'93 Interior lights on , ignition ? chime on

Hi everyone. New problem with the old wagon :confused:

Started engine. 30 secs later all interior lights came on and 'chime' sounding non-stop :banghead:
Checked all the doors, no problems noted.
Lights staying on no matter what.
'Chime' will occasionally stop when ignition jiggled.
With car not running and key removed interior lights remain on but chime doesn't sound.
Tried the WD40 trick listed in other posts. No difference.
Do I have 2 seperate issues ? Or is the ignition chime/interior light thing linked ?
As driving is frustrating ( 'ding' 'ding' 'ding' on & on ) and I didn't want the battery dead in the am I pulled fuse #8 and that has solved the light and 'ding' issue but I know I need to do something more appropriate.
Suggestions anyone ?

Thanks :biggrin:
Jenny

During any of this was the "Door ajar" light illuminated in the instrument cluster? Did you verify that the rear liftgate was closed and latched? Maybe 30 seconds in and while you jiggled the ignition the hatch moved and opened/closed the switch, turning the lights and dinger on/off.

Did you try cleaning the switch in the rear liftgate when you did the doors?

-Rod

During any of this was the "Door ajar" light illuminated in the instrument cluster? Did you verify that the rear liftgate was closed and latched? Maybe 30 seconds in and while you jiggled the ignition the hatch moved and opened/closed the switch, turning the lights and dinger on/off.

Did you try cleaning the switch in the rear liftgate when you did the doors?

-Rod

Hi Rod ,
In answer to your questions :
"Door ajar" light not illuminated.
Yes, verified all doors & rear liftgate closed & latched several times.
Yes, cleaned all switches including rear liftgate too.

The interior lights did NOT turn off when the dinger stopped. They stay on all the time.
The only way I've got the lights to turn off is by removing fuse #8 .
When jiggling the ignition the ding would sometimes stop for a few seconds or a few minutes but invariably would come back on. Only 'dinging' with key in ignition and car running.

Thanks for your help :)
Jenny

Do you know if your car does or ever did have an aftermarket security or remote start system installed?

Does your wagon have illuminated entry, where if you unlock the doors with the remote keyless key fob the interior lights come on, or the keypad on the door that will turn the interior lights on? Lifting an exterior door handle would also activate the illuminated entry.

Fuse 8 is a 15-amp fuse, correct? It provides power to the Illuminated Entry Module as does fuse 5 (also 15-amp). Fuse 8 also provides power for the power antenna, digital clock, instrument panel dimmer, radio/CD player, power mirrors, liftgate ajar switch, door ajar switches, glovebox light, and interior lights.

If you have illuminated entry, it would be interesting to disconnect the illuminated entry module and see if your light and chime problems go away.

-Rod

Hi Rod ,
Unknown if ever had security/remote start system installed. It's a '93 and honestly looks like very little was ever done to it .

Yes, has illuminated entry . ( lift door handle lights come on , though not now with fuse removed ) . Key entry only.

Yes, fuse #8 is a 15 . Your list of should not work items is intresting . Tested all and found the instrument panel dimmer and liftgate ajar both still work . Others listed do not.

Hmm ?

Still think it may be an illuminated entry module issue ?
If so where is it and any recommendations on disconnecting ?

Thanks again for your wealth of information :smile:

Jenny

I'd still be leaning towards the illuminated entry module. Some of the items on that circuit vary depending on if it's a wagon or sedan. Maybe I missed a note or two. Also, I pulled the wiring diagram for a 1994 since it was more handy than the 1993 manual. There could be some differences (although it would surprise me) between those two years.

I'll have to check the manual this evening to determine where the illuminated entry module is located and what else might be effected by temporarily disconnecting it.

-Rod

Thanks Rod :biggrin:

It's a '93 taurus wagon.

Jenny

Hey Rod, I thought could help out on the advice load here between the VERY nice CDs that somehow came into my possession :grinyes: and my wagons for reference. I thought I could weigh in ( and not loose a PCM in the process on this one :screwy: :crying: :banghead:. Sorry Jenny, inside joke/disaster).

The Illuminated entry module (remote keyless entry module) is located in the rear left hand quarter panel. It is probably visible when you remove the tire compartment cover. I'll look at mine to help find it.

Ok, I'm back. You will need to pull the spare tire, jack and tire iron. Then peel back the gray felt padding that is held by plastic trim clips. There's a trim tool that can be bought but pliers and screwdrivers might get you by. You could leave the clips in place and carefully pull the padding off the clips hopefully not tearing the padding. The module is behind the metal inner wall directly above where the threaded rod that secures the tire is hooked to the same inner wall. There will be two shiny hex head screws holding it in place. I found mine by using the remote listening and then feeling it click. BTW, the remote won't work some keys if too close to the inside of the car as a safety feature I assume.

Jenny, since you comment in post #5 says, "Key entry only" I suspect you don't have the remote keyless entry. The illuminated entry module will be in the same location as tripletdaddy describes, you just won't have the luxury of being able to use the remote fob to listen/feel for the remote click. It's an either or, either the illuminated entry module will be installed, or the remote keyless entry module will be there.

-Rod

Ok guys .
FINALLY got to work on the old Taurus.
( it was raining and I've no shelter. Then my computer went out so I didn't have access to your great instructions )

So I've removed the 'module' as described. It is completely disconnected and removed away from the vehicle. Replaced fuse and immediately the interior lights came back on and that darn ignition dinging is back when the key is in with the car running.

I'd welcome your thoughts on what to try next :-)
Thanks,
Jenny