contacts that are in the door and fires right at closing.