Weird electrical problems; Domelight not working HELP!!!!!

My cavalier has developed a strange electrical problem. The map lights, dome lights, and power mirrors all stopped functioning. I checked the fuse, and it's good. I've tested the fuse block with a volt meter and I'm not getting any power to that particular fuse. I pulled the whole block out and none of the wires are severed. I'm fresh out of ideas. Anyone have any suggestions?

I traced the wire clear through the dash and right to the firewall without any troubles. Once in the engine compartment though I ran into some trouble. I can see where the wires come through, but I can't get to them at all. Visibly the wires look fine, nothing bent or broken. Is there any kind of relay or breaker that may be the trouble?

My cavalier has developed a strange electrical problem. The map lights, dome lights, and power mirrors all stopped functioning. I checked the fuse, and it's good. I've tested the fuse block with a volt meter and I'm not getting any power to that particular fuse. I pulled the whole block out and none of the wires are severed. I'm fresh out of ideas. Anyone have any suggestions?

I traced the wire clear through the dash and right to the firewall without any troubles. Once in the engine compartment though I ran into some trouble. I can see where the wires come through, but I can't get to them at all. Visibly the wires look fine, nothing bent or broken. Is there any kind of relay or breaker that may be the trouble?

Nice to meet you extreme3411. I suspect since the dome light does work (suppose to) when the key is NOT in the ignition that the power source for this circuit is supplied via fusible link. The fusible link is located at the starter. The positive battery cable attaches to the starter and so does your fusible links. To test these, use a pointed test light, attach the clip end to the battery Negative or ground. Probe the fusible links back 6-8 inches from the starter, test light should light on all of them. When you find the one that does not light the test light, you found your problem..

CAUTION: FUSIBLE LINK WIRE MUST BE USED TO REPAIR THIS BLOWN FUSIBLE LINK WIRE AS THE WIRE ITSELF IS A FUSE. Napa or any parts store will carry fusible link wire by gauge size, take yours with to the store to match sizing. Only the wires attached to the starter on the same lug as the positive battery cable will have fusible links, the purple starter wire has power only when cranking from the ign switch..

Hope this helps you out...

Im sorry...i must not have been too clear. The dome light doesnt work at all. Whether the key is on or not, it doesnt work.

Im sorry...i must not have been too clear. The dome light doesnt work at all. Whether the key is on or not, it doesnt work.

I am sorry, you where clear. I was saying the dome light works on a fusible link located at the starter.

would that have anything to do with the power mirrors, trunk light, or glove box light not working?

would that have anything to do with the power mirrors, trunk light, or glove box light not working?
Yes it would because they all work when the key is off. Fusible links are fuses to circuits that do not work through a fuse, check fusible links at starter really cheap to fix.

I know its been a while...I havent figured this out yet....but im back at it! There doesnt appear to be any fusible links at the starter for this! any other ideas?

Also upon further inspection.....the all fuses have power....and all fuses are good! Im so stumped!

Door switch ? or broken wire going thru loom between door and body or ........lol. bad ground same location .......shot in the dark buddy good luck

take out the fuse and try piggy backing a 10amp fused link to both sides of the fuse, if it blows on one side.. there is a short there- if not try applying ground to the ground side of your domelight

When checking for power available for the fuse, did you check the correct side of the fuse? (nothing personnel, I do dumb stuff like that) Worse case, run a new wire to the fuse. If it is a broken wire in the wiring harness, it'll be a real pain to find and replace.:rolleyes:

I have the EXACT same symptoms and problems, ever find a solution? I have been looking forever...97 cavalier Z24

Does the vehicle have theater lighting (delayed turn off of the courtesy lamps)?

Does the vehicle have theater lighting (delayed turn off of the courtesy lamps)?

If you mean do the lights dim slowly then yes. Or at least they did when they were working, Not sure on the map lights in the rear view mirror but the dome light for sure. Somewhere in the wiring under there there has to be a relay or something and it has to cross the power mirrors and the lights because we used to be able to poke around at the wires and have it come back temporarily and it is always those 2 systems that go out and come back in unison so they are connected somewhere but I don't know where, the manual I have does not even show me a wirring diagram for the power mirrors so i can not even trace them back.

any more ideas?

dug deeper into the dash an got the black chime box off, the part chev told me could not be the problem...it was the problem , went to a wrecker and pulled one out of a newer wrecked cavi and everything works again. So anyone having these same issues now you know how to fix it.

My 90 Cav has the same problem. Any chance you can post where this chime box is located. I found where my hazard switch is. Would that box be at the same location?

My 90 Cav has the same problem. Any chance you can post where this chime box is located. I found where my hazard switch is. Would that box be at the same location?

Your hazard switch is under the drivers side isn't it?? I am not sure about yours, you have a generation before mine. Where I found it on mine is under the dash on the passenger side of my car, had to lay on my back half out the door and look up the right hand side of the car with a flash light to get at it. It is a black box with a wiring harness plugged into it, it is plugged into the same thing as the horn relay if that helps for your year. Mine had a giant white sticker all around it so it should not be hard to see up there. Chev wants way to much for a new one, your best bet is to get one out of a wreck if you can find one, just match the part numbers up. I have a 97 the box I put in it came out of a 2001 I think, don't quote me on that, I know it was newer then mine, but it also controls stuff like your automatic dimmers and what not, the part number was diffrent for the cars that were not a full load, mine being a full load was a little harder to find. Hope that helps.